Environmental Science and Engineering Module 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Environmental Science and Engineering course notes.

Environment

One’s surroundings; includes air, water, land, living and nonliving things, and their interactions.

Biophysical Environment

Biotic and abiotic surroundings; factors influencing survival; living vs. nonliving.

Ecology

The study of interactions among organisms and their environment.

Ecosystem

A community of organisms and their physical environment with energy exchange and emergent properties.

Producer (Autotroph)

An organism that produces its own food from inorganic sources; foundation of the food chain.

Consumer (Heterotroph)

An organism that cannot make its own food and relies on other organisms.

Trophic Level

Levels in a food chain, from producers to higher-level consumers.

Food Chain

A linear sequence showing energy transfer through eating relationships.

Food Web

Interconnected feeding relationships among organisms.

Food Pyramid

An energy pyramid showing energy flow; about 90% energy lost per transfer.

Decomposer

An organism that breaks down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the ecosystem.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants convert CO2 and water into organic matter and O2 using light.

Chemosynthesis

Formation of organic matter from inorganic substances using chemical energy, often without light.

Respiration

Process of releasing energy from organic matter; uses oxygen and releases CO2 and H2O.

Decomposition

Breakdown of complex substances into simpler components by living or nonliving processes.

Habitat

Natural environment in which an organism lives.

Species

Group of organisms that look alike, share characteristics, and can interbreed.

Population

Group of individuals of a species living in the same area at the same time.

Community

Natural collection of plant and animal species living within a defined area.

Ecological Niche

Function or role of an organism in its ecosystem.

Biodiversity

Diversity of habitats, living communities, and ecological processes; variety of species.

Distribution

Geographic range or frequency of occurrence of a species.

Population Density

Number of individuals per unit area or volume.

Dominance

Degree a species is more numerous than its competitors; shapes community structure.

Keystone Species

Species with a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to abundance.

Limiting Factors

Environmental, chemical, or physical factors that limit growth or distribution.

Competition

Two species using the same limited resource; reduces fitness.

Predation

One species feeds on another; predator gains fitness; herbivory is a form.

Symbiosis

Close long-lasting relationship between two different species.

Parasitism

Parasite benefits; host harmed; includes ectoparasites and endoparasites.

Commensalism

One benefits; the other is unaffected.

Mutualism

Two species provide resources or services to each other; both benefit.

Succession

Orderly process of community development; primary and secondary forms.

Primary Succession

Occurs in lifeless areas; pioneer species (e.g., lichens) aid soil formation.

Secondary Succession

Reestablishment after disturbance; soil remains; progresses to climax community.

Lithosphere

Earth’s outer rigid layer of soil and rocks; includes continental and oceanic plates.

Hydrosphere

All water bodies on Earth; covers ~70% of the surface; includes oceans, rivers, groundwater.

Atmosphere

Layer of gases surrounding Earth; major components N2, O2; helps regulate heat balance.

Biosphere

Global sum of living systems; the biomass; extends across all ecosystems.

Carbon Cycle

Movement of carbon among atmosphere, biosphere, and oceans; involves photosynthesis, respiration, and fossil fuels.

Nitrogen Cycle

Process converting nitrogen between forms: fixation, ammonification, nitrification, denitrification.

Phosphorus Cycle

Movement of phosphate through rocks, soil, water, and organisms; no atmospheric phase.

Sulfur Cycle

Movement of sulfur among atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere; involves SO2, sulfates, H2S.

Oxygen Cycle

Balance maintained by photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, combustion, and rusting.

Nitrogen Fixation

Conversion of atmospheric N2 to reactive forms (e.g., NH3); via biology or the Haber-Bosch process.

Ammonification

Conversion of organic nitrogen to ammonium (NH4+) by decomposers.

Nitrification

Oxidation of ammonium to nitrite (NO2−) and then nitrate (NO3−) by bacteria.

Denitrification

Reduction of nitrate to nitrogen gas by denitrifying bacteria.

Haber-Bosch Process

Industrial fixation of N2 to NH3 under high pressure and iron catalyst.

RCRA

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; governs hazardous waste management in the U.S.

CERCLA

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund); cleanup of contaminated sites.

Sanitary Engineering

Early engineering field focused on water supply, water treatment, and wastewater treatment.

Water Treatment

Treating water from natural sources for domestic and industrial use; includes disinfection.

Wastewater Treatment

Treatment of wastewater to prevent environmental impacts and manage residuals.