Human Impact Unit Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms for the Human Impact Unit

Acid Rain

Precipitation with a pH lower than 5.5 caused by burning fossil fuels.

Biodegradable

A substance capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other organisms.

Biological Control

The use of natural means such as a predator to control pest organisms.

Biomagnification

The accumulation of toxin in the tissue of an organism from the ingestion/predation of plants or animals where the toxin is more widely distributed.

Deforestation

Removal of trees from an ecosystem to make room for homes, industry, and farms.  Leads to global warming and habitat loss.

Direct Harvesting

The destruction of an organism or removal of an organism from its habitat.

Fossil Fuel

A nonrenewable source of energy that comes from the remains of organisms that lived millions of years ago (coal, oil, natural gas).

Global Warming

An increase in Earth’s temperature caused by excess CO2 gas in the atmosphere.

Greenhouse Effect

The accumulation of greenhouse gases (CO2, H2O & CH4) in the atmosphere. These gases absorb heat energy, not allowing it to escape into space.

Invasive (introduced) Species

Organisms that are released to a new environment where they often become pests due to a lack of predators.

Industrialization

The process of converting an economy into one in which large-scale manufacturing is the primary economic base.

Nuclear Fuel

Non-renewable energy source that results from splitting atoms. Does not cause air pollution, but can cause thermal pollution and creates waste that is difficult to dispose of.

Ozone Depletion

The thinning of the layer of gases surrounding the Earth that protects Earth’s organisms from UV rays.

Pesticide

A chemical used to kill organisms that are unwanted in an area such as weeds or insects.

pH

A measure (1-14) of whether a substance is acidic, basic, or neutral.

Pollution

A harmful change to the chemical makeup of soil, water, or air due to the addition of wastes or products of human activity.

Renewable Resource

Any resource such as food supply, wind energy, and solar energy that can be naturally replaced.

Smog

A kind of air pollution that results when certain pollutants react with sunlight that looks like a gray or brown haze and may contain airborne pollutants.

Technology

All of the practical scientific knowledge that has been used to meet human needs.

Thermal Pollution

A type of pollution caused by any process that changes the temperature of a river, lake or ocean.

Trade Off

An exchange or agreement made to reach a compromise.  Involves giving up one desired thing for another.

Nonrenewable Resource

Any resource such as fossil fuels that cannot be replaced.