Many Ways to Go

Ionizing radiation

Radiation with enough energy to knock electrons from atoms, forming ions and capable of causing cancer. Examples include gamma rays, X-rays, and UV radiation.

High Quality Energy

Organized and concentrated energy that can perform useful work, such as fossil fuels and nuclear energy.

Low Quality Energy

Disorganized and dispersed energy, like heat in oceans, air, wind, and solar energy.

First Law of Thermodynamics

Energy is neither created nor destroyed, but can be converted from one form to another.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

When energy changes form, some useful energy degrades into lower quality energy, usually heat, known as entropy.

Thermal gradient

Spontaneous flow of heat from warmer to cooler bodies.

Natural radioactive decay

Unstable radioisotopes decay, releasing gamma rays, alpha, and beta particles.

Half-life

The time it takes for half the mass of a radioisotope to decay.

Radioactive isotope storage estimate

Approximately 10 half-lives for a radioactive isotope to decay to a safe level.

Nuclear Fission

Nuclei of isotopes split apart when struck by neutrons.

Nuclear Fusion

Fusion of two isotopes of light elements (H) at high temperatures to form a heavier nucleus.

Mass deficit

Not all matter is converted into energy in a fusion reaction; some mass is converted into energy (E = mc^2).

Ore

Rock containing a profitable concentration of minerals for mining.

Organic fertilizer

Slow-acting and long-lasting fertilizer due to the decomposition of organic remains.

Best solution to Energy crisis

Conservation and increasing efficiency.

Surface mining

Cheaper method to remove minerals, less hazardous to workers.

Humus

Organic, dark material left after decomposition by microorganisms.

Soil Profile

Layers O-A-E-B-C; influenced by parent material, climate, living organisms, topography, and time.

Leaching

Removal of dissolved materials from soil by downward water movement.

Illuviation

Deposition of leached material in lower soil layers (B horizon).

Loam

Ideal agricultural soil with portions of sand, silt, and clay.

Conservation, Preservation, Mitigation, Remediation, Reclamation, Restoration

Different approaches to ecosystem management.

Hydrologic cycle parts

Evaporation, transpiration, runoff, condensation, precipitation, infiltration.

Aquifer

Water-bearing layer in the ground, either confined or unconfined.

Cone of depression

Lowering of the water table around a pumping well.

Saltwater intrusion

Movement of saltwater into an aquifer due to overpumping.

Subsidence

Land sinking due to overpumping of an aquifer.

ENSO

El Nino Southern Oscillation, affecting air pressure over the South Pacific.

El Nino effects

Weakening trade winds, warm water sloshing back to South America. Disruption of food chains, mild winters in North US, increased rainfall in Southwest US, fewer Atlantic hurricanes.

Nitrogen fixing

Conversion of atmospheric N into ammonia by bacteria.

Ammonification

Conversion of nitrogen into ammonia by bacteria.

Nitrification

Conversion of ammonia to nitrate ions (NO3-).

Assimilation

Conversion of inorganic N into organic molecules like DNA and amino acids.

Denitrification

Conversion of ammonia back into N2 by bacteria.

Phosphorus cycle

Sedimentary cycle, released by weathering of phosphate rocks.

Sustainability

Meeting current needs without compromising future generations.

Excess phosphorus

Added to aquatic ecosystems by runoff, leading to eutrophication.

Photosynthesis

Conversion of atmospheric C into complex carbohydrates by plants.

Aerobic respiration

Breakdown of organic compounds into CO2 and energy with oxygen.

Anaerobic Respiration

Breakdown of carbohydrates without oxygen into methane and other organics.

Carbon reservoirs

Carbonate rocks and oceans.

Biotic/Abiotic

Living and nonliving components of an ecosystem.

Producer/Autotroph

Photosynthetic organisms forming the base of food chains.

Fecal coliform/Enterococcus

Indicators of sewage contamination found in warm-blooded mammals' intestines.

Energy flow in food webs

Only 10% of usable energy is transferred due to losses and inefficiencies.

Habitat

Physical location and surroundings of an organism.

Niche

Habitat and all interactions with biotic and abiotic components.

Chlorine

Used for water disinfection but can form harmful byproducts.

Primary succession

Development

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

Result from combustion processes, lead to acid deposition and photochemical smog.

Sulfur oxides (SOx)

Arise from coal burning, cause acid deposition and respiratory irritation.

Carbon oxides

Produced by auto exhaust, bind to hemoglobin, and contribute to tropospheric ozone.

Ozone

Secondary pollutant formed by NO2 and sunlight, causes respiratory issues and plant damage.

Radon

Radioactive gas from Uranium decay, leads to lung cancer through Polonium emission.

Photochemical smog

Formed by sunlight reactions with pollutants like NO2 and aldehydes.

Greenhouse gases

Trap outgoing heat energy, contribute to global warming, include CO2 and methane.

Acid deposition

Caused by sulfuric and nitric acids, lowers pH of water bodies and damages structures.

Global warming effects

Include rising sea levels, extreme weather, and environmental disruptions.

Stratospheric Ozone depletion

Caused by Ozone Depleting Chemicals, leads to increased UV exposure.

Love Canal, NY

Site of buried chemicals causing birth defects and cancer due to residential construction.

Municipal solid waste

Mainly paper, primarily disposed of in landfills.

True cost / External costs

Environmental impacts not reflected in product prices.

Sanitary landfill problems

Addressed by leachate management and gas collection systems.

Incineration advantages

Reduces waste volume significantly and can utilize waste heat.

Incineration disadvantages

Generates toxic emissions, requires additional pollution control measures.

Best waste solution

Focus on source reduction to minimize waste generation.

Keystone species

Crucial species in ecosystems, like sea otters, with significant ecological roles.

Indicator species

Species like trout that provide early warnings of ecosystem damage.

Natural pest control

Utilizes better practices, resistant plants, and natural enemies to manage pests.