Help
Options
Didn't know it?
click below
click below
Knew it?
click below
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
retry
shuffle
restart
0:00
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Environment Vocab
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| population | a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area or interbreeding and sharing genetic information |
| species | all individuals that are capable of interbreeding, made up of populations |
| population dynamics | general study of population changes |
| crude birth/death/growth rate | number of ____ per 1000 individuals per year (growth = birth - death) |
| fertility | pregnancy or the capacity to become pregnant or to have children general fertility rate: number of live births expected in a year per 1000 women aged 15-49 years |
| doubling time | number of years it takes for a population to double, assuming a constant rate of natural increase |
| infant mortality rate | annual number of deaths of infants under age 1 per 1000 live births |
| life expectancy at birth | average number of years a newborn infant can expect to live under current mortality levels |
| greenhouse effect | carbon dioxide and water vapor absorb heat waves (infrared) in the lower atmosphere |
| troposphere | the atmospheric layer nearest the earth's surface, ranging from the surface to 10-12 km. it is the only stratum with an abundance of life, water, and weather. air pressure/temperature decrease with increasing altitude |
| atmospheric pressure | a layer of gas density |
| stratosphere | extends from the troposphere to 50 km. the ozone layer between 20-25 km protects the earth from uv rays |
| relative humidity | measure of the actual amount of water vapor in the atmosphere relative to the potential amount of water the atmosphere can contain |
| four processes responsible for removing human-induced particles from the atmosphere | sedimentation (settling out of heavier particulates), rain out (physical/chemical flushing of atmosphere), oxidation (aerosol chemicals mixed with oxygen), photo dissociation (breakdown of chemical by sunlight) |
| weather | short-term atmospheric conditions |
| climate | long-term characteristic weather patterns most strongly influenced by precipitation and weather |
| glaciations | ice ages long periods separated by shorter interglaciations |
| CFCs | chemicals that have been, or are used, as aerosol spray propellants and refrigerants molecules absorbs wavelengths that would normally leave the atmosphere |
| global warming | natural or human-induced increase in average global temperature |
| greenhouse gases | in order of relative contribution: water vapor, CO2, CFC (strongest threat), CH4, O3, N2O |
| depletion of the ozone | caused largely by CFCS, which release chlorine atoms that destroy ozone molecules hole discovered in 1985 over Antarctica and it has continued to grow. it's predicted to be about 7.7 million square miles, or about the size of Canada and the US |
| natural emissions | volcanic and geothermal eruptions, decaying matter in wetlands, atmospheric events, dust storms, wildfires, natural hydrocarbon seeps contribute to air pollution more than man-made sources except for sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxide |
| anthropogenic (man-made) sources of air pollution | stationary sources: power plants (point), dirt roads and construction sites (fugitive), urban or agricultural areas that generate air pollutants (area) mobile sources: cars, trains, planes, ships, etc. |
| effects of air pollution | reduces visibility, odors, damages artificial structures, pollutes soil, interrupts photosynthesis, respiratory problems more concentrated in urban areas 150 million Americans live in areas where air pollution poses a health risk |
| primary air pollutants | particulates, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbon emitted directly into the air |
| secondary air pollutants | form when primary pollutants undergo chemical reactions in the atmosphere, including tropospheric ozone and sulfuric acid in precipitation |
| sulfur dioxide (SO2) | product of fossil fuel combustion (especially low-grade coal) and industrial processing converted to fine particulate sulfate (SO4) in the atmosphere SO2 and SO4 can damage plant/animal tissue and are precursors of acid rain |
| nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) | products of fossil fuel combustion in cars and power plants major component of smog and precursors of acid rain damage plant tissue and irritate respiratory tract in animals |
| carbon monoxide (CO) | colorless/odorless and readily absorbed by blood hemoglobin can impair oxygen uptake by animals especially dangerous to fetuses and people with heart disease, anemia, or respiratory disease |
| ozone | formed when NO2 interacts with sunlight provides an important barrier to UV rays, but high concentrations can damage leaf tissue and respiratory tracts of animals also damages man-made materials like rubber, paint, and textiles |
| volatile organic compounds/chemicals (VOC) | hydrocarbons (methane, butane, propane) aerosol can: cleaning product, paint, solvent, nail polish remover, deodorant, ammonia, gas, insecticide components of smog may cause respiratory problems in high concentration most originate from natural source |
| particulate matter | small particles of solids or liquids (dust from farming/construction sites, smoke, soot...heavy aerosol forms of heavy metals, asbestos, sulfates/nitrates) severe health risk |
| hydrogen sulfide (H2S) | natural product of marshes/swamps also generated during petroleum processing, refining, and metal smelting can be toxic to plants/animals in high concentrations |
| hydrogen fluoride (HF) | product of aluminum processing, coal gasification, coal combustion highly toxic |
| lead | automobiles and leaded gasolines poor air quality, lead poisioning |
| smog | photochemical: caused by car emissions reacting with solar radiation to produce brownish smog (LA) sulfurous: gray smog generated in industrial areas (London) |
| clean air act of 1990 | federal regulations addressing acid rain, toxic emissions, ozone depletion, and car exhaust |
| air quality index | measured by monitoring 5 pollutants: particulates, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide |
| acid rain | wet: rain, snow, fog dry: acidic particulates caused by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which combine with water or dust in the air damages leaves/roots of plants and tissue of aquatic animals |
| health risks of indoor air pollution | minor irritation of the eyes/nose/throat, headaches, dizziness, nausea, chronic lung disorders, cancers, and death |
| indoor air pollutants | bacteria and molds, asbestos fibers, formaldehyde (used in particle board, plywood, and treated lumber as a wood preservative), tobacco smoke, carbon monoxide, radon gas (naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted from certain geological formations) |
| how is indoor air pollution potentially more hazardous than outdoor air pollution? | higher concentrations indoors due to lack of ventilation air maintained at a moderate temperature/humidity can promote the growth of mold/bacteria in airways many people spend a lot of time in climate-controlled buildings |
| chemical hypersensitivity | how sensitive a person is to particular chemicals, such as indoor air pollutants dependent on genetics, life-style, age, type of pollutant, duration/concentration of exposure, sensitization (repeated exposures) |
| "sick building syndrome" | numerous people within a building show symptoms of exposure, or pollutants are detectable |
| water supply/usage | 1% of water is able to be used by humans and many animals irrigation (80%) and coolant in power plants hydroelectric power generation, navigation, recreation, maintenance of fish stocks domestic use (only 10%) |
| desalination | taking the salt out of saltwater the process is expensive and consumes a lot of energy |
| water distribution | water usage has greatly increased in the near future, we may need more water than we have available |
| water management | controlling the volume and time of water resources to achieve a predetermined objective (hydroelectric power generation, municipal water supply, flood control, wildlife habitat, etc) |
| water pollution | degradation of physical, chemical, or biological properties of water, beyond normal conditions, which comprise water quality |
| water quality | determines how water can be used |
| water quality standards | standardize allowed levels of contaminants state environmental agencies monitor the quality the national water quality assessment program: standardizes sampling regimes and techniques, and data analysis in major watersheds |
| monitored for water quality | biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and dissolved oxygen (DO- the required amount of O2 in mg/L to decompose organics) - not pollutants, just crucial for quality waterborne pathogenic microbes nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) oil sediment |
| waterborne pathogenic microbes | amoebic dysentery and cholera kills millions of people each year fecal coliform bacteria protozoa, e coli |
| eutrophication | growth of phytoplankton, filamentous algae, and aquatic macrophytes decline in water quality excessive nutrient input, increased plant production |
| oil as a water pollutant | kills fish, birds, and aquatic animals long-term effects on ecosystem |
| acid mine drainage | when sulfuric acid is added to runoff and groundwater, lowering the pH to toxic levels |
| sources of water pollution | point: discharges from distinct and confired locations (sewage and industrial waste) nonpoint: sources that are much less confined (runoff) |
| common sources of groundwater pollution | leachate (contaminated water) gets into ground water leaking underground storage tanks saltwater intrusion |
| bioremediation | the best way to clean up contaminated groundwater introducing bacteria that consume gasoline leaking from storage tanks |
| wastewater treatment | septic-tank disposal systems wastewater treatment facilities federal water pollution control act clean water act |
| primary wastewater treatment | separating particulate matter, grease, and oil from incoming sewage reduces the volume of wastewater by 30-40% |
| secondary wastewater treatment | activated sludge decomposes the organic sewage received from primary treatment wasterwater is treated with chlorine to kill bacteria/pathogens |
| advanced wastewater treatment | using nutrients (phosphates and nitrates), organic chemicals, and heavy metals after secondary treatment |
| chlorine treatment | kills pathogens before wastewater is returned to receiving waters and is used as part of secondary and advanced treatments |
| laws controlling water pollution | federal water pollution control act (clean water act): requires permits to put wastewater in waterways, protects wetlands safe drinking water act: establishes standards water quality act: targets nonpoint source pollution |
| solid waste | solid, liquid, semi-solid, or contained gas resulting from industrial, commercial, mining, or agricultural operations of from commercial activities which is discarded or accumulated, stored, of treated prior to being discarded |
| municipal solid waste | contains both trash and garbage (food waste) |
| hazardous waste | exclusively municipal solid waste: tires, car batteries, asbestos shingles, pesticides, radioactive material, solvents, fuels, etc. |
| waste acts/laws | 1965 solid waste disposal act: improved disposal methods and development of waste disposal plants resource conservation and recovery act (1976): governs hazardous waste |
| hazardous waste | solid waste that can cause/contribute to an increase in mortality/serious illness, and/or pose a hazard to human health or the environment if improperly handled |
| waste is hazardous if... | ignitable, corrosive, toxic, or reactive |
| health | state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not just absence of disease |
| disease | pathological condition of body with symptoms peculiar to it; abnormal entity |
| communicable disease | caused by specific infectious agent or its toxic products arising from transmission of agent from diseased person to a susceptible person, either directly or indirectly with a vector |
| noncommunicable disease | doesn't spread person to person; environmental or occupational |
| host | being afflicted with disease |
| agent | pathogen or the primary cause of disease (can be micro-organisms like bacteria, fungus, mold, yeast, protozoa, virus, worms) agents can be chemical toxins and physical agents |
| environment | specific location/condition under which the disease is developed and found |
| vector | being that transmits the agent from infected to non-infected host may go through one or more stages in cycle |
| carrier | any infected being who harbors specific infective agent as potential source of infection for man |
| endemic | normal occurrence in population or locality but only in a small number of cases can be a considerable number but not highly communicable or disabling |
| epidemic | sporadic outbreak of infectious disease or condition which attacks many people at the same time/location above normal/expected occurrences |
| pandemic | outbreak affecting majority of population in a large region, or many parts of the world |
| idiopathic | no known cause of disease, or inherent in individual |
| iatrogenic | adverse condition or disease brought on by medical treatment or practitioner (doctor, nurse, drugs, radiation) |
| communicable period | when infectious agent can be transmitted or transferred |
| contamination | presence of infectious agent on a body surface or in clothes, body fluids, excretion, bedding, etc, or in water/food/milk |
| disinfection | kill of most (but not all) infectious agents outside of the body by chemical/physical means concurrent: during communicable period terminal: after death of patient |
| sterilization | killing of all organisms |
| resistance | total body mechanisms that resist disease invasion or development |
| immunity | internal state which prevents disease from developing |
| routes of entry into body | ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, eyes |
| workplace exposures | chemical: CO, lack of oxygen, solvent, acid, dust, particulate biological: virus, bacteria, mold, insect, plant physical agents: noise, cold, heat, humidity psychological: stress, fatigue, boredom |
| factors affecting worker health/safety | falls, accidents, repetitive motion injuries (carpal tunnel, back injuries), inherent risks (police, firefighters) |
| threshold limit values (TLV) | allowable or safe exposure limits |
| protection in the workplace | ventilation, equipment, heating/cooling, safety glasses, gloves, hard hats, ear plugs, dust masks, etc |
| laws protecting workers | workman's compensation acts: social security act for compensation for disabling injuries or widows/survivors, EPA, USDA, FDA, MSHA, dept of labor, health, or environmental protection (DEP) |
| occupational safety and health act (OSHA) | 1970 provided for federal inspections of workplaces for compliance, adopted work exposure limits and safety standards, fines/penalties, accident reporting, safety training, research, adoption of future regulations |
| fossil fuels | highly concentrated forms of partially decomposed organisms that have been trapped in the earth's lithosphere (the storage of carbon compounds during the last 300 million years) coal, oil, natural gas 90% of energy used worldwide |
| alternative energy | solar power, geothermal power, wind power, water power, hydrogen fuel, biomass fuels |
| world hunger | the want or scarcity of food in a country |
| malnutrition | a lack of some, or all, nutritional elements necessary for human health |
| famine | widespread scarcity of food, usually accompanied/followed by regional malnutrition, starvation, epidemic, and mortality |
| food security | when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs |
| urban area | urbanized area with a population above 50,000 urbanization: development with a density of at least 1000 people per square mile |
| biomass | organic material containing stored energy from the sun. when burned, this energy is released as heat. can be converted to other usable forms of energy like ethanol and biodiesel |
| hydropower | renewable energy source that produces the most electricity in the US relies on the water cycle |
| biodiversity | the extent of variation of life within an environment, ecosystem, or planet a way to measure the health of an ecosystem |
| mono/poly culture | mono: growing a single crop in one area poly: growing multiple crops in one area |
| non-native species | any species living in an environment that it is not indigenous to invasive species: any aggressive non-native species that is harmful to its new ecosystem |
Created by:
jenmount317
Popular Biology sets