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definitions Flashcards

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1
Q

What is Acidification?

A

The gradual reduction of pH of the oceans, due to dissolving carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Acidification can have significant impacts on marine life and ecosystems.

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2
Q

Define Afforestation.

A

Planting trees and vegetation in the aim of increasing forest cover.

Afforestation helps combat climate change and can restore degraded lands.

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3
Q

What is an Anticyclone?

A

A system of high pressure, causing high temperatures and unseasonably high evaporation rates.

Anticyclones are often associated with clear skies and dry weather.

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4
Q

What is an Aquifer?

A

A permeable or porous rock which stores water.

Aquifers are crucial for providing groundwater for drinking and irrigation.

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5
Q

What is a Biofuel?

A

Burning crops and vegetation for electricity and heat.

Biofuels can be a renewable energy source, depending on the feedstock.

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6
Q

Explain Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS).

A

The capture of carbon dioxide emissions directly from the factory, pumped into disused mines rather than being released into the atmosphere.

CCS is a technology aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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7
Q

What are Carbon Fluxes?

A

The movement of carbon between stores.

Understanding carbon fluxes is essential for climate change research.

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8
Q

Define Carbon Neutral.

A

A process that has no net addition of carbon dioxide to the environment.

Achieving carbon neutrality is critical for mitigating climate change.

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9
Q

What are Carbon Stores?

A

Places where carbon accumulates for a period of time such as rocks and plant matter.

Carbon stores play a vital role in the global carbon cycle.

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10
Q

What is Channel Flow?

A

Water flowing in a rivulet, stream or river.

Channel flow is an important component of the hydrological cycle.

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11
Q

What are Choke Points?

A

Points in the logistics of energy and fuel that are prone to restriction.

Choke points can impact energy security and supply chains.

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12
Q

Define Combustion.

A

The process of burning a substance, in the presence of oxygen, to release energy.

Combustion is a primary method of energy generation.

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13
Q

What is Convectional Precipitation?

A

Solar radiation heats the air above the ground, causing it to rise, cool & condense forming precipitation (often as thunderstorms).

This type of precipitation is common in tropical regions.

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14
Q

What does Cryosphere refer to?

A

The global water volume locked up within a frozen state (i.e., snow and ice).

The cryosphere is crucial for regulating Earth’s climate.

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15
Q

Define Decomposition.

A

The break down of matter, often by a decomposer which releases carbon dioxide through their own respiration.

Decomposition is essential for nutrient cycling in ecosystems.

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16
Q

What is a Depression in meteorological terms?

A

A system of low pressure, with fronts of precipitation where low and high pressure air masses meet.

Depressions are often associated with storms and unsettled weather.

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17
Q

What is a Desalination Plant?

A

The conversion of seawater to freshwater, suitable for human consumption.

Desalination is increasingly important in water-scarce regions.

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18
Q

What is Desublimation?

A

The change of state of water from gas to solid, without being a liquid.

This process can be observed in certain atmospheric conditions.

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19
Q

Define Drainage Basin.

A

The area of land drained by a river and its tributaries.

Drainage basins are key for understanding hydrological processes.

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20
Q

What is Drainage Density?

A

The total length of all rivers & streams divided by the area of the drainage basin.

High drainage density can indicate a well-drained landscape.

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21
Q

What is a Drought?

A

An extended period of deficient rainfall relative to the statistical average for the region (UN).

Droughts can have severe impacts on agriculture and water supply.

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22
Q

Define Economic Water Scarcity.

A

When water resources are available but insufficient economic wealth limits access to it.

Economic water scarcity is often a result of poverty and infrastructure issues.

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23
Q

What is Energy Mix?

A

The composition of a country’s energy sources.

A diverse energy mix can enhance energy security.

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24
Q

Define Energy Security.

A

The ownership and full control of a country’s energy source, production and transportation.

Energy security is vital for national stability and economic growth.

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25
What is an Energy Pathway?
The movement of energy from its extraction or source, through pipes, freight logistics or cabling. ## Footnote Understanding energy pathways is essential for energy management.
26
Who are Energy Players?
Key companies and individuals who own, distribute and sell energy and energy sources. ## Footnote Energy players influence market dynamics and policies.
27
What is the Enhanced Greenhouse Effect?
The build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, reducing the amount of solar radiation reflected into space. ## Footnote This effect contributes significantly to global warming.
28
What are ENSO Cycles?
El Niño Southern Oscillations - naturally occurring phenomena that involves the movement of warm water in the Equatorial Pacific. ## Footnote ENSO cycles have significant impacts on global weather patterns.
29
Define Evapotranspiration.
The combined total moisture transferred from the Earth to the atmosphere, through evaporation and transpiration. ## Footnote Evapotranspiration is a key process in the water cycle.
30
What is Frontal Precipitation?
Where air masses of different temperatures meet at a front, one mass will be forced over another, causing precipitation beneath the front. ## Footnote Frontal precipitation is common in temperate climates.
31
What is the Global Hydrological Cycle?
The continuous transfer of water between land, atmosphere and oceans. The Earth is a closed system. ## Footnote This cycle is fundamental for maintaining ecosystems and climate.
32
Define Groundwater Flow.
Water moving horizontally through permeable or porous rock due to gravity. ## Footnote Groundwater flow is essential for aquifer recharge and water supply.
33
What is Hydrological Drought?
Insufficient soil moisture to meet the needs of vegetation (crops, trees, plants) at a particular time. ## Footnote Hydrological droughts can lead to crop failures.
34
Define Infiltration.
The movement of water vertically through the pores in soil. ## Footnote Infiltration is a critical process for groundwater recharge.
35
What is Integrated Drainage Basin Management?
Establishing a frame of coordinated efforts between administrations (e.g., local government) and stakeholders (e.g., businesses) to achieve balanced management of a basin (World Bank). ## Footnote This approach promotes sustainable water management.
36
What is Inorganic Carbon?
Carbon stored in carbonated rocks. ## Footnote Inorganic carbon plays a role in geological carbon cycles.
37
Define Interception.
Raindrops are prevented from falling directly onto the ground, instead hitting the leaves of a tree. ## Footnote Interception affects the amount of water reaching the soil.
38
What is Meteorological Drought?
When long-term precipitation trends are below average. ## Footnote Meteorological drought can lead to agricultural and hydrological droughts.
39
Define Monsoon.
The drastic variation between wet and dry seasons for sub-tropical areas, caused by a changed prevailing wind. Can lead to annual flooding. ## Footnote Monsoons are crucial for agriculture in affected regions.
40
What does Non-Renewable refer to?
A source of energy that can only be used once to generate electricity or takes thousands of years to replace e.g., Fossil Fuels. ## Footnote Non-renewable sources are a major contributor to climate change.
41
What is Nuclear Fusion?
The process of joining atomic nuclei together, to produce energy. ## Footnote Nuclear fusion has the potential to provide a nearly limitless energy source.
42
What does OPEC stand for?
Oil and Petroleum exporting countries. An organisation that supports and coordinates fossil fuel exporting countries. ## Footnote OPEC plays a significant role in global oil markets.
43
Define Open System.
A system affected by external flows and inputs (such as a drainage basin, or a sediment cell). ## Footnote Open systems are crucial for understanding environmental interactions.
44
What is Organic Carbon?
Carbon stored in plant material and living organisms. ## Footnote Organic carbon is a key component of the carbon cycle.
45
Define Outgassing.
The release of dissolved carbon dioxide (e.g., at plate boundaries, warming the oceans). ## Footnote Outgassing contributes to atmospheric carbon levels.
46
What is Percolation?
Water moving vertically from soil into permeable rock. ## Footnote Percolation is vital for groundwater recharge.
47
What is Photosynthesis?
The process of converting carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. All plants and some organisms rely on this process to survive. ## Footnote Photosynthesis is fundamental for life on Earth.
48
Define Physical Water Scarcity.
A physical lack of available freshwater which cannot meet demand. ## Footnote Physical water scarcity affects millions globally.
49
What is Phytoplankton?
Small organisms that rely on photosynthesis to survive, so intake carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. ## Footnote Phytoplankton play a crucial role in marine ecosystems.
50
What is Primary Energy?
The initial source of energy, as it is naturally found. This could be natural ores, water, crops or radioactive material. ## Footnote Primary energy sources are essential for energy production.
51
Define Relief Precipitation.
Precipitation caused when air masses are forced to rise over high land, determined by the relief/morphology of the land. ## Footnote Relief precipitation is common in mountainous regions.
52
What does Renewable refer to?
Primary energy that can be re-used to produce electricity or has a short lifetime, therefore any used can be replaced quickly e.g., Hydroelectric, biomass, solar. ## Footnote Renewable energy sources are key to sustainable development.
53
What is Respiration?
The process of converting glucose and oxygen into carbon dioxide and energy. Some organisms rely on respiration to survive. ## Footnote Respiration is essential for energy production in living organisms.
54
Define River Regime.
The pattern of river discharge over a year. ## Footnote Understanding river regimes is important for water resource management.
55
What is Runoff?
Water flowing over the surface of the ground e.g., after precipitation or snowmelt. ## Footnote Runoff can contribute to flooding and water supply.
56
Define Salinisation.
Where salt water contaminates freshwater stores or soils, creating saline conditions and reducing human use/consumption. ## Footnote Salinisation can severely impact agriculture.
57
What is Saltwater Encroachment?
The movement of saltwater into freshwater aquifers or soils. This may be caused by sea level rise, storm surges or over-extraction. ## Footnote Saltwater encroachment threatens freshwater resources.
58
What is Secondary Energy?
The product of primary energy, mostly electricity. ## Footnote Secondary energy is used in various applications across sectors.
59
Define Sequestration.
The transfer of carbon from the atmosphere to stores elsewhere - living biosphere, inorganic rocks, etc. ## Footnote Sequestration is crucial for mitigating climate change.
60
What is Smart Irrigation?
Providing crops with a water supply less than optimal, to make crops resistant to water shortages. ## Footnote Smart irrigation techniques can enhance water efficiency.
61
What is a Storm Hydrograph?
Variation of river discharge over a short period of time (days). ## Footnote Storm hydrographs are used to analyze flood risks.
62
Define Sublimation.
The change of state of water from solid to a gas, without being a liquid. ## Footnote Sublimation is observed in certain climatic conditions.
63
What is Thermohaline Circulation?
The movement of volumes of seawater from cold deep water to warm water surface water. ## Footnote Thermohaline circulation is crucial for global climate regulation.
64
What is Throughflow?
Water moving horizontally through the soil, due to gravity. ## Footnote Throughflow contributes to groundwater recharge and river discharge.
65
Define Tipping Point.
A critical threshold where any changes to a system after the tipping point are irreversible. ## Footnote Tipping points are significant in the context of climate change.
66
What is Transpiration?
The process through which water evaporates through the stomata in plants' leaves. ## Footnote Transpiration is a key component of the water cycle.
67
Define Urbanisation.
The growth of populations in towns and cities. ## Footnote Urbanisation can lead to increased demand for resources and services.
68
What is a Water Budget?
The annual balance between inputs and outputs within a system. ## Footnote Water budgets are important for managing water resources.
69
Define Water Conservation.
Strategies to reduce water usage and demand. ## Footnote Water conservation is essential for sustainable water management.
70
What is Water Recycling?
The treatment and purification of waste water, to increase supply. ## Footnote Water recycling can help alleviate water scarcity.
71
What is Water Scarcity?
There are limited renewable water sources (between 500 and 1000 cubic metres per capita per year). ## Footnote Water scarcity affects millions of people worldwide.
72
Define Water Security.
The ability to protect and access a sustainable source to adequately meet demand. ## Footnote Water security is critical for health, food, and economic stability.
73
What is a Water Sharing Treaty?
International agreements for transboundary sources. ## Footnote Water sharing treaties are important for cooperative water management.
74
What is Water Transfer?
Hard engineering projects, such as pipelines or aqueducts, that divert water between basins to meet demand. ## Footnote Water transfer projects can help alleviate local water shortages.
75
Define Watershed.
The boundary between neighbouring drainage basins. ## Footnote Watersheds are important for managing water resources and ecosystems.

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