ENV101 Final

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85 Terms

1

Transpiration

When plants take up moisture and release water vapor from leaf pores.

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2

Evapotranspiration

The combined processes of evaporation and transpiration.

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3

Residence time

The length of time water typically stays in a compartment.

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4

Water table

The top layer of the zone of saturation.

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5

Zone of aeration

Upper layers of soil.

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6

Zone of saturation

Lower soil layers.

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7

Aquifers

Geologic layers that contain water, may consist of porous layers of sand or gravel or of cracked or porous rock.

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8

Recharge zones

Areas where surface water filters into an aquifer.

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9

Discharge

The amount of water that passes a fixed point in a given amount of time.

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10

Virtual water

Water used in the production of crops; often exported overseas from water-scarce areas.

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11

Subsidence

The gradual sinking of the ground surface, caused by the withdrawal of underground materials.

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12

Point sources

Specific locations of highly concentrated pollution discharge.

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13

Nonpoint sources

Scattered, diffuse sources of pollutants.

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14

Coliform bacteria

Bacteria that live in the intestines of humans and other animals; used as a measure of the presence of feces in water or soil.

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15

Dissolved oxygen

Amount of oxygen dissolved in a given volume of water at a given temperature and atmospheric pressure.

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16

Biochemical oxygen demand

Amount of dissolved oxygen consumed by aquatic microorganisms.

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17

Oxygen sag

Oxygen decline downstream from a pollution source that introduces materials with high biological oxygen demands.

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18

Oligotrophic

Condition of rivers and lakes that have clear water and low biological productivity.

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19

Eutrophic

Rivers and lakes rich in organic material.

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20

Thermal pollution

Artificially raising or lowering the temperature of a water body in a way that adversely affects the biota or water quality.

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21

Primary treatment

A process that removes solids from sewage before it is discharged or treated further.

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22

Secondary treatment

Bacterial decomposition of suspended particulates and dissolved organic compounds that remain after primary sewage treatment.

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23

Tertiary treatment

The removal of inorganic minerals and plant nutrients after primary and secondary treatment of sewage.

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24

Constructed wetlands

A complex of artificial marshes designed to filter and decompose waste.

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25

Living machine

A wastewater treatment system composed of tanks or beds or constructed wetlands in which living organisms remove contaminants, nutrients, and pathogens from water.

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26

Bioremediation

Use of biological organisms to remove pollution or restore environmental quality.

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27

Mineral

A naturally occurring, inorganic, crystalline solid with definite chemical composition, a specific internal crystal structure, and characteristic physical properties.

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28

Rock

A solid, cohesive aggregate of one or more crystalline minerals.

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29

Rock cycle

The process whereby rocks are broken down by chemical and physical forces.

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30

Igneous rocks

Crystalline minerals solidified from molten magma from deep in the earthā€™s interior.

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31

Metamorphic rocks

Igneous and sedimentary rocks modified by heat, pressure, and chemical reactions.

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32

Sedimentary rocks

Rocks composed of accumulated, compacted mineral fragments.

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33

Weathering

Changes in rocks brought about by exposure to air, water, changing temperatures, and reactive chemical agents.

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34

Smelting

Roasting ore to release metals from mineral compounds.

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35

Heap-leach extraction

A technique for separating gold from extremely low-grade ores.

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36

Minimills

Mills that use scrap metal as their starting material.

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37

Floodplains

Low lands along riverbanks, lakes, and coastlines subjected to periodic inundation.

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38

Sustainable development

A real increase in well-being and standard of life for the average person that can be maintained over the long term.

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39

Sustainable development goals

A group of 17 global goals aimed at tackling poverty, hunger, and promoting health, education, and gender equality.

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40

National Environmental Policy Act

The law that established the Council on Environmental Quality and requires environmental impact statements for federal projects.

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41

Environmental impact statement

An analysis of the effects of any major program or project planned by a federal agency.

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42

Statutes

Federal Laws passed by the federal legislature and signed by the chief executive.

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43

Regulatory capture

When a regulatory agency comes to be dominated by the industry it is intended to regulate.

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44

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

An international convention to protect endangered species.

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45

Montreal Protocol

An international treaty to eliminate chlorofluorocarbons that destroy stratospheric ozone.

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46

Kigali Amendment

Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to control substances depleting ozone.

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47

Basel Convention

Restricts shipment of hazardous waste across international boundaries.

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48

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

Directs governments to share data on climate change and develop national plans for controlling greenhouse gases.

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49

Environmental literacy

A basic understanding of ecological principles and the ways society affects environmental conditions.

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50

Citizen science

Projects in which trained volunteers work with scientific researchers to answer real-world questions.

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51

Conspicuous consumption

Buying things we donā€™t want or need to impress others.

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52

Affluenza

An addiction to spending and consuming beyond oneā€™s needs.

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53

Health

A state of physical and emotional well-being; the absence of disease or ailment.

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54

Morbidity

Illness or disease.

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55

Mortality

Death rate in a population.

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56

Environmental health

The science of external factors that cause disease.

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57

Disability-adjusted life years

A health measure that assesses the total burden of disease.

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58

Pathogens

Organisms that produce disease in other organisms.

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59

Emergent diseases

New diseases or ones that have been absent for at least 20 years.

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60

Conservation medicine

Attempts to understand how environmental changes threaten health.

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61

Acute

Involving a short-term, often single exposure event.

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62

Chronic

Involving repeated exposures over time.

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63

Allergens

Substances that activate the immune system and cause an allergic response.

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64

Antigens

Substances that stimulate the production of, and react with, specific antibodies.

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65

Sick building syndrome

A cluster of allergies and illnesses caused by insufficiently ventilated buildings.

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66

Mutagens

Agents that damage or alter genetic material.

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67

Teratogens

Chemicals that cause abnormalities during embryonic growth.

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68

Endocrine hormone disruptors

Chemicals that interfere with the function of endocrine hormones.

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69

Bioaccumulation

The selective absorption and concentration of molecules by cells.

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70

Biomagnification

Increase in concentration of certain stable chemicals in higher trophic levels.

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71

Persistent organic pollutants

Chemical compounds that persist in the environment.

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72

Chlorpyrifos

A pesticide moderately toxic to humans.

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73

Synergistic effects

When the effects of exposure to multiple factors is greater than the sum of individual effects.

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74

Retrospective study

A study that looks back at a group with a specific condition.

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75

Prospective study

A study in which groups are monitored before and after exposure.

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76

Conventional / criteria pollutants

Seven substances identified by the Clean Air Act as serious threats to health.

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77

Ambient air

The air immediately around us.

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78

Point source

Specific locations of highly concentrated pollution discharge.

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79

Fugitive emissions

Substances that enter the air without going through a smokestack.

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80

Primary pollutants

Chemicals released directly into the air in a harmful form.

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81

Volatile organic compounds

Organic chemicals that evaporate readily and exist as gases in the air.

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82

Particulate material

Atmospheric aerosols including dust, ash, and soot.

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83

Aerosols

Minute particles or liquid droplets suspended in the air.

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84

Toxic release inventory

A program that requires reporting on releases of toxic materials.

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85

Catalytic converter

Device that removes harmful emissions from vehicle exhaust.

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