Human Influences On The Environment Flashcards
What is acid rain?
Rain that contains higher than normal concentrations of dissolved acidic gases, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which causes the rain to have a lower pH than normal .
What is deforestation?
The destruction of large areas of forest or woodland.
What is the enhanced greenhouse effect?
An increase in the greenhouse effect most likely caused by the release of additional greenhouse gases from human activity.
What is eutrophication?
The addition of nutrients to water, which may lead to water pollution.
What is global warming?
The warming of the earths surface and atmosphere, possibly as a result of an enhanced greenhouse effect.
What is the greenhouse effect?
The warming effect caused by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that prevent some of the heat energy radiated by the earth’s surface escaping into space.
What are greenhouse gases?
Atmospheric gases, such as carbon dioxide and water vapour, that trap some of the heat radiated from the earth’s surface and prevent it escaping into space.
What is leaching?
The loss of dissolved mineral nutrients in soil water as it soaks deep into the ground beyond the reach of plant roots.
What is pollution?
Damage to the environment, people and other organisms, often as a result of adding chemicals to the air, water or land.
What is sewage?
Human waste, faeces and urine, which needs to be disposed of.
What is soil erosion?
The washing away of soil as a result of rainfall when there is little vegetation to hold on to the soil.
