group 1 apes quiz

Ionizing Radiation

enough energy to dislodge or free electrons from atoms, forming ions: capable of causing cancer (gamma, X-rays, UV)

High Quality Energy

organized and concentrated: can perform useful work (fossil fuels and nuclear energy)

Low Quality Energy

disorganized, dispersed (heat in ocean or air, wind or solar)

First Law of Thermodynamic

energy is neither created nor destroyed, but may be converted from on form to another (Law of Conservation of Energy)

Second Law of Thermodynamics

when energy is changed from one form to another, some useful energy is

ALWAYS degraded into lower quality energy, usually heat.

Natural Radioactive Decay

unstable radioactive decay releasing gamma rays, alpha particles, and beta particles (ex. Radon)

Half-life

the time it takes for ½ the mass of a radioactive isotope to deca

Estimate of how long a radioactive isotope must be stored until it decays to a safe leve

A radioactive isotope must be stored for approximately 10 half-lives until it decays to a safe level

Nuclear Fission

nuclei of isotopes split apart when struck by neutrons

Nuclear Fusion

two isotopes of light elements (H) forced together at high temperatures till they fuse to form a heavier nucleus (He). Process is expensive; Break-even point has not yet been reached. Happens in the Sun.

Ore

a rock that contains a large enough concentration of a mineral making it profitable to mine.

Mineral Reserve

identified deposits currently profitable to extract.

Best Solution to Energy Shortage

conservation, increase efficiency, explore alternative energy options.

Organic Fertilizer

slow-acting and long lasting because the organic remains need time to be deposited.

. Surface Mining

cheaper and can remove more minerals, less hazardous to workers

Humus

organic, dark material remaining after decomposition by microorganisms.

Leaching

removal of dissolved materials from soil by water moving downwards

Illuviation

deposit of leached material in lower soil layers (B Horizons)

Loam

perfect agricultural soil with optimal portions of sand, silt, clay (40%, 40%, 20%)

Soil Conservation Methods

conservation tillage, crop rotation, contour plowing, organic fertilizers.

Soil Salinization

in arid regions, water evaporates leaving salts behind.

Conservation

allowing the use of resources in a responsible manner.

Preservation

setting aside areas and protecting them from human activities.

Water Logging

water completely saturates soil and starves plant roots of oxygen, rots roots.

Hydrologic Cycle Components

evaporation, transpiration, runoff, condensation, perception and infiltration.

Watershed

all the land that drains into a body of water.

Aquifer

underground layers of porous rock allow water to move slowly.

Cone of Depression

lowering of the water table around a pumping well.

Saltwater Intrusion

near the coast, over pumping of groundwater causes saltwater to move into the aquifef=r

ENSO: El Nino Southern Oscillation

Seesawing of air pressure over the South Pacific.

During an El Nino year:

trade winds weaken, and warm water sloshed back towards South America.

Diminished fisheries off South America, drought in western Pacific, increased precipitation in southwestern North

America, fewer Atlantic hurricanes.

Effects of El Nino

Upwelling decreases disrupting food chains; Northern US has mild winters and Southwest US has increased rainfall, less Atlantic Hurricanes.

La Nina

“Normal” year, easterly trade winds and ocean current pool warm water in the western Pacific, allowing upwelling of nutrient rich water off the West Coast of South America.

Nitrogen Fixation

because atmospheric N2 cannot be used directly by plants, it must be converted into ammonia (NH3) by bacteria

Ammonification

decomposers convert organic waste to ammonia.

Nitrification

ammonia is concerted to Nitrate ion (NO3-1)

Assimilation

inorganic N in converted into organic molecules such as DNA/amino acids and proteins

Denitrification

bacteria convert nitrate (NO3-1) and nitrite (NO2-1) ions back into N2 gas

Clean Air Act

Sets regulations to limit emissions from stationary and mobile sources, sets limits for release of air pollutants, establishes a “cap & trade” system setting allowable emissions per industry

*Clean Water Act

Regulates discharge of pollutants into water sources and regulates quality standards for surface waters

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation Liability Act

Provides a “superfund” designed to identify and clean up abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites where no direct party could be held responsible.

Consumer Product Safety Act

Allows Consumer Product Safety Commission the power to develop safety standards for consumer products and pursue recalls of products that present risk of injury/death to consumers

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species

Gives protection to 35000 species of plants and animals that cannot be commercially traded as live specimens or wildlife products.

Endangered Species Act

identifies threatened and endangered species in the USA and puts their protection ahead of economic considerations

Farm Bill

Primary federal agricultural bill, includes nutrition assistance, crop & price protection

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (1906) Delaney Clause of FFDCA

Regulates sanitary conditions and safety of food (including food additives), drugs and cosmetics. Delaney Clause bans food additives which are found to cause or induce cancer in humans or animals

Federal Hazardous Substances Act

Requires certain hazardous products to bear cautionary labels to alert consumers to the potential hazards of these products and to provide first aid information

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act

Regulates effectiveness of pesticides

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act

Authorizes financial and technical assistance to the States for implementation of conservation programs for nongame fish and wildlife.

Food Quality Protection Act

Sets pesticide limits in foods, and all active and inactive ingredients must be screened for estrogenic and endocrine effects

Hazardous Materials Transportation Act

Governs transportation of hazardous materials and wastes, Covers containers and labeling standards

*Kyoto Protocol

An agreement among nations requiring greenhouse gas reductions, “Convention on Climate Change”

Lacey Act

Prohibits trade in US of wildlife, fish & plants that have been illegally taken, sold. possessed, transported

Marine Mammal Protection Act

Protects all marine mammals within the waters of the USA

General Mining Act

Authorizes and governs prospecting and mining for economic hard-rock minerals, such as gold, platinum, and silver, on federal public lands. No environmental concerns addressed.

Montreal Protocol

An agreement among nations requiring phase-out of ozone-depleting chemicals

National Energy Act

Response to energy crisis of 1973. Designed to empower US with greater control of its energy policy, established framework for regulations, energy efficiency & conservation programs, tax incentives, etc.

National Environmental Policy Act

Environmental Impact Statements must be done before any project affecting federal lands start