S4.4.1 Glossary Flashcards
abiotic
An environmental factor which is not living
absorb
To take in
aerobic biological treatment
The use of bacteria to break down waste using oxygen
algae
Single celled organisms which live in water and can photosynthesise
ammonia
A compound released during volcanic eruptions
anaerobic digestion
The breaking down of waste without oxygen
anthropogenic
Changes which are caused by humans
atmosphere
The layer of gases which surround a planet
average temperature
The mean temperature, calculated using readings from around the world
biomass
The mass of an organism when all of the water is taken away
biotic
An environmental factor which is living
carbon dioxide
A greenhouse gas released during volcanic eruptions
carbon cycle
How carbon is recycled for use by organisms in the environment
carbon monoxide
A poisonous gas produced by incomplete combustion
climate change
Changes in weather patterns, global temperatures, seasons, etc.
combustion
Burning
concentration
The amount of something, e.g. in a liquid or in an area
condensation
The change of state when a gas cools to form a liquid
consequences
The result of something happening
desalination
The removal of salt from saltwater
distribution
Where in an environment an organism is found
ecosystem
The living and non-living parts of an environment
enhanced
Increased in some way
evaporation
The change of state when a liquid forms a gas
evolve
A change over time
fossil fuels
Fuels which are made from living organisms that have been buried for millions of years
freezing
The change of state when a liquid cools to form a solid
greenhouse effect
The trapping of infrared radiation by the Earth’s atmosphere
greenhouse gas
A gas which absorbs infrared radiation in the atmosphere, e.g. carbon dioxide
habitats
Where an organism lives
human activities
Things that humans do
melting
The change of state when a solid heats up to form a liquid
methane
A greenhouse gas released during volcanic eruptions, by cattle and rice
microorganisms
Microscopic organisms, usually single celled
mineral ions
Ions found in soil which are absorbed by plants
mitigation
Trying to reduce the effects of something
nitrogen
A gaseous element produced during volcanic eruptions
nitrogen oxides
A compound of nitrogen and different numbers of oxygen
oxygen
A product of photosynthesis and a reactant of aerobic respiration
oxygen rich
Something which contains lots of oxygen
particulates
Tiny particles of carbon which are produced by incomplete combustion
photosynthetic
Describes something which can carry out photosynthesis
pollutants
Substances which have negative effects on something, e.g. air or water
potable water
Water which is safe to drink
precipitation
How water is released from clouds - rain, snow, sleet or hail
producers
Organisms which can make their own food
purification
A process which removes impurities to make a pure substance
radiation
Transfer of energy by waves
reflect
To bounce off something
respiration
Process which releases energy in cells
reverse osmosis
Water is forced through a partially permeable membrane out of a concentrated solution
screening
The removal of solid substances, similar to filtering
sedimentary rocks
Rocks formed of layers which have been compacted and cemented together
sedimentation
The process of sediments being laid down in layers over time
sewage treatment
How sewage is removed or made less harmful in water
sterilisation
The process of destroying pathogens/bacteria
sulphur dioxide
A pollutant which causes acid rain
transmit
To produce a wave or allow a wave to pass through
water cycle
The process of water being recycled through the environment
water vapour
The gaseous form of water
volcanic activity
Volcanic eruptions
