Environmental Science

pools/reservoirs/sinks

storage locations for elements like carbon, nitrogen, or water. (ex: atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living vegetation)

flux

rate of movement for matter/energy between pools over a specific time (ex: photosynthesis, evaporation, fossil fuel combustion)

residence time

the average time an element stays in a specific pool or reservoir before moving to another. (total capacity/flux rate out)

turnover rate

rate that one species replaces another in a community over time (flux rate/total capacity)

transpiration

water moves through a plant and evaporates in to the air though the stomata (plants absorb water thru roots via osmosis → column of water is pulled up the xylem to leaves →cells open and close stomata → lets CO2 in and water out)

positive feedback loops

cycle where change in a system is amplified/ accelerated, driving the system further away from its balance

negative feedback loops

change in a system triggers a reversal of the initial change (like a balancing mechanism)

greenhouse gas

dynamic equilibrium

steady state

imbalance

physical diffusion

greenhouse warming potential

permafrost

acid rain

eutrophication

petagram & ppm

teragram & ppb