Environmental Science and Engineering Flashcards

Flashcards for Environmental Science and Engineering Concepts

Environment

The sum total of all surroundings of a living organism including natural forces and other living things which provide conditions for development and growth as well as of danger and damage.

Environmental Science

Deals with air, water, soil and living beings, their characteristics, and interrelationships. It also includes social and cultural factors as they impact on the environment.

Environmental Engineering

Applying the theories on designing solutions to environmental problems through engineering. Environmental engineers develop the means to protect the environment and ensure environmental quality and sustainability.

Environmental Quality

A measure of the condition of the environment and its impact on humans and other organisms. Quality of the environment that is conducive for healthy living.

Environmental Quality Standards

Allowable levels of pollution: air, water, soil, noise. International Standards (WHO, UNEP), European Standards Asian Standards, Philippines Standards

Environmental Quality Monitoring

To determine if critical parameters are still within the standards for healthy living for organism. To come up with solutions in case acceptable levels of environmental quality are exceeded. Or simply put, to be cautious, aware, and preventive.

Ecology

The study of the relationships between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment; it seeks to understand the vital connections between plants and animals and the world around them.

Abiotic Factors

Physical and Chemical factors like Air/Wind, Water/Moisture, Energy/Sunlight/Solar, Radiation/Heat/Climate, Soil/Minerals/Nutrients, Gravity

Biotic Factors

Biological factors like Producers, Consumers, Herbivores, Carnivores, Omnivore, Decomposers

Biogeochemical Cycles

Water Cycle, Carbon-Oxygen Cycle, Nitrogen Cycle, Phosphorus Cycle, Sulfur Cycle

Lotic Ecosystem

Freshwater ecosystem with movement - River, Stream, or Spring

Lentic Ecosystem

Freshwater ecosystem that's still - Lake, Pond, or Swamp

Habitat

Dwelling place of an organism

Niche

Role of an organism

Population

Group of one species living in one place at one time

Community

All populations (diff. species) that live in a particular area

Ecosystem

Composed of several communities; Combination of biotic and abiotic factors

Biosphere

Surface of the earth; Composed of many ecosystems and biome

Biome

Large geographic areas with similar climates and ecosystems (biological dome)

Producers

Make food

Consumers

Use food by eating producers or other consumers

Decomposers

Break down dead organisms; return nutrients

Photoautotrophs

Captures energy (light) from the sun by photosynthesis. Adds oxygen to the atmosphere and removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Chemoautotrophs

Capture energy from the bonds of inorganic molecules, such as Hydrogen Sulfide, by chemosynthesis. Often occurs in deep sea vents

Trophic Levels

1st Trophic Level, 2nd Trophic Level, 3rd Trophic Level, 4th Trophic Level, Apex Predetor

Interspecific Competition

Occurs when two or more species compete for a limited resource.

Intraspecific Competition

Happens when individuals of the same species compete

Competition

( - , -)

Predation

( + . -)

Commensalism

( o , +)

Amensalism

( o , -)

Parasitism

( - , +)

Mutualism

( + , +)

Biological Diversity

Genetic Diversity, Species Diversity, Habitat Diversity

Extinct Species

The complete disappearance of a species from Earth; Caused by both natural and unnatural events

Population Dynamics

The study of how populations of organisms change over time, including factors such as birth rates, death rates, and migration

Population Size

no. of individuals or organisms

Population Density

population size in a certain space at a given time

Population Dispersion

spatial pattern in habitat; Clumped, Uniform, Random

Natality

Number of individuals added through reproduction

Mortality

Number of individuals/organisms removed through death

Exponential Growth

J-shaped curve; Growth is independent of population density; Assume unlimited resources

Logistic Growth

S-shaped curve; Growth is dependent on population density and carrying capacity; Competition for resources

Biotic Potential

The number of offspring of an individual organism that would survive to reproductive age under ideal conditions

Environmental Resistance

The resistance presented by the environmental conditions to limit a species from growing out of control or to stop them from reproducing at maximum rate.

Carrying Capacity (K)

The maximum number of organisms a habitat can support over a given period of time due to environmental resistance. The maximum population size of the species that the environment can sustain indefinitely

K-Strategist

Maximum lifespan, fewer, larger offspring, high parental care, later reproductive age, adapted to stable climate, lower population growth rate, high ability to compete

r-Strategist

Maximum reproductive life, little or no parental care, early reproductive age, small adults, adapted to unstable climate, high population growth rate, low ability to compete

Aerobes

Bacteria with air or oxygen

Anaerobes

Bacteria with no air or oxygen

Mesophiles

Bacteria when the temperature is 37°C

Extremophiles

Bacteria requiring an extreme environment

Environmental Chemistry

The study of the sources, reactions, transport, effects of chemical species in the air, soil, and water environments; and also the effect of human activity on these

PAHs

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of over 100 different chemicals that are formed during the incomplete burning of coal, oil and gas, garbage, or other organic substances like tobacco or charbroiled meat.

VOCs

Volatile organic compounds are compounds that have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility and are often components of petroleum fuels, hydraulic fluids, paint thinners, and dry cleaning agents.

Emerging Pollutants

Emerging pollutants are also known as emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals, firm organic pollutants, nanomaterials, personal care products, and endocrine disruptors

Environmental Pathway

The route that pollutants take through the environment, or the way a person can come into contact with a hazardous substance. E.g., Ingestion, Dermal Contact/Absorption, Inhalation

Chain of Infection

Microorganisms, Reservoir/Source, Portal of Exit, Modes of Transport, Portal of Entry, Susceptible Host