APES Test: Agriculture and Water Pollution

Agriculture

The practice of cultivating plants and livestock for food, fiber, and other products.

Human nutrition

The study of how food affects human health, including nutrient intake and dietary needs.

Malnutrition

A condition resulting from an imbalance of nutrients, including deficiencies or excesses.

Undernutrition

A form of malnutrition caused by insufficient food intake or nutrient deficiencies.

Overnutrition

A form of malnutrition caused by excessive food intake, leading to obesity and health issues.

World hunger

The persistent lack of sufficient food to meet basic nutritional needs worldwide.

Meat accessibility

The ability of individuals or groups to consume meat, influenced by economic, cultural, and geographic factors.

Energy subsidy

The fossil fuel energy and other resources required to produce food, often measured as input vs. output energy.

Industrial agriculture

Large-scale farming using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and monocropping to maximize production.

Sustainable agriculture

Farming methods that maintain environmental health, economic profitability, and social equity.

Green Revolution

A period of agricultural advancement marked by high-yield crops, synthetic fertilizers, and irrigation improvements.

Irrigation

The artificial application of water to crops to enhance growth in dry conditions.

Waterlogging

Excessive water saturation in soil, reducing oxygen availability and harming plant roots.

Salinization

The accumulation of salts in soil due to irrigation, reducing soil fertility.

Erosion

The displacement of soil by wind, water, or human activity, leading to land degradation.

Organic fertilizers

Natural fertilizers made from decomposed plant and animal matter, improving soil health.

Synthetic fertilizers

Chemically manufactured fertilizers providing specific nutrients but potentially harming ecosystems.

Monocropping

The agricultural practice of growing a single crop species in a field repeatedly.

Polycropping

The practice of growing multiple crops together to improve biodiversity and soil health.

Pesticides

Chemicals used to kill or control pests, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.

Pesticide treadmill

The cycle of pests developing resistance to pesticides, requiring stronger or new chemicals.

Integrated pest management (IPM)

A sustainable approach to controlling pests using biological, cultural, and chemical methods.

GMOs

Genetically modified organisms with altered DNA for improved traits, such as pest resistance or higher yields.

CAFOs

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, where large numbers of animals are raised in confined spaces.

Fishing methods

Techniques used to catch fish, including longlining, trawling, and purse seining.

Overfishing

The depletion of fish populations due to excessive harvesting, threatening ecosystems and food security.

Desertification

The process where fertile land becomes desert due to overgrazing, deforestation, and climate change.

Intercropping

Growing different crops in close proximity to enhance biodiversity and reduce pests.

Crop rotation

The practice of alternating crops in a field to improve soil health and reduce pests.

Agroforestry

The integration of trees and crops in farming systems to improve sustainability.

Contour plowing

A farming technique where plowing follows the land’s natural contours to prevent erosion.

No-till agriculture

A farming method that avoids soil disturbance to maintain soil structure and reduce erosion.

Sustainable fishing

Methods such as pole-and-line fishing and quotas that help maintain fish populations.

Aquaculture

The breeding and harvesting of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants in controlled environments.

Point source pollution

Pollution from a single, identifiable source, such as a factory or sewage plant.

Non-point source pollution

Pollution from multiple, diffuse sources, such as runoff from farms and urban areas.

BOD waste

Biological Oxygen Demand, measuring the amount of oxygen required by microbes to decompose organic matter.

Nutrient runoff

The movement of excess nitrogen and phosphorus from land into water, causing pollution.

Eutrophication

The excessive nutrient enrichment of water bodies, leading to algal blooms and oxygen depletion.

Dead zone

An area in water with low oxygen levels caused by nutrient pollution, making it uninhabitable for marine life.

Wastewater treatment

A process that removes contaminants from sewage through primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment.

Septic tank

A small-scale sewage treatment system that separates solids, breaks down waste, and filters water.

Pathogen pollution

The presence of disease-causing microorganisms in water, often from human or animal waste.

Heavy metals

Toxic elements like lead, arsenic, and mercury that contaminate water and pose health risks.

Pharmaceutical pollution

The contamination of water with medications and hormones, disrupting ecosystems and health.

Endocrine disruptors

Chemicals that interfere with hormonal systems, potentially causing reproductive and developmental issues.

Oil pollution

The contamination of water by petroleum, harming marine life and ecosystems.

Solid waste pollution

The accumulation of non-biodegradable materials, such as plastics, in the environment.

Turbidity

The cloudiness of water due to suspended particles, reducing light penetration and harming aquatic life.

Thermal pollution

The rise in water temperature due to industrial processes, disrupting ecosystems.

Recovery curve

The process by which an ecosystem restores balance after pollution or disturbance.

Clean Water Act

A U.S. law regulating water pollution to protect surface waters from contamination.

Safe Drinking Water Act

A U.S. law ensuring the quality and safety of public drinking water supplies.