The Origin and Evolution of the Marine Environment

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the marine environment and climate systems.

Weather

Describes atmospheric conditions over a short period of time.

Climate

The average Earth surface conditions and their variation over a longer time period.

Tropical climate zone

Characterized by warm temperatures and high humidity throughout the year.

Arid climate zone

Characterized by very low precipitation and high temperatures.

Temperate climate zone

Characterized by moderate temperatures and seasonal changes in weather.

Boreal climate zone

Characterized by cold temperatures and coniferous forests.

Polar climate zone

Characterized by very low temperatures and ice-covered regions.

Climate change

Consequences such as global warming/cooling, sea-level rise/fall, and changes in weather patterns.

Climate system

The interconnected system of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and cryosphere.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding Earth, composed mainly of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and other gases.

Biosphere

All organisms living near Earth’s surface that interact with climate.

Hydrosphere

All the water on the Earth’s surface, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and ice.

Lithosphere

The rigid outer layer of the Earth consisting of the crust and upper mantle.

Cryosphere

The frozen water part of the Earth system, including ice sheets and glaciers.

Solar heating

The process by which solar energy warms the Earth's surface and atmosphere.

Albedo

The measure of reflectivity of the Earth’s surface, affecting energy absorption.

Greenhouse gases

Gases such as CO2, CH4, and water vapor that trap heat in the atmosphere.

Thermohaline currents

Ocean currents driven by differences in temperature and salinity.

Carbon Cycle

The cycle through which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

El Niño

A climate event characterized by warm sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

La Niña

A climate event characterized by cooler sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

Southern Oscillation

Atmospheric changes related to El Niño and La Niña events.

Proxy records

Data used to infer past climate changes, such as ice cores and tree rings.

Milankovitch cycles

Long-term climate fluctuations driven by changes in Earth's orbit and axial tilt.

Greenhouse effect

The trapping of the sun's warmth in the Earth's lower atmosphere.

Feedback mechanisms

Processes that can amplify or dampen climate changes in the system.

Positive feedback

A process that amplifies the change in a system.

Negative feedback

A process that counteracts the change in a system.

Acid rain

Precipitation that is significantly more acidic than natural, caused by sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

Ocean acidification

The decrease in pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by uptake of CO2 from the atmosphere.

Geochemical cycles

Natural processes that recycle nutrients in various chemical forms from the environment.

Observational records

Data collected from instruments and observations for climate study.

Chemical weathering

The process that breaks down rocks through chemical reactions, affecting CO2 levels.

Heat transfer

The movement of thermal energy between physical systems.

Heat capacity

The amount of heat energy required to change the temperature of a substance.

Feedbacks in the climate system

Interactions within the climate system that can affect overall climate behavior.

GHG concentration

The amount of greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere.

Industrial revolution

Period marking a major turning point in history; increased use of fossil fuels.

Climate variability

The changes in climate patterns over time, including long-term trends.

Proxy data

Data used to represent the climate conditions of the past.

Fossil fuels

Natural substances formed from decomposed plants and animals, used for energy.

Carbon sequestration

The process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Geological reservoirs

Storage locations for natural resources, including carbon and water.

Land-use change

The alteration of landscapes through human activities such as agriculture and urbanization.

Carbon neutral

Achieving a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.

Anthropogenic effects

Human-induced changes on the natural environment.

Ecosystem services

Benefits provided by ecosystems to humans, such as carbon storage and water filtration.

Carbon footprint

The total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual, event, or organization.

Renewable energy

Energy collected from resources that are naturally replenished.