Key Terms Flashcards
Abiotic factors
Physical factors such as light, temperature and water.
Active traffic management (ATM)
A method of controlling road lane usage and speed limits to smooth traffic flow and reduce congestion.
Acute
Exposure to a substance or symptoms that appear rapidly.
Adsorption
The process where a substance fixes onto a surface.
Aerobic processes
A process that takes place in the presence of oxygen.
Aerodynamics
The study of airflow over surfaces to allow the design of surfaces that reduce wind resistance, turbulence, friction and noise generation.
Afforestation
Planting trees to increase the area of forest.
Albedo
A measure of the reflectivity of a surface.
More reflective surfaces have high albedos.
Anaerobic process
A process that takes place in the absence of oxygen.
Antarctic treaty (1959)
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.
Anthropogenic
Adjective describing outcomes caused by human activities.
Aquifer
A rock which contains water that is abstracted by humans.
As low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)
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.
Atmosphere
The gases surrounding the Earth.
Different layers are characterised by their temperature, density, turbulence and composition.
Bag filter
A method reducing atmospheric pollution caused by smoke and particulate matter.
Barrage
A dam built across an estuary to generate tidal power.
Beating tray
A method of sampling invertebrates on the branches of bushes and small trees.
Best available technology not entailing excessive cost (BATNEEC)
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.
Bioaccumulation
The increase in concentration of a substance in living tissue as it is absorbed and stored faster than it is broken down and excreted.
Biodegradable
A material that can be broken down by living organisms, usually bacteria.
Biodiversity
A measure of the variety and abundance of wildlife species.
Biogeochemical cycle
A series of linked processes which use and re-use elements as they move between biotic and abiotic reservoirs.
Bioleaching
A method of using bacteria to dissolve metals from low grade ores.
Biological corridor
A habitat that links other habitats so that animals can move between them.
Biomagnification
The progressive bioaccumulation of a material along a food chain
Biomass
The total mass of living, or recently living material in an area.
Biomimetics
The study of living organisms so the knowledge gained can be applied to engineering or other technological developments.
Baby blue syndrome
A health problem with several possible causes, where the haemoglobin in a baby’s blood does not carry enough oxygen.
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.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
A method to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, by removing the gases and storing them in underground geological structures.
Carbon sequestration
Any process which removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Carcinogen
A substance or energy form that can cause cancer.
Catalytic converter
A device that reduces emissions of pollutant gases from petrol and diesel engines.
Catch quota
A limit on the quantity of fish that can be caught.
Cetacean
Marine mammals including whales, dolphins and porpoises.
Chronic
Exposure to a substance or symptoms that appear over long periods of time.
Clean air act (1956)
UK legislation to control smoke pollution by the establishment of Smoke Zones by making Control Orders in large urban areas.
Climax community
The relatively stable community of species present at the end of ecological succession.
Community of species
is made up of the populations of ALL the species living in a particular area.
Contamination
Pollution caused by the pollutant staying in contact or mixing with materials such as soil, atmosphere, water or living organisms.
Contour ploughing
A soil erosion control measure where land is cultivated by ploughing horizontal furrows along the contours of the land.
Coppicing
The process of regularly cutting down tree branches close to ground level.
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.
Critical group monitoring
A method of monitoring pollutants, particularly radioactive discharges.
Critical path analysis
The prediction of the routes that an effluent will take in the environment, to assess pollution risk.
Cryposhere
All the frozen water on Earth.
Culling
Reducing the population of a species by selective killing.
Cut off ore grade
The lowest purity of a mineral that can be exploited economically.
dB scale
A logarithmic scale used to measure sound levels.
Decomposers
Organisms that break down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients in the process.
Deflected succession
Natural ecological succession is stopped by human actions.
Deforestation
The action of removing trees, resulting in a reduction in forest area.
Degradability
A measure of the ease with which a material breaks down.
Dendrochronology
The method of determining the age of a piece of wood using the characteristic sequence of sizes of growth rings in the wood.
Desulfurisation
The removal of sulfur or compounds containing sulfur such as sulfur dioxide.
Detritivores
They often break up the dead organic matter into smaller pieces, providing access to decomposers.
Dynamic equilibrium
A balance created by active processes whose impacts cancel each other out.
Ecological niche
The role that an organism plays in its habitat, including its use of resources and its inter-relationships with other species.
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.
Ecosystem
The community of organisms living in an area, their inter-relationships and interactions with their abiotic environment
EDNA
DNA detected in environmental samples such as water or soil that is used to confirm the presence of the species that produced it.
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.
Embodied energy
The amount of energy that was used to make and install an item.
Endemic
indigenous (‘native’) to a particular area and is not naturally found elsewhere.
Energy density
The amount of energy in a particular mass of fuel or that can be harnessed by a particular mass of equipment.
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.
EDGE species
species that are threatened with extinction and have few relatives that are genetically similar.
Exposure
an object or person receiving radiation, but not necessarily coming in contact with the source.
Ex-situ
The conservation of a species in an area which is NOT its natural habitat.
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.
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.
Gravimetry
A geological exploration technique that detects changes in the force of gravity.
GHG
A gas that absorbs infra-red radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface and causes atmospheric heating
Haber process
The industrial process that combines nitrogen from air with hydrogen from natural gas to produce ammonia.
Half life
The time taken for half of a material to be lost or broken down.
Hard release
release of animals from captivity where they are not provided with post-release support such as food.
Homeostasis
The maintenance of a state of equilibrium.
HAWT
Wind turbines where the blades rotate around a generator that has a horizontal axis of rotation.
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.
Hydroelectric power
generating electricity using the downhill flow of water to turn turbines and generators.
Hydrogen economy
proposal that hydrogen produced by electrolysing water could be used as the main fuel to meet a country’s energy demands.
Hydrology
study and understanding of the movement, distribution and properties of water in the environment.
Hydrosphere
All the water on Earth, found in solid, liquid or gaseous form in a variety of reservoirs
Hydrothermal deposition
The deposition of mineral deposits from hot mineral-rich solutions.
In situ conservation
The conservation of a species in its natural environment.
In stream turbines
Tidal turbines that are rotated by marine currents, but without having a barrage to focus the water flow.
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
International whaling commission (IWC)
an international organisation which aims to ensure the sustainable exploitation of whales.
Keystone species
species that has much more important ecological functions within their ecosystem than their abundance might suggest.
Kick sampling
A method of sampling aquatic invertebrates by disturbing the substrate.
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.
La Niña
when the wind and ocean currents in the equatorial Pacific Ocean increase in strength.
Laser fusion
developmental nuclear fusion technique that uses a laser beam to cause fusion in beads of frozen hydrogen.
Leachate
Drainage water that carries other substances, either in solution or as suspended solids.
Legumes
Plants with symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria in root nodules
Light traps
method of sampling populations of night-flying organisms that are attracted to lights, especially moths.
Lincoln index
A catch, mark, release, recapture method of estimating animal populations.
Liposolubility
A measure of how easily a substance dissolves in fats and oils
Lithosphere
The relatively hard outer layer of the Earth comprising the crust and upper layer of the mantle.
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.
Magnetometry
A method of detecting mineral deposits based on their magnetism.
Magnetosphere
The magnetic field around Earth which deflects charged particles travelling from the Sun.
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.
Marine nature reserve (MNR)
MNRs were designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) by Natural England (or CCW).
Marine protected area (MPA)
A general name for marine areas that are legally protected for their wildlife, historical and cultural features.
Maximum sustainable yield (MSY)
The greatest amount that can be harvested sustainably.
Metamorphic processes
Geological processes that change the form of a rock with heat and/or pressure, but without melting it.
Monoculture
The growth of a single type of crop, usually over a large area.
Montreal protocol
The international agreement that controlled the manufactured and use of CFCs and other ozone depleting substances.
Multicropping
A form of polyculture where two or more different crops are grown in an area at the same time.
Mutagen
A material that can cause changes in DNA structure.
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
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.
Neonicotinoids
A widely used group of insecticides. They have been linked with the deaths of bees, especially when they act synergistically with some fungicides.
Neurotoxin
A poison that affects the nervous system.
Nuclear fission
Nuclear power that involves the splitting of the nuclei of large atoms such as uranium 235 and plutonium 239.
Nuclear fusion
Nuclear power that involves the joining of the nuclei of small atoms such as hydrogen 2 (deuterium) and hydrogen 3 (tritium).
Organochlorines
Hydrocarbon-based compounds that include chlorine. They include pesticides such as DDT and industrial chemicals
Organophosphate pesticide
Insecticide group eg parathion, malathion. They are not persistent but have high mammalian toxicity.
Overburden
The soil and rock above a mineral deposit that must be removed to provide access.
Pantograph
The electricity pick-up on the roof of a locomotive that allows the use of electricity from overhead cables.
Peak shaving
The process of storing surplus energy to satisfy later peaks in demand.
Peat bog
A wetland area with an accumulation of dead plant material, especially moss.
Permafrost
A layer of soil in which the water is permanently frozen, often trapping bubbles of gases such as methane.
Persistence
A measure of the rate at which a material breaks down and therefore the length of time it remains.
Photoautotroph
An organism that produces high-energy food substances using sunlight in photosynthesis.
Photochemical smogs
Atmospheric pollution events in which pollutants such as hydrocarbons, NOx and tropospheric ozone interact to produce more toxic pollutants such as PANs
Photothermal
A system that converts light into heat.
Photovoltaic (PV)
A system that converts light into electricity.
Phytomining
A method used to extract metals that have been absorbed and concentrated by plants.
Phytoremediation
A method of decontaminating a polluted site by growing plants that absorb the toxic materials.
Pioneer species
One of the first species to colonise an area at the start of ecological succession.
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.
Plagioclimax
A community of species that does not develop to a natural climatic climax community, but is maintained by external influences
Ploughing
The cultivation of the soil by turning over the surface layer.
Plutonium reactors
Nuclear fission reactors that use plutonium as the fissile fuel.
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.
Pollarding
The process of regularly cutting down tree branches above ground level, usually to prevent the regrowth being eaten by animals
Pollen analysis
The use of the pollen present in environmental samples.
Population
All the individuals of a species living in a particular area.
Primary oil recovery
The extraction of crude oil where the oil is forced to the surface by the pressure of water beneath the oil
Power to gas systems (P2G)
A method of using surplus electricity which would be wasted to produce methane gas.
Proxy data
The use of data that can be collected to predict the values of a related factor that cannot be measured,
Pumped storage HEP
An energy storage system where surplus electricity is used to pump water from a lower reservoir to a higher one.
Pyrethroids
Synthetic insecticide pesticides, based on the natural chemicals
Quadrat
An area, usually square or circular, in which samples are taken.
Rammed earth
A wall construction method where materials such as clay, soil, straw and sand are compacted.
Ramsar site
A wetland site designated to protect its biodiversity under an international agreement
Range of tolerance
The range of conditions within which a species can survive.
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.
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.
Resistivity
A method of predicting the mineral composition of mineral deposits underground using the ease with which they conduct electricity.
Reverse thrusters
A method used on most aircraft to slow down after landing.
Re-wilding
The process of creating habitats that are similar to the conditions present before the natural habitat was changed by human actions
Risk:benefit analysis
A method to inform decision making by comparing the risks of carrying out an activity with the benefits of doing so.
r-selected species
Species that have a relatively high breeding capacity: they often mature at a young age and have large numbers of young.
Salinity
A measure of the salt concentration of a solution.
Satellite imagery
The collection of images using satellites: visible light, infra-red, microwaves etc.
Secondary fuel
An energy source that is produced by the conversion of a primary fuel.
Secondary oil recovery
The extraction of crude oil where pressure is maintained by pumping water or natural gas into the oil reservoir.
Secondary succession
Ecological succession that takes place in an area where the existing climax community has been disturbed or destroyed.
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.
Sere
A stage in ecological succession in the changes that occur, eventually producing the climax community.
Shellfish
All the aquatic animals that are caught or grown to be eaten that have shells or an exoskeleton eg crustaceans and molluscs.
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.
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.
Simpson’s index of biodiversity
A quantitative measure of the number of species and the abundance of each in an area.
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.
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.
Smog
Atmospheric pollution event involving smoke and fog (see also photochemical smog).
Soft release
The release of animals from captivity where they are provided with post-release support such as food.
Somatic
An issue related to general body cells, but not the gonads (ovaries and testes).
Sonograms
A graph showing the volumes of sounds at different frequencies.
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.
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.
Species
A group of organisms that resemble each other more than other organisms and naturally interbreed to produce fertile offspring.
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.
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.
Surber sampler
A method of sampling aquatic invertebrates by disturbing the substrate that produces more reliable quantitative data than kick sampling.
Sweep nets
A method of sampling populations of flying insects and invertebrates among vegetation.
Synergism
The process where the presence of two materials produces a greater effect than the sum of their individual effects.
Systemic
A substance that is absorbed and transported throughout an organism eg by sap in plants.
Tar sands
Very viscous crude oil found in sand.
Taxon
A group of organisms based on their biological similarities eg domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.
Temperature inversion
A situation in the troposphere where the temperature is lower than normal so that relatively warm air lies above cold air.
Teratogen
A substance that interferes with gene function in a growing embryo so that a non-inherited birth abnormality is produced.
Terracing
The replacement of a sloping landscape by the creation of a series of narrow horizontal stepped strips, often used to reduce soil erosion.
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.
Thermal mass
A measure of the ability of a material or structure to absorb and store heat.
Thermal stratification
The changing temperatures in different layers of the atmosphere.
Thermohaline circulation
The movement of ocean currents caused by changes in temperature, salinity and density.
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.
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.
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.
Tidal power
A method of generating electricity using the tidal water flow caused by the gravitational forces between the Moon and Earth.
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.
Tillage
The cultivation by turning the soil eg by ploughing.
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.
Topography
The 3D shape of the land surface.
Toroidal reactor
A nuclear fusion reactor in which hydrogen plasma is held in a torus: a ring-shaped tube.
Toxicity
A measure of how poisonous a substance is, usually caused by its ability to cause enzyme inhibition.
Transect
A line or belt of sampling sites across an area.
Transgenics
The process of artificially transferring genetic material from one organism into an individual of another species.
