Key Terms Flashcards
1
Q
Abiotic factors
A
Physical factors such as light, temperature and water.
2
Q
Active traffic management (ATM)
A
A method of controlling road lane usage and speed limits to smooth traffic flow and reduce congestion.
3
Q
Acute
A
Exposure to a substance or symptoms that appear rapidly.
4
Q
Adsorption
A
The process where a substance fixes onto a surface.
5
Q
Aerobic processes
A
A process that takes place in the presence of oxygen.
6
Q
Aerodynamics
A
The study of airflow over surfaces to allow the design of surfaces that reduce wind resistance, turbulence, friction and noise generation.
7
Q
Afforestation
A
Planting trees to increase the area of forest.
8
Q
Albedo
A
A measure of the reflectivity of a surface.
More reflective surfaces have high albedos.
9
Q
Anaerobic process
A
A process that takes place in the absence of oxygen.
10
Q
Antarctic treaty (1959)
A
An international agreement signed by many countries to protect and manage Antarctica.
Aspects of the treaty include control of military activities, waste disposal, mineral exploitation, wildlife conservation and tourism.
11
Q
Anthropogenic
A
Adjective describing outcomes caused by human activities.
12
Q
Aquifer
A
A rock which contains water that is abstracted by humans.
13
Q
As low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)
A
An approach to control of pollution, especially ionising radiation, where levels are kept as low as is practically achievable, taking into account economic and technological factors.
14
Q
Atmosphere
A
The gases surrounding the Earth.
Different layers are characterised by their temperature, density, turbulence and composition.
15
Q
Bag filter
A
A method reducing atmospheric pollution caused by smoke and particulate matter.
16
Q
Barrage
A
A dam built across an estuary to generate tidal power.
17
Q
Beating tray
A
A method of sampling invertebrates on the branches of bushes and small trees.
18
Q
Best available technology not entailing excessive cost (BATNEEC)
A
An approach to pollution control where control technology is used that achieves the lowest emission levels, without costing so much that further marginal gains would risk their financial viability.
19
Q
Bioaccumulation
A
The increase in concentration of a substance in living tissue as it is absorbed and stored faster than it is broken down and excreted.
20
Q
Biodegradable
A
A material that can be broken down by living organisms, usually bacteria.
21
Q
Biodiversity
A
A measure of the variety and abundance of wildlife species.
22
Q
Biogeochemical cycle
A
A series of linked processes which use and re-use elements as they move between biotic and abiotic reservoirs.
23
Q
Bioleaching
A
A method of using bacteria to dissolve metals from low grade ores.
24
Q
Biological corridor
A
A habitat that links other habitats so that animals can move between them.
25
Biomagnification
The progressive bioaccumulation of a material along a food chain
26
Biomass
The total mass of living, or recently living material in an area.
27
Biomimetics
The study of living organisms so the knowledge gained can be applied to engineering or other technological developments.
28
Baby blue syndrome
A health problem with several possible causes, where the haemoglobin in a baby’s blood does not carry enough oxygen.
29
Captive breeding and release programmes (CBR)
A method of boosting wild populations by keeping a breeding population in captivity.
Some of the offspring produced may be released to join the wild population.
30
Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
A method to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, by removing the gases and storing them in underground geological structures.
31
Carbon sequestration
Any process which removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
32
Carcinogen
A substance or energy form that can cause cancer.
33
Catalytic converter
A device that reduces emissions of pollutant gases from petrol and diesel engines.
34
Catch quota
A limit on the quantity of fish that can be caught.
35
Cetacean
Marine mammals including whales, dolphins and porpoises.
36
Chronic
Exposure to a substance or symptoms that appear over long periods of time.
37
Clean air act (1956)
UK legislation to control smoke pollution by the establishment of Smoke Zones by making Control Orders in large urban areas.
38
Climax community
The relatively stable community of species present at the end of ecological succession.
39
Community of species
is made up of the populations of ALL the species living in a particular area.
40
Contamination
Pollution caused by the pollutant staying in contact or mixing with materials such as soil, atmosphere, water or living organisms.
41
Contour ploughing
A soil erosion control measure where land is cultivated by ploughing horizontal furrows along the contours of the land.
42
Coppicing
The process of regularly cutting down tree branches close to ground level.
43
Cradle to cradle
The concept of designing items such that all the materials used can be reused or disposed of without leaving toxic or harmful wastes.
44
Critical group monitoring
A method of monitoring pollutants, particularly radioactive discharges.
45
Critical path analysis
The prediction of the routes that an effluent will take in the environment, to assess pollution risk.
46
Cryposhere
All the frozen water on Earth.
47
Culling
Reducing the population of a species by selective killing.
48
Cut off ore grade
The lowest purity of a mineral that can be exploited economically.
49
dB scale
A logarithmic scale used to measure sound levels.
50
Decomposers
Organisms that break down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients in the process.
51
Deflected succession
Natural ecological succession is stopped by human actions.
52
Deforestation
The action of removing trees, resulting in a reduction in forest area.
53
Degradability
A measure of the ease with which a material breaks down.
54
Dendrochronology
The method of determining the age of a piece of wood using the characteristic sequence of sizes of growth rings in the wood.
55
Desulfurisation
The removal of sulfur or compounds containing sulfur such as sulfur dioxide.
56
Detritivores
They often break up the dead organic matter into smaller pieces, providing access to decomposers.
57
Dynamic equilibrium
A balance created by active processes whose impacts cancel each other out.
58
Ecological niche
The role that an organism plays in its habitat, including its use of resources and its inter-relationships with other species.
59
Ecological succession
The sequences of changes in community composition which changes as an area is colonised and develops until a climax community is eventually produced.
60
Ecosystem
The community of organisms living in an area, their inter-relationships and interactions with their abiotic environment
61
EDNA
DNA detected in environmental samples such as water or soil that is used to confirm the presence of the species that produced it.
62
El Niño
when the wind and ocean currents in the equatorial Pacific Ocean slow significantly or reverse
It alters heat distribution and weather patterns around the Pacific area and elsewhere in the world.
63
Embodied energy
The amount of energy that was used to make and install an item.
64
Endemic
indigenous (‘native’) to a particular area and is not naturally found elsewhere.
65
Energy density
The amount of energy in a particular mass of fuel or that can be harnessed by a particular mass of equipment.
66
Eutrophication
The process by which nutrient levels in a water body increase to excessive levels such that the growth and subsequent die-off of plants and algae cause deoxygenation.
67
EDGE species
species that are threatened with extinction and have few relatives that are genetically similar.
68
Exposure
an object or person receiving radiation, but not necessarily coming in contact with the source.
69
Ex-situ
The conservation of a species in an area which is NOT its natural habitat.
70
Feedback mechanisms
A process where an action has consequences which affect the original process.
Positive feedback mechanisms increase the rate of the original action while negative feedback mechanisms reduce it.
71
Flagship species
High-profile species that can be used to raise support for the conservation of their habitat and all the other species that live there.
72
Gravimetry
A geological exploration technique that detects changes in the force of gravity.
73
GHG
A gas that absorbs infra-red radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface and causes atmospheric heating
74
Haber process
The industrial process that combines nitrogen from air with hydrogen from natural gas to produce ammonia.
75
Half life
The time taken for half of a material to be lost or broken down.
76
Hard release
release of animals from captivity where they are not provided with post-release support such as food.
77
Homeostasis
The maintenance of a state of equilibrium.
78
HAWT
Wind turbines where the blades rotate around a generator that has a horizontal axis of rotation.
79
Hydraulic fracturing
A method using high pressure fluids to open cracks in fine-grained shales to allow trapped oil and gas to flow so it can be extracted.
80
Hydroelectric power
generating electricity using the downhill flow of water to turn turbines and generators.
81
Hydrogen economy
proposal that hydrogen produced by electrolysing water could be used as the main fuel to meet a country’s energy demands.
82
Hydrology
study and understanding of the movement, distribution and properties of water in the environment.
83
Hydrosphere
All the water on Earth, found in solid, liquid or gaseous form in a variety of reservoirs
84
Hydrothermal deposition
The deposition of mineral deposits from hot mineral-rich solutions.
85
In situ conservation
The conservation of a species in its natural environment.
86
In stream turbines
Tidal turbines that are rotated by marine currents, but without having a barrage to focus the water flow.
87
International union for conservation of nature (IUCN)
an organisation of 1300 government and non-governmental organisations that provides information on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it
88
International whaling commission (IWC)
an international organisation which aims to ensure the sustainable exploitation of whales.
89
Keystone species
species that has much more important ecological functions within their ecosystem than their abundance might suggest.
90
Kick sampling
A method of sampling aquatic invertebrates by disturbing the substrate.
91
Kinetic energy recovery system (KERS)
A method of slowing a vehicle by using the kinetic energy of the vehicle to turn a flywheel or charge batteries.
92
La Niña
when the wind and ocean currents in the equatorial Pacific Ocean increase in strength.
93
Laser fusion
developmental nuclear fusion technique that uses a laser beam to cause fusion in beads of frozen hydrogen.
94
Leachate
Drainage water that carries other substances, either in solution or as suspended solids.
95
Legumes
Plants with symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria in root nodules
96
Light traps
method of sampling populations of night-flying organisms that are attracted to lights, especially moths.
97
Lincoln index
A catch, mark, release, recapture method of estimating animal populations.
98
Liposolubility
A measure of how easily a substance dissolves in fats and oils
99
Lithosphere
The relatively hard outer layer of the Earth comprising the crust and upper layer of the mantle.
100
Local nature reserve (LNR)
designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act (1949) for their local importance for wildlife, geology, education or public enjoyment.
101
Magnetometry
A method of detecting mineral deposits based on their magnetism.
102
Magnetosphere
The magnetic field around Earth which deflects charged particles travelling from the Sun.
103
Marine conservation zone (MCZ)
designated under UK law to protect a range of nationally important marine wildlife, habitats, geology and geomorphology, and can be designated anywhere in English and Welsh territorial and offshore waters.
104
Marine nature reserve (MNR)
MNRs were designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) by Natural England (or CCW).
105
Marine protected area (MPA)
A general name for marine areas that are legally protected for their wildlife, historical and cultural features.
106
Maximum sustainable yield (MSY)
The greatest amount that can be harvested sustainably.
107
Metamorphic processes
Geological processes that change the form of a rock with heat and/or pressure, but without melting it.
108
Monoculture
The growth of a single type of crop, usually over a large area.
109
Montreal protocol
The international agreement that controlled the manufactured and use of CFCs and other ozone depleting substances.
110
Multicropping
A form of polyculture where two or more different crops are grown in an area at the same time.
111
Mutagen
A material that can cause changes in DNA structure.
112
National nature reserve (NNR)
They are designated under UK law by the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act (1949). They include important habitats with complete communities of species
113
Natura 2000
A network of protected sites in the EU that combine the SPAs and SACs set up under the EU birds and habitats directives.
114
Neonicotinoids
A widely used group of insecticides. They have been linked with the deaths of bees, especially when they act synergistically with some fungicides.
115
Neurotoxin
A poison that affects the nervous system.
116
Nuclear fission
Nuclear power that involves the splitting of the nuclei of large atoms such as uranium 235 and plutonium 239.
117
Nuclear fusion
Nuclear power that involves the joining of the nuclei of small atoms such as hydrogen 2 (deuterium) and hydrogen 3 (tritium).
118
Organochlorines
Hydrocarbon-based compounds that include chlorine. They include pesticides such as DDT and industrial chemicals
119
Organophosphate pesticide
Insecticide group eg parathion, malathion. They are not persistent but have high mammalian toxicity.
120
Overburden
The soil and rock above a mineral deposit that must be removed to provide access.
121
Pantograph
The electricity pick-up on the roof of a locomotive that allows the use of electricity from overhead cables.
122
Peak shaving
The process of storing surplus energy to satisfy later peaks in demand.
123
Peat bog
A wetland area with an accumulation of dead plant material, especially moss.
124
Permafrost
A layer of soil in which the water is permanently frozen, often trapping bubbles of gases such as methane.
125
Persistence
A measure of the rate at which a material breaks down and therefore the length of time it remains.
126
Photoautotroph
An organism that produces high-energy food substances using sunlight in photosynthesis.
127
Photochemical smogs
Atmospheric pollution events in which pollutants such as hydrocarbons, NOx and tropospheric ozone interact to produce more toxic pollutants such as PANs
128
Photothermal
A system that converts light into heat.
129
Photovoltaic (PV)
A system that converts light into electricity.
130
Phytomining
A method used to extract metals that have been absorbed and concentrated by plants.
131
Phytoremediation
A method of decontaminating a polluted site by growing plants that absorb the toxic materials.
132
Pioneer species
One of the first species to colonise an area at the start of ecological succession.
133
Pitfall trap
A method of sampling populations of mobile animals that live on the soil surface, by collecting individuals that fall into traps set into the ground.
134
Plagioclimax
A community of species that does not develop to a natural climatic climax community, but is maintained by external influences
135
Ploughing
The cultivation of the soil by turning over the surface layer.
136
Plutonium reactors
Nuclear fission reactors that use plutonium as the fissile fuel.
137
Polar vortex winds
Winds that blow around the north and south poles in a circular manner which reduce the mixing of polar air masses with the rest of the atmosphere.
138
Pollarding
The process of regularly cutting down tree branches above ground level, usually to prevent the regrowth being eaten by animals
139
Pollen analysis
The use of the pollen present in environmental samples.
140
Population
All the individuals of a species living in a particular area.
141
Primary oil recovery
The extraction of crude oil where the oil is forced to the surface by the pressure of water beneath the oil
142
Power to gas systems (P2G)
A method of using surplus electricity which would be wasted to produce methane gas.
143
Proxy data
The use of data that can be collected to predict the values of a related factor that cannot be measured,
144
Pumped storage HEP
An energy storage system where surplus electricity is used to pump water from a lower reservoir to a higher one.
145
Pyrethroids
Synthetic insecticide pesticides, based on the natural chemicals
146
Quadrat
An area, usually square or circular, in which samples are taken.
147
Rammed earth
A wall construction method where materials such as clay, soil, straw and sand are compacted.
148
Ramsar site
A wetland site designated to protect its biodiversity under an international agreement
149
Range of tolerance
The range of conditions within which a species can survive.
150
Relative biological effectiveness (RBE)
This is a measure based on the amount of energy absorbed from ionising radiation which takes into account the damaging effects of the type of radiation.
151
Remote sensing
Any method of monitoring the features of a location from another location, normally used to describe surveys from satellites or high-flying aircraft.
152
Resistivity
A method of predicting the mineral composition of mineral deposits underground using the ease with which they conduct electricity.
153
Reverse thrusters
A method used on most aircraft to slow down after landing.
154
Re-wilding
The process of creating habitats that are similar to the conditions present before the natural habitat was changed by human actions
155
Risk:benefit analysis
A method to inform decision making by comparing the risks of carrying out an activity with the benefits of doing so.
156
r-selected species
Species that have a relatively high breeding capacity: they often mature at a young age and have large numbers of young.
157
Salinity
A measure of the salt concentration of a solution.
158
Satellite imagery
The collection of images using satellites: visible light, infra-red, microwaves etc.
159
Secondary fuel
An energy source that is produced by the conversion of a primary fuel.
160
Secondary oil recovery
The extraction of crude oil where pressure is maintained by pumping water or natural gas into the oil reservoir.
161
Secondary succession
Ecological succession that takes place in an area where the existing climax community has been disturbed or destroyed.
162
Seismic surveys
These use sound waves produced at the surface that reflect off underground geological structures to determine the depth and shape of the rock structures. The reflected sound waves are detected by geophones at the surface.
163
Sere
A stage in ecological succession in the changes that occur, eventually producing the climax community.
164
Shellfish
All the aquatic animals that are caught or grown to be eaten that have shells or an exoskeleton eg crustaceans and molluscs.
165
Sievert
A unit of absorption of ionising radiation absorption that takes into account the amount of energy absorbed and the Relative Biological Effectiveness of the type of radiation.
166
Sievert
A unit of absorption of ionising radiation absorption that takes into account the amount of energy absorbed and the Relative Biological Effectiveness of the type of radiation.
167
Simpson’s index of biodiversity
A quantitative measure of the number of species and the abundance of each in an area.
168
Sites of special scientific interest (SSSI)
SSSIs are designated by Natural England (or CCW) under UK law by The Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) because of their importance for plants, animals, geological features or land forms.
169
Smart motorways
A method of relieving traffic congestion which allows driving on the hard shoulder and reduces the speed limit during periods of heavy traffic flows.
170
Smog
Atmospheric pollution event involving smoke and fog (see also photochemical smog).
171
Soft release
The release of animals from captivity where they are provided with post-release support such as food.
172
Somatic
An issue related to general body cells, but not the gonads (ovaries and testes).
173
Sonograms
A graph showing the volumes of sounds at different frequencies.
174
Special area of conservation (SAC)
SACs are designated by Natural England (or CCW) under the EU Habitats Directive to protect internationally important habitats for rare and vulnerable species.
175
Special protection area (SPA)
SPAs are designated by Natural England (or CCW) under the EU Birds Directive to protect areas for rare and vulnerable bird species.
176
Species
A group of organisms that resemble each other more than other organisms and naturally interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
177
Sterile male techniques
A method of insect pest control that uses the release of males that have been sterilised. If they mate, no offspring will be produced.
178
Strip cropping
The growth of more than one crop in alternating narrow strips, so that different sowing and harvesting times reduce soil erosion because the whole field is never all bare at the same time.
179
Surber sampler
A method of sampling aquatic invertebrates by disturbing the substrate that produces more reliable quantitative data than kick sampling.
180
Sweep nets
A method of sampling populations of flying insects and invertebrates among vegetation.
181
Synergism
The process where the presence of two materials produces a greater effect than the sum of their individual effects.
182
Systemic
A substance that is absorbed and transported throughout an organism eg by sap in plants.
183
Tar sands
Very viscous crude oil found in sand.
184
Taxon
A group of organisms based on their biological similarities eg domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.
185
Temperature inversion
A situation in the troposphere where the temperature is lower than normal so that relatively warm air lies above cold air.
186
Teratogen
A substance that interferes with gene function in a growing embryo so that a non-inherited birth abnormality is produced.
187
Terracing
The replacement of a sloping landscape by the creation of a series of narrow horizontal stepped strips, often used to reduce soil erosion.
188
Tertiary oil recovery
The extraction of crude oil where the viscosity of the oil is reduced using methods such as the injection of steam, solvents or bacteria.
189
Thermal mass
A measure of the ability of a material or structure to absorb and store heat.
190
Thermal stratification
The changing temperatures in different layers of the atmosphere.
191
Thermohaline circulation
The movement of ocean currents caused by changes in temperature, salinity and density.
192
Thorium reactor
A reactor that uses thorium 232 as a fertile fuel. Neutron bombardment converts the thorium 232 into uranium 233 which is fissile and releases energy.
193
Tidal barrage
A tidal power scheme where a dam-like barrage is built across a bay or estuary so that all flowing water flows through the sluice tunnels in the barrage causing the turbines and generators to turn.
194
Tidal lagoon
A tidal power scheme where a section of a bay or estuary is impounded by a seawall which has sluice tunnels and turbines like a tidal barrage. The environmental impacts are lower than those of a barrage as it only covers part of the bay or estuary.
195
Tidal power
A method of generating electricity using the tidal water flow caused by the gravitational forces between the Moon and Earth.
196
Tied ridging
A method of reducing soil erosion by creating a grid of raised ridges that cause rainfall to collect, increasing infiltration and reducing runoff.
197
Tillage
The cultivation by turning the soil eg by ploughing.
198
Tipping point
A tipping point is reached when the changes caused by human activities cause further changes such that the human activities are no longer needed to maintain the changes.
199
Topography
The 3D shape of the land surface.
200
Toroidal reactor
A nuclear fusion reactor in which hydrogen plasma is held in a torus: a ring-shaped tube.
201
Toxicity
A measure of how poisonous a substance is, usually caused by its ability to cause enzyme inhibition.
202
Transect
A line or belt of sampling sites across an area.
203
Transgenics
The process of artificially transferring genetic material from one organism into an individual of another species.
