Coal, oil, natural gas, and other fuels that are ancient remains of plants and animals.
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ppm
parts per million
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LD50
the point at which 50 percent of the test organisms die from a toxin.
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ozone
A form of oxygen that has three oxygen atoms in each molecule instead of the usual two.
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nitrogen oxides
(NOx) Major source is auto exhaust. Primary and secondary effects include acidification of lakes, respiratory irritation, leads to smog and ozone. Reduced using catalytic converters.
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sulfur dioxide
A colorless, corrosive gas directly damaging to both plants and animals.
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carbon dioxide
(CO2) Sources include the combustion of fossil fuels. Effects: greenhouse gas-contributes to global warming. Reduction accomplished by increased fuel efficiency (gas mileage), mass transit (reduction).
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pollution
Release of harmful materials into the environment
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greenhouse effect
Natural situation in which heat is retained in Earth's atmosphere by carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and other gases
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dissolved oxygen
oxygen dissolved in water, dissolved oxygen is important for fish and other aquatic animals
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toxins
poisonous or harmful substances
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pesticides
Chemicals used on plants that do not harm the plants, but kill pests and have negative repercussions on other species who ingest the chemicals.
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fertilizers
a substance that provides nutrients to help crops grow better
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herbicides
compounds that are toxic to plants
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acid rain
Rain containing nitric and sulfuric acids
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ground water
water that filters down through soil and fills the spaces between particles of rock and soil
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biodegradeable
capable of being readily decomposed into harmless substances by microorganisms
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hazardous waste
Any material that can be harmful to human health or the environment if it is not properly disposed of
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sanitary landfill
A place to deposit solid waste, where a layer of earth is bulldozed over garbage each day to reduce emissions of gases and odors from the decaying trash, to minimize fires, and to discourage vermin.
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leachate
water that has passed through buried wastes in a landfill
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secure landfills
a solid waste disposal site lined and capped with an impermeable barrier to prevent leakage or leaching. drain tiles, sampling wells, and vent systems provide monitoring and pollution control
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dispersion
a spreading, scattering or separating
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dilution
Adding water to a solution in order to decrease the concentration
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Water Acidity - pH
As the acidity increases, the water quality decreases
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Heavy metals
Natural metals found in the soil and rocks near the water may leech into the water supply. This can be toxic at certain levels. Copper, Lead or Mercury
Studied by 22 people
