Test review

Greenhouse Effect

natural situation in which heat is retained in Earth's troposphere

Greenhouse Gases

Gases in the earth's lower atmosphere (troposphere) that cause the greenhouse effect. Examples are carbon dioxide

Global Warming

gradual warming of the earth's average temperature and its atmosphere that may be caused in part by pollution and an increase in the greenhouse effect

General Circulation Models

complex mathematical models that use supercomputers to analyze and make quantitative predictions of future climate change

Climate Noise

the normal short-term ups-and-downs of the global temperature

Albedo

Ability of the earths surface (land

Aerosols

tiny solid particles or liquid droplets that remain suspended in the atmosphere for a long time

Forest Turnover

how fast trees grow and die in a forest.

Climate

the weather average over decades

Boiled Frog Syndrome

when global warming crosses the threshold and triggers obvious and serious effects after a period of smaller less notable changes

Carbon Taxes

A tax on fossil fuels (especially coal and gasoline) based on their emissions of CO2 and other air pollutants.

Polluter-Pays

Requires industries and consumers to pay directly for the full environmental costs of the fuels they use.

Ozone Layer

Stratospheric global sunscreen.

Freons

The trade name for CFC-11 (trichlorofluoromethane

ODCs

All ozone depleting compounds are collectively called this.

Halons

Long-lived bromine-containing compounds used in fire extinguishers.

Methyl Bromide (CH3Br)

A widely used fumigant.

Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4)

A cheap

Methyl Chloroform (C2H3Cl3)

Toxic

Ozone Thinning

Incorrectly called an ozone hole

Polar Vortex

A huge

hydrochlorofluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbon

substitute for CFC; contains fewer Cl atoms or none at all

squamous cell carcinoma

Arising from cells in the upper layer of the epidermis this cancer is also caused by exposure to sunlight or tanning lamps. It is usually curable if treated early. It grows faster than other types of carcinoma and can metastasize

malignant melanoma

Deadliest of skin cancers involves melanocyte cells

Montreal Protocol

1987 meeting in Montreal to develop the treaty to cut emissions of CFCs in the atmosphere

Basal Cell Carcinoma

The most common skin malignancy is usually caused by excessive exposure to sunlight or tanning lamps. It develops slowly

water pollution

any chemical

disease-causing agents (pathogens)

bacteria

coliform bacteria

the number of colonies present in a 100 mL (0.1-quart) is a good indicator of the quality of water for drinking/swimming; WHO says count of 0 col per 100 mL for drinking water

oxygen-demanding wastes

organic wastes that can be decomposed by aerobic (oxygen requiring) bacteria

biological oxygen demand (BOD)

amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic decomposers to break down the organic materials in a certain volume of water over a 5-day incubation period at 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees fahrenheit)

water-soluble inorganic chemicals

acids

Inorganic plant nutrients

water-soluble nitrates and phosphates that can cause excessive growth of algae and other aquatic plants

organic chemicals

oil

sediment/suspended matter

insoluble particles of soil and other solids that become suspended in water

water-soluble radioactive isotopes

some of which are concentrated/biologically magnified in various tissues/organs as they pass through food chains and webs; ionizing radiation emitted can cause birth defects

thermal pollution

rise in water temperature; lowers dissolved oxygen levels

genetic pollution

aquatic systems are disrupted by deliberate or accidental introduction of nonnative species

chemical analysis

helps determine the presence/concentrations of most water pollutants

nonpoint sources

cannot be traced to any single site of discharge; usually large land areas/airsheds that pollute water by runoff

point sources

specific locations through pipes

eutrophication

natural nutrient enrichment of lakes

cultural eutrophication

human activities can greatly accelerate the input of nutrients to a lake

Cleanup methods for Eutrophication

dredging bottom sediments to remove excess nutrient buildup

thermal shock

effect of sharp changes in water temperature

thermal enrichment

excess heat added to aquatic systems; for example

dredge spoils

materials

sewage sludge

gooey

solid waste

any unwanted or discarded material that is not a liquid or a gas

municipal solid waste (MSW)

solid waste produced from homes and businuesses in or near urban areas.

Garbage

Amount of municipal waste.

Compost

A sweet-smelling

Primary Recycling

Remanufacturing a material for the same purpose. (Aluminum cans makes more aluminum cans).

Secondary Recycling

Materials are remanufactured into different products than their origin

Bioremediation

Biological treatment of hazardous wastes

Phytoremediation

Biological way to treat hazardous wastes

Mass-burn Incinerators

Burns mixed trash without separating out hazardous materials.

Sanitary Landfill

A garbage graveyard in which solid wastes are spread out in thin layers. Groundwater protected by a lining system

Leachate

Rainwater contaminated as it percolates through solid waste.

Deep-Well Disposal

Liquid hazardous wastes are pumped under pressure through a pipe into dry

Dioxins

A family of 75 chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds formed as unwanted byproducts in chemical reactions.

waste management

a high-waste approach that views waste production as an unavoidable product of economic growth.

Pollution prevention

a low-waste approach that views most solid and hazardous waste as either as potential resources or as harmful substances that we should avoid in the first place.

Life Cycle Cost

Initial cost plus lifetime operating costs of an economic good.

Green Design

Reduces the overall impact by emphasizing efficient use of matter and energy resources

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

EPA identifies hazardous wastes and standards to manage. Required permits for those that produce 220 lbs a month with a cradle to grave log of substances. Provided federal funds to states with management systems

Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (SuperFund)

16.3 billion fed and state government fund. Used by EPA to locate dangerous dumpsites. EPA sues all those responsible with strict joint and severe liability. Thus each polluter is responsible for entire cost of clean up no matter part played.

Love Canal

Between 1942 and 1953 Chemicals were dumped into an excavated area near Niagara Falls

E-waste

Consists of discarded television sets

United States and in the world.