Glossary Flashcards

1
Q

Chemautotroph

A

An organism that gains its metabolic energy from chemical reactions eg. nitrifying bacteria

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Ozone

A

Triatomic oxygen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Stratosphere

A

The layer of the atmosphere that absorbs UV and contains the ozone layer.
it is above the troposphere at an altitude of approx. 6 to 30 miles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Dynamic equilibrium

A

A combination of active processes which cancel out each others effects so there is no overall change

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Troposphere

A

The layer of the atmosphere below the stratosphere from ground level to approx. 6 miles altitude

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Infrared (IR) radiation

A

Long wavelength electromagnetic radiation emitted from warm objects

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Nuclear fusion

A

The release of energy during the joining of hydrogen atom nuclei

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Electromagnetic radiation

A

Energy in the form of energy waves with a range of frequencies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Global climate change

A

The various changes to the climate caused by increased energy being retained in the atmosphere as a result of human activities

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Greenhouse effect

A

The natural processes by which atmospheric gases allow visible light to pass through but absorb infrared energy, causing heating

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Enhanced greenhouse effect

A

An alternative name for global climate change

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Tropospheric ozone

A

Ozone in the troposphere, largely produced by human activities

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

El Nino

A

The name given to the reversal of the equatorial pacific ocean current that normally flows westwards

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

La Nina

A

The name given to the strengthening of the westward flowing equatorial pacific ocean current

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Positive feedback mechanism

A

A situation where an initial change causes a reaction that increases the original change

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Negative feedback mechanism

A

A situation where n initial change causes a reaction that decreases the original change

17
Q

Kyoto protocol

A

The international agreement intended to control emissions of greenhouse gases

18
Q

HFCs

A

Hydrofluorocarbons are a group of chemicals used of replace CFCs

19
Q

HCFCs

A

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons are a group of chemicals used to replace CFCs

20
Q

MEDCs

A

More economically developed countries

21
Q

Anthropogenic

A

Something made or caused by human activities

22
Q

CFCs

A

Chlorofluorocarbons are pollutants that cause ozone depletion and contribute to global climate change

23
Q

Infiltration

A

The process by which surface water enters the ground between particles of soil or rock

24
Q

Ultraviolet (UV) light

A

High energy electromagnetic radiation including the short wavelength radiation emitted by the sun.
Its energy can cause chemical reactions to take place such as in the ozone layer or sunburn and DNA damage

25
Q

Montreal protocol

A

International agreement that has controlled the release of ozone depleting substances