General Stuff Flashcards
(180 cards)
1
Q
Primary pollutant
A
released directly from a source like cars or factories includes CO SO2 NOx VOCs PM
2
Q
Secondary pollutant
A
forms in air from reactions between primary pollutants and sunlight or water includes ozone PANs acid rain
3
Q
Point source pollution
A
from one clear source like a smokestack or drainpipe
4
Q
Nonpoint source pollution
A
from many scattered sources like runoff from roads farms or lawns
5
Q
Criteria pollutants
A
six major air pollutants tracked under Clean Air Act CO NO2 SO2 O3 PM lead
6
Q
Carbon monoxide (CO)
A
colorless odorless gas from incomplete fuel burning limits oxygen in blood
7
Q
Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
A
from burning coal or oil causes acid rain breathing issues and industrial smog
8
Q
Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
A
from engines and power plants forms smog ozone acid rain harms lungs
9
Q
Particulate matter (PM)
A
tiny solid or liquid particles in air PM2.5 most harmful to lungs and heart
10
Q
Ozone (O3)
A
tropospheric ozone forms from NOx and VOCs in sunlight main part of photochemical smog irritates lungs
11
Q
Lead (Pb)
A
heavy metal once in gas and paint toxic to nerves especially in kids stays in environment
12
Q
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
A
from fuels paints cleaners reacts with NOx and sun to make ozone and smog
13
Q
Photochemical smog
A
forms from NOx and VOCs in sunlight contains ozone and PANs common in sunny traffic-heavy areas
14
Q
Industrial smog
A
from burning coal contains SO2 PM and water vapor forms gray haze common in older industrial cities
15
Q
Acid rain
A
SO2 and NOx mix with water in air to make acids lowers soil and water pH harms plants buildings and aquatic life
16
Q
Thermal inversion
A
warm air traps cool air and pollution near ground increases smog and breathing problems
17
Q
Particulate air pollution
A
tiny solids and liquids from burning dust or smoke can enter lungs and blood harms health
18
Q
Indoor air pollution
A
pollution inside buildings from tobacco smoke VOCs radon mold cooking often worse than outdoor air
19
Q
Radon
A
radioactive gas from uranium in soil and rock builds up in buildings raises lung cancer risk
20
Q
Asbestos
A
fibers once used for insulation harmful when breathed in causes lung damage and cancer
21
Q
Noise pollution
A
loud or constant sound from traffic or industry stresses people and wildlife harms hearing
22
Q
Light pollution
A
too much or misdirected light disrupts sleep and animal behavior blocks view of night sky
23
Q
Thermal pollution
A
warm water from factories or power plants lowers oxygen in water stresses aquatic life
24
Q
Plastic pollution
A
non-biodegradable waste in land and water traps animals and releases toxins as it breaks down
25
Pathogen pollution
germs from sewage or animal waste contaminate water cause disease
26
Sewage pollution
wastewater adds nutrients and germs to water lowers oxygen harms life and spreads disease
27
Eutrophication
extra nutrients cause algae blooms block light reduce oxygen kill fish
28
Cultural eutrophication
speed-up of eutrophication from human sources like fertilizer and sewage
29
Oil pollution
spills or leaks coat animals and habitats slow to break down hard to clean
30
Pesticide pollution
chemicals from farms harm non-target species pollute water build up in food webs
31
Bioaccumulation
toxins build up in one organism over time like mercury or DDT stored in fat or organs
32
Biomagnification
toxins increase up food chain highest in top predators
33
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
toxic man-made chemicals like DDT or PCBs resist breakdown build up in organisms and ecosystems
34
DDT
long-lasting pesticide that biomagnifies harms birds by thinning eggshells banned in many countries
35
PCBs
Synthetic industrial chemicals banned in the U.S., still found in the environment, toxic and persistent
36
Mercury (Hg)
Heavy metal from coal burning and mining, bioaccumulates in fish, toxic to the brain and nervous system
37
Arsenic
Naturally occurring or from mining/industry, contaminates groundwater and causes cancer and skin lesions
38
Heavy metals
Group of toxic metals including lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic, do not degrade and harm organs and ecosystems
39
Sediment pollution
Excessive soil or particles in water from erosion or runoff, clouds water, blocks sunlight, and disrupts aquatic habitats
40
Solid waste pollution
Litter, landfill waste, or illegal dumping, includes plastics, e-waste, and household trash
41
Radioactive pollution
Emission of ionizing radiation from nuclear waste, accidents, or mining, causes cancer, mutations, and long-term damage
42
Clean Air Act
U.S. law that sets limits on air pollutants, requires monitoring, and gives EPA authority to regulate emissions
43
Clean Water Act
U.S. law that regulates pollutant discharge into water and protects surface water quality
44
CERCLA (Superfund)
U.S. program to clean up hazardous waste sites and hold polluters responsible
45
Lincoln Index
Population estimate = (number marked in first sample × total in second sample) ÷ number of marked recaptured
46
Population Growth Rate (decimal)
(Births minus Deaths) ÷ Total Population
47
Population Growth Rate (percentage)
(Births minus Deaths) ÷ Total Population × 100
48
Percent Change
(New Value minus Old Value) ÷ Old Value × 100
49
Rule of 70
Doubling Time in years = 70 ÷ Annual Growth Rate in percent
50
Population Density
Total Population ÷ Land Area
51
Energy Conversion Factors
1 kilojoule = 1000 joules and 1 kilocalorie = 1000 calories and 1 calorie = 4.184 joules
52
Power Formula
Power = Energy ÷ Time
53
Efficiency Formula
Energy Output ÷ Energy Input × 100
54
Rate of Change
(Final Value minus Initial Value) ÷ (Final Time minus Initial Time)
55
Gross Primary Productivity (GPP)
Total amount of solar energy captured by plants during photosynthesis
56
Net Primary Productivity (NPP)
GPP minus energy lost from respiration by plants
57
The 10 Percent Rule
Only about 10 percent of energy is passed to the next trophic level in a food chain
58
Dimensional Analysis
Given Quantity × Conversion Factor ÷ Corresponding Unit = Converted Quantity
59
Half-Life Formula
Half-life = natural log of 2 ÷ decay constant
60
Respiration Equation
C6H12O6 plus 6O2 → 6CO2 plus 6H2O plus energy
61
Photosynthesis Equation
6CO2 plus 6H2O plus sunlight → C6H12O6 plus 6O2
62
Combustion Reaction
Hydrocarbon plus O2 → CO2 plus H2O plus energy
63
Ocean Acidification
CO2 plus H2O forms H2CO3 which dissociates into H+ plus HCO3-
64
Photochemical Smog Formation
NOx plus VOCs plus sunlight plus heat → O3 and other smog components
65
Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
O3 plus Cl → O2 plus ClO
66
Photovoltaic Cells
converts sunlight directly into electricity
67
Solar Thermal Systems
uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight and heat water to make steam for electricity
68
Intermittency
variation in energy output due to changes in weather or sunlight
69
Hydropower
generates electricity from moving water usually with dams
70
Geothermal Energy
uses heat from inside the Earth to produce electricity or for heating
71
Biomass Energy
made from burning organic matter like wood crops or animal waste
72
Tidal Energy
uses rising and falling tides to generate electricity
73
Wave Energy
captures energy from surface ocean waves
74
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
produce electricity from hydrogen and oxygen with water as the only emission
75
Nuclear Fusion
joins light atoms to release energy like the sun but not yet usable on Earth
76
Baseload Power
constant electricity supply to meet minimum demand
77
Carbon Neutral
emits no net carbon because carbon released equals carbon absorbed
78
Green Hydrogen
made from water using electricity from renewables with no carbon emissions
79
Energy Carrier
stores energy to be used later like hydrogen or batteries
80
Inherent Safety
safety built into a system that prevents failure without human control
81
Lunar Cycles
cycles caused by the moon that affect tides used for tidal energy
82
Renewable Energy Sources
naturally replaced energy like sunlight wind water and heat from Earth
83
Solar Photovoltaic Systems
use solar panels to make electricity from sunlight
84
Energy Transition
switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources
85
Pump Storage Hydropower
uses extra electricity to pump water uphill and release it later to make power
86
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
uses temperature difference in ocean layers to make electricity
87
Smart Grid Technology
digital systems that manage energy use and supply more efficiently
88
Energy Efficiency
using less energy to do the same task or service
89
Distributed Generation
produces energy close to where it is used to lower losses
90
Demand Response
reduces or shifts energy use to match supply and avoid blackouts
91
Renewable Energy Certificates
prove that electricity was made from a renewable source
92
Offshore Wind Farms
wind turbines in oceans or lakes to capture stronger wind
93
Carbon Neutrality
balance between releasing carbon and removing it from the atmosphere
94
Sustainable Energy
provides energy now without harming future needs
95
Geothermal Heat Pumps
underground heat, steady temperature, home heating & cooling
96
Electric Vehicles
run on electricity, no gasoline, lower emissions
97
Hydrogen Economy
system that uses hydrogen as a main fuel for energy and transport
98
Decarbonization
cutting carbon dioxide emissions from energy and industry
99
Net Metering
lets solar users earn credit for extra energy sent to the grid
100
101
Batteries for Energy Storage
store electricity, later use, balance supply and demand
102
Sustainability
meeting present needs, protect future generations
103
Conservation
sustainable resource use, future availability
104
Biodiversity
variety of life, species, ecosystems, genetic diversity
105
Renewable Energy
naturally replenishing sources, solar, wind, hydro
106
Waste Reduction
recycling, reusing, reducing consumption
107
Circular Economy
eliminate waste, reuse resources sustainably
108
Ecosystem Services
pollination, water purification, climate regulation
109
Carbon Footprint
total emissions, individual/organization/activity
110
Biocapacity
renewable resource generation, absorb waste sustainably
111
Ecological Footprint
human impact, ecosystems, resources
112
Sustainable Agriculture
conserve resources, protect ecosystems, crop rotation, no-till
113
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
minimal impact, manage pests, combined methods
114
Soil Conservation
prevent erosion, maintain soil health, contour plowing, terracing
115
Urban Planning
sustainable cities, green spaces, public transportation
116
Smart Growth
reduce urban sprawl, efficient development
117
Composting
convert organic waste, nutrient-rich soil material
118
Recycling
reprocess materials, reduce waste, conserve resources
119
Endangered Species Act
protect species, prevent extinction, safeguard habitats
120
Paris Agreement
limit temperature rise, reduce greenhouse gas emissions
121
Clean Air Act
air quality standards, regulate pollutants
122
Clean Water Act
restore and maintain water quality
123
Climate Action
reduce emissions, increase resilience
124
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
UN framework, sustainability, poverty, climate change
125
Responsible Consumption
mindful use, reduce waste, lessen environmental impact
126
Energy Efficiency
reduce energy use, LED lighting, efficient tech
127
Water Conservation
efficient water use, rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation
128
Habitat Preservation
protect natural areas, support species and ecosystems
129
Renewable Resources
replenish over time, forests, freshwater
130
Ecosystem Restoration
restore biodiversity, rehabilitate ecosystems
131
Climate Resilience
adapt and recover, climate change impacts
132
Biogeochemical Cycle
movement of chemical elements through air water rocks and living things
133
Carbon Cycle
moves carbon through air water rocks and life forms and supports life processes
134
Photosynthesis
plants take in CO2 and store carbon in sugars
135
Respiration
organisms release CO2 back into the air by breaking down sugars
136
Weathering and Erosion
1 rocks break down into smaller particles by wind water or biological activity and are transported
137
Compaction and Cementation
3 sediments are pressed and glued together to form sedimentary rock
138
Heat and Pressure
4 sedimentary or igneous rocks change into metamorphic rock due to intense heat and pressure
139
Melting
5 rocks melt into magma deep within the Earth
140
Cooling and Crystallization
6 magma cools and solidifies into igneous rock
141
Uplift
7 rocks are pushed to Earth’s surface by tectonic forces
142
Nitrogen Fixation
1 bacteria or lightning turn nitrogen gas into ammonia
143
Ammonification
2 decomposers break down organic nitrogen into ammonia or ammonium
144
Nitrification
3 bacteria convert ammonia or ammonium into nitrites then nitrates
145
Assimilation
4 plants take in nitrates from soil and use them to build proteins and DNA
146
Denitrification
5 bacteria turn nitrates into nitrogen gas released into the atmosphere
147
Leaching
6 nitrates dissolve in water and move out of soil into groundwater
148
Evaporation
1 water changes from liquid to vapor due to heat from the sun
149
Transpiration
2 water vapor released from plant leaves into the atmosphere
150
Condensation
3 water vapor cools and changes into liquid droplets forming clouds
151
Precipitation
4 water falls from the atmosphere as rain snow sleet or hail
152
Infiltration
5 water soaks into the ground and moves into soil and rock
153
Percolation
6 water moves deeper through soil and rock layers to reach groundwater
154
Runoff
7 water flows over land into rivers lakes and oceans
155
Collection
8 precipitated water gathers in bodies of water like rivers lakes and oceans
156
Weathering
1 phosphate is released from rocks into soil and water through weathering
157
Absorption by Plants
2 plants take in phosphate from soil through their roots
158
Consumption
3 animals eat plants and gain phosphorus for bones and DNA
159
Decomposition
4 decomposers break down dead organisms and release phosphate back into soil
160
Sedimentation
5 phosphates settle in water and form new rock over time
161
Geologic Uplift
6 rock containing phosphate is pushed to the surface by tectonic activity
162
Weathering
1 sulfur is released from rocks into soil and water through weathering
163
Volcanic Activity
2 volcanoes release sulfur dioxide gas into the atmosphere
164
Combustion
3 burning fossil fuels releases sulfur dioxide into the air
165
Deposition
4 sulfur compounds fall to Earth through acid rain or dust
166
Absorption by Plants
5 plants take up sulfate ions from the soil
167
Consumption
6 animals get sulfur by eating plants or other animals
168
Decomposition
7 decomposers return sulfur to soil and water from dead organisms
169
Bacterial Conversion
8 bacteria convert sulfur compounds in soil and wetlands into hydrogen sulfide gas
170
Oxidation
9 hydrogen sulfide is converted into sulfate in the atmosphere or soil
171
Photosynthesis
1 plants take in CO2 from the air and store it in sugars
172
Consumption
2 animals eat plants and take in carbon from organic molecules
173
Respiration
3 plants and animals release CO2 back into the air by breaking down sugars
174
Decomposition
4 decomposers break down dead organisms and release carbon into soil and air
175
Combustion
5 burning fossil fuels or biomass releases CO2 into the atmosphere
176
Sedimentation
6 carbon from shells and dead organisms forms limestone and sedimentary rock
177
Fossil Fuel Formation
7 carbon from dead plants and animals is stored underground over millions of years
178
Volcanic Activity
8 volcanoes release CO2 from deep within the Earth into the atmosphere
179
Diffusion
9 CO2 moves between the ocean and the atmosphere to maintain balance
180
Ocean Uptake
10 oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and store it in water or marine organisms
