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03_PA > OBJ 1.2 > Flashcards

OBJ 1.2 Flashcards

Evaluate site-specific environmental constraints

1
Q

Riparian

A

Riparian is a term in environmental science meaning inhabiting or situated on a bank of a river or other body of water. Related terms include riparian zone, riparian rights, riparian buffer, and semi-riparian.

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2
Q

Radon

A

Radon is a naturally occurring cancer-causing soil gas. It is colorless, tasteless, and odorless. Spaces that are below grade are at higher risk for radon exposure.

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3
Q

Superfund

A

Superfund is a program of the United States federal government designed to fund cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous waste and pollutants.

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4
Q

Brownfield

A

Land that is known or suspected to be contaminated with pollutants. Examples include both former industrial sites and gas stations.

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5
Q

Greenfield

A

Land that has never been built upon.

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6
Q

Alluvium

A

A deposit of sand, mud, etc. formed by flowing water.

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7
Q

Loam

A

A rich, friable soil containing a relatively equal mixture of sand and silt and a somewhat smaller proportion of clay.

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8
Q

Humus

A

The dark organic material in soils, produced by the decomposition of vegetable or animal matter and essential to the fertility of the earth.

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9
Q

Lead

A

Lead is an element that was commonly used in certain building materials, such as paint and piping, especially in buildings constructed before the 1980s. Lead-based paint, one of the most common causes of lead poisoning, was banned from use by the federal government in 1978. Care must be taken to mitigate instances of lead during the renovation of buildings constructed earlier.

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10
Q

Floodplain

A

The floodplain is an area of land adjacent to a stream or river, beginning at the banks and ending at enclosing valley walls. (This can be a gradual sloping up or abrupt change in topography.) This lower-lying area is prone to flooding in heavy rainfalls, and building is discouraged within a floodplain.

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11
Q

Soil Problems in Construction

A

Low bearing capacity, settlement, differential settlement, expansive soils, slippage, shrinkage, heaving, groundwater, soil moisture, poor drainage, organic material, and seismic.

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12
Q

TDR

A

TDR stands for transfer of development rights. It allows land owners to sell their development rights to others who can then use them to increase development rights such as density on another site.

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13
Q

Acid Rain

A

Precipitation that contains sulfuric or nitric acid collected from the air. Acid rain is harmful to aquatic life and has a corrosive effect on many building materials, particularly metal and stone.

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14
Q

Catch Basin

A

Collects surface run-off and passes it to the storm drainage system.

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15
Q

Hard Water

A

As water filters down through the ground, it dissolves minerals, making the water “hard.” It is not hazardous but can cause deposits in plumbing pipes and water heaters.

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16
Q

Backdrafting (HVAC)

A

When combustion gases from a furnace, water heater, or similar do not exhaust properly and get into the building. It can cause death.

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17
Q

Turbidity

A

A measure of water quality that measures the amount of visually apparent suspended particulate such as sand and microbes in the water.

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18
Q

________ is the cloudiness of water caused by a large number of extremely fine particles. A measurement of this is a key test in water quality.

A

Turbidity.

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19
Q

Coagulation

A

Aluminum or other chemicals are added to water to get particles to stick together in water treatment in order to be filtered out.

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20
Q

Constructed Wetland

A

Man-made wetlands designed to provide the same qualities as their natural counterparts.

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21
Q

Point Source Pollution

A

Pollution from a single source, such as a factory or chemical spill.

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22
Q

Dioxins

A

Highly toxic and persistent (meaning they don’t break down) environmental pollutants. They are mostly by-products of industrial processes.

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23
Q

TDR

A

Transfer of development rights. Allows landowners to sell their development rights to others, who can then use them to increase development rights such as density on another site.

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24
Q

Acid Rain

A

Precipitation that contains sulfuric or nitric acid collected from the air. Acid rain is harmful to aquatic life and has a corrosive effect on many building materials, particularly metal and stone.

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25
Q

Sludge

A

The solid portions of sanitary sewer waste is held in an anaerobic (no oxygen) digester where bacteria feed on it. The resulting material is called sludge.

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26
Q

Clay

A

Determined by the size of particles and composition, clays are chemically different from their parent materials as a result of weathering. Inorganic with grain sizes of less than .0002 inches in diameter. Clay contains charged particles, has an affinity for water, and exhibits cohesion and plasticity. Makes satisfactory bearing material under some conditions. Long-term settlement will control allowable bearing pressure.

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27
Q

Silt

A

Consists of inorganic particles between .003 and .0002 inches in diameter. These fine-grained particles are similar in composition to the rocks from which they are derived and are not plastic in nature. Found at the bottom of lakes and river deltas.

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28
Q

Sand

A

Varying from fine to course, these rock particles range in size from .003 to .079 inches in diameter. Adequately compacted, sand is an ideal bearing material. The coarser it is, the higher the allowable bearing pressures. Settlement is usually immediate, with little long-term settlement.

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29
Q

Gravel

A

Classifications of gravel vary from fine to coarse, and these unconsolidated rock fragments range from .75 to about 3 inches. Except for shale composites, this is a good foundation material with very high bearing pressures by some building codes.

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30
Q

Cobbles

A

Ranging in size from 3 to 10 inches, these rock fragments can make a reliable foundation-bearing material but can be difficult to properly compact when used for fill. Cobble-sized materials can interfere with pile driving and drilled-pier construction, causing significant problems.

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31
Q

Boulders

A

Typically classified as rock fragments larger than 10 inches across , these can be used as part of a fill mass if the voids between them are filled with finer-grained sands and silts. These materials are generally not considered suitable for direct foundation support because of their size and shape and the difficulty of excavating the material to desired shapes. Can cause significant problems in construction.

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32
Q

Bedrock

A

Unbroken hard rock that is not over any other material. Depending upon its composition, bedrock can be capable of withstanding extremely high bearing pressure and is desirable for foundations supporting high loads. If weathered or cracked, the bearing capacity might be compromised. Settlement of buildings on bedrock is primarily limited to elastic settlement of the foundation.

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33
Q

Residuum

A

Consists of soil derived from the in-place decomposition of bedrock materials. These soils are more weathered near the surface and gradually transition to a more rocklike material with depth.

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34
Q

Colluvial Soils

A

Because materials are transported by gravity, these soils are generally irregular in composition and loose. They are typically associated with landslides. They require improvement prior to being used to support buildings and pavements.

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35
Q

Aeolian Soils

A

These soils are transported and deposited by the wind. Typically, they consist of silt- or sand-type soils.

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36
Q

Till

A

Mixture of clay, silt, sand, gravel, and boulders deposited by glaciers. Well-graded consolidated tills are exceptionally strong and make excellent foundation strata.

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37
Q

Cohesionless Soils

A

These types of soils consist of cobbles, gravels, sands, and non-plastic silts. They are generally formed from the mechanical weathering of bedrock brought about by water, ice, heat, and cold. Typically composed of the same materials as the parent rock. Strength is derived from interparticle friction.

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38
Q

Carbon Monoxide

A

Poisonous to humans, this gas is odorless and colorless. 90% of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere is a by-product of vehicle emissions from internal combustion engines.

39
Q

Nitrogen Oxide

A

In a group of highly reactive gases that contain nitrogen and oxygen in varying amounts, this is the most common and can be seen as a reddish-brown layer over many urban areas. It is the main ingredient in smog.

40
Q

Particulate Matter

A

Microscopic particles that comprise dust, soot, smoke, and other airborne debris.

41
Q

Ozone

A

One of the most familiar criteria pollutants, present in multiple locations such as the ground level and the stratospheric level, which protects the planet from the sun’s UV radiation.

42
Q

Sulfur Dioxide

A

Similar to nitrogen oxide, this contributes to acid precipitation when combined with airborne water vapor. The mix can, over time, erode stone, metal, rubber, and plastic materials and structures.

43
Q

Green Book

A

Maintained by the U.S. EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, Air Quality Planning and Standards Division, this document provides data on areas of the country where air pollution levels persistently exceed the national ambient air quality standards.

44
Q

Attainment Area

A

Geographic area in which air has been determined through monitoring and modeling to have criteria pollutant levels below the primary standard.

45
Q

Air Quality Index

A

Provides information on pollution concentrations for the six criteria pollutants.

46
Q

1990 Clean Air Act

A

Established a list of 189 toxic air pollutants for which the U.S. EPA must establish categories of sources for their release.

47
Q

Precipitation

A

Includes rainfall, snowfall, and hail. The annual amounts, temporal distribution, and intensity vary geographically. A significant amount returns to the atmosphere through evaporation and transpiration.

48
Q

Evapotranspiration

A

Evaporation occurs on land and water surfaces. Transpiration, from plants, returns water to the atmosphere. Together this is called __________.

49
Q

Surface Runoff

A

This is precipitation that runs off the land’s surface and flows downhill. Precipitation, soil type, slope, and vegetation all influence it. Areas with low permeability soils, steep slopes, and space vegetation have the highest recharge rates.

50
Q

Recharge

A

Refers to water that infiltrates the land’s surface and percolates downward to the underlying water table (or the upper surface of groundwater). Areas with highly permeable soils, minimal slope, and sparse vegetation have the highest rates of ______.

51
Q

Groundwater

A

This is present in saturated ground where all the pore spaces are completely filled with water. It moves slowly, less than one foot per day.

52
Q

Basin

A

Typically defines a major river, estuary, or lake drainage area that covers several thousand square miles. It may cover major portions of a state or group of states.

53
Q

Sub-basin

A

Smaller in area than a basin, ranging from several hundred square miles in area.

54
Q

Watershed

A

A sub-basin is composed of a set of even smaller watersheds, usually in the range of ten to a few hundred square miles.

55
Q

Sub-watershed

A

A watershed composed of these typically ranges in size from a few to several square miles. Often defined as the land area above the confluence of two second-order streams.

56
Q

Catchment Area

A

Sub-watersheds are composed of a group of ____________. They are usually measured in acres and can be defined as the land area above a given point that drains to the first intersection of a stream.

57
Q

Watershed Planning

A

Broadly defined as a suite of zoning and land-use management techniques applied to help align compatible land uses with resource quality.

58
Q

Land Conservation

A

This encompasses the choices and methods for preserving land in its natural condition.

59
Q

Aquatic Buffer

A

Establishing this involves alternative approaches to protecting stream, shoreline, and wetland riparian corridor areas.

60
Q

Erosion and Sediment Control

A

This involves a suite of practices and construction behaviors oriented toward minimizing erosion and maximizing capture of sediment on-site.

61
Q

Stormwater Best Management Practices

A

Involves a suite of practices and behaviors that manage and treat runoff after the construction cycle is complete.

62
Q

Nonstormwater Discharges

A

Also called illicit discharge management, this encompasses the identification, control, and management of pollutants entering the environment from failed wastewater systems, inappropriate or illicit connections to the drainage system, and control of pollutants from household and industrial products.

63
Q

Watershed Stewardship

A

Identifies the myriad programs, outreach, and involvement of citizens and watershed activists who participate in “green-up” days, tree-planting events, and habitat-enhancement workshops.

64
Q

Aquifers

A

Subsurface areas that hold groundwater from which significant quantities of groundwater can be extracted.

65
Q

Relationship of Aquifers and Land Use

A

Land uses that overlay on aquifers have effects on hydrologic and water quality. Impervious surfaces preclude direct aquifer infiltration and recharge, thereby reducing available water supply. If land uses are located in aquifer recharge areas, water quality can be affected.

66
Q

Riparian Corridors

A

Bands of vegetation that flank a channel or lake, these provide important habitats, filter suspended sediments from floodwaters, and uptake nutrients from shallow groundwater, leading to better water quality.

67
Q

Percolation Test

A

This is a test method that determines the rate at which soil absorbs effluent. Used to test suitability of soil for a leach field.

68
Q

Baseline (Survey)

A

Parallel used as the basis for the east-west layout of the U.S. survey system.

69
Q

Standard Parallels

A

Parallels between baselines, following latitudes.

70
Q

Principal Meridian

A

Meridian (north-south line following longitude) that serves as the basis for the north-south grid layout of the U.S. survey system.

71
Q

Guide Meridian

A

Meridians between principal meridians.

72
Q

Contour Interval

A

Change in elevation between two contours. Smaller scale maps have larger intervals for legibility.

73
Q

Crown/Ridge

A

Contours point “down” toward lower elevation.

74
Q

Swale/Valley

A

Contours point “up“ toward higher elevation.

75
Q

Hills

A

Concentric circles with elevations getting higher toward the center.

76
Q

Depression

A

Concentric circles with elevations getting lower toward the center.

77
Q

Flood Zones

A

The various flood zones are defined by FEMA and shown on the flood maps.

78
Q

SFHA

A

Special Flood Hazard Area, a FEMA land designation that means an area is at high risk for flooding and flood insurance is mandatory. On a flood map, this is the area located within the 100-year floodplain.

79
Q

FEMA

A

Federal Emergency Management Agency; it publishes flood insurance maps.

80
Q

NFIP

A

National Flood Insurance Program.

81
Q

FIRMS

A

Flood Insurance Rate Maps, published by FEMA. These maps illustrate the flood risks in a community.

82
Q

BFE

A

Base Flood Elevation. Definition from FEMA: The BFE is the regulatory requirement for the elevation or floodproofing of structures. The relationship between the BFE and a structure’s elevation determines the flood insurance premium. (“Base Flood” is the same as the 100-year flood.)

83
Q

Floodway

A

Includes the channel of the stream and the adjacent floodplain areas.

84
Q

T Value

A

Tolerable soil loss. This is the amount of soil that can be lost due to erosion before new soil is created to replace it. Measured in tons per acre per year.

85
Q

Sink Hole

A

Depressions in the landscape created by the settling or collapse of the soil or rock into openings in the bedrock below.

86
Q

Storm Surge

A

When high winds force water ashore. Measured as the height of the water that rises above the high tide line.

87
Q

Subsidence

A

Gradual sinking or settling of the ground surface due to either natural or man-made causes.

88
Q

Landslide

A

Movement of large masses of earth or rock due to gravity. Common triggers include heavy precipitation, earthquakes, and man-made alterations such as cut and fill or redirected stormwater runoff to areas that are not prepared for it.

89
Q

Natural Site Hazards

A
  • Flooding - Seismic activity - Wildfires - Wind - Landslides - Subsidence These hazards are mapped to help a community assess its vulnerability, inform land-use decisions, and develop plans for mitigation.
90
Q

What are azimuth and altitude used for?

A

They are angles used to describe the position of the sun.

91
Q

True or false: Natural materials generally have a high albedo.

A

False. Natural materials have a low albedo because they reflect very little energy.

92
Q
A
93
Q

How do you drain the water?

A

03_PA (16 decks)

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