Environmental Monitoring

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary related to environmental monitoring, focusing on water and air quality indicators.

Water Quality

Refers to the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water.

Potable Water

Water that is suitable for drinking.

Turbidity

A measure of the cloudiness of water, caused by suspended solids.

pH Scale

A scale that measures how acidic or basic a substance is, ranging from 0 to 14.

Neutralization

A reaction between an acid and a base that produces water and a salt.

Dissolved Oxygen

The amount of oxygen that is present in water, essential for the survival of aquatic life.

Nutrients

Substances like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that support the growth of organisms.

Toxicity

The degree to which a substance can harm humans or animals.

LD50

The lethal dose of a substance that kills 50% of a test population.

Biological Indicators

Organisms used to assess the health of an environment, indicating chemical indicators.

CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)

Man-made compounds that contribute to ozone depletion.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Acid Rain

Rain that has been made acidic by pollution, affecting water quality.

Heavy Metals

Toxic metals such as mercury, lead, and copper found in some environments.

Secchi Depth

A measure of water clarity related to turbidity, determined by a Secchi disk.

Indicators of Water Quality

Parameters such as turbidity, pH, and dissolved oxygen used to assess water quality.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

A colorless, odorless gas produced by combustion, harmful to oxygen transport in blood.