APES Overall Review

Nitrogen Fixation

Process that implies the transformation of the relatively non-reactive atmospheric N2 into its more reactive compounds (nitrates, nitrites, or ammonia).

Denitrification

Where nitrate (NO3−) is reduced and ultimately produces molecular nitrogen (N2) through a series of intermediate gaseous nitrogen oxide products.

Ammonification

Chemical reaction in which NH2 groups are converted into ammonia or its ionic form, ammonium (NH4+), as an end product. Bacteria and related microorganisms drive this process.

Assimilation

The process by which plants and animals incorporate the NO3- and ammonia formed through nitrogen fixation and nitrification. 

Nitrification

The process that converts ammonia to nitrite and then to nitrate.

Aerobic Decomposition

The decay or breaking down of organic material in the presence of free or dissolved oxygen.

Anaerobic Decomposition

The decay or breaking down of organic material without the presence of free or dissolved oxygen.

Hadley Cells

Large-scale atmospheric convection cell in which air rises at the equator and sinks at medium latitudes, typically about 30° north or south.

Southeasterly Trade Winds

Winds that start from their name and move north western.

Northeasterly Trade Winds

Winds that start from their name and move south western.

Ocean Acidifiction

A reduction in the pH of the ocean over an extended period of time, caused primarily by uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Reduces the amount of carbonate and weakens shells of ocean animals.

Acid Mine Drainage

Formed when pyrite is exposed and reacts with air and water to form sulfuric acid and dissolved iron. Contaminates drinking water, disrupts growth and reproduction of aquatic plants and animals, and corrodes parts of infrastructures such as bridges.

Acid Deposition/Rain

Results when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) are emitted into the atmosphere and transported by wind and air currents. Contaminates water, heavy metals pose threat to human health, etc.

Primary Treatment

Sedimentation and removal of solid waste within the water.

Secondary Treatment

Biological treatment process designed to reduce the amount of organic materials in the wastewater with bacteria.

Tertiary Treatment

Use of a combination of physical and chemical processes to remove harmful microbiological contaminants from wastewater. 

Westerlies

Winds that start from their name and blow east.

Cellular Respiration

A chemical process in which oxygen is used to make energy from carbohydrates (sugars).

Higher pH

Basic

Lower pH

Acidic

Kilo

10^3

Mega

10^6

Giga

10^9

Centi

10^-2

Milli

10^-3

Micro

10^-6

Nano

10^-9

Primary Pollutant

Pollutants being discharged into the troposphere (ex. CO2, NOx, SO2)

Secondary Pollutant

Pollutant formed from a reaction with a primary pollutant and another chemical (ex. O3, SO3, H2SO4)

Catalytic Converter

A device incorporated in the exhaust system of a motor vehicle that filters out harmful byproducts in the exhaust gases and burns them up.

Carbon Monoxide

Colorless gas coming from motor vehicle exhaust and incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Causes headaches, death (asphyxiant), and reduced metal alertness.

Nitrogen Dioxide

Reactive gas that comes from the burning of fossil fuels. Causes respiratory illness and lung symptoms. Contributes the formation of smog and acid rain.

Sulfur Dioxide

Gas that comes from coal fired power plants, burning diesel fuel, and oil refineries. Causes eye irritation, wheezing, and lung damage. Contributes to the formation of acid raid.

Ozone

Comes from air pollutants and vehicle exhaust. Causes asthma, lung damage, plant and ecosystem damage, etc.

Formaldehyde

Colorless, strong-smelling chemical that is a gas at room temperature. Can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, even at low levels for short periods.

Photochemical Smog Formation

NO+O2=NO2, NO2+UV=NO+O, O+O2=O3

Sulfuric Acid Formation

SO2+O2=SO3, SO3+H2O=H2SO4

Nitric Acid Formation

NO2+H2O=HNO3

Clean Water Act

Set maximum permissible amounts of water pollutants that can be discharged into waterways; aims to make surface waters swimmable and fishable.

Safe Drinking Water Act

Requires EPA to regulate pollutants that will cause negative public health effects. Requires protections of drinking water and its sources.

LD50

Dosage of a toxin it takes to kill 50% of the population.

Montreal Protocol

International agreement phased out the production of CFCs and HCFCs. Both cause the depletion of the ozone layer.

Kyoto Protocol

International agreement aimed to cut down GHGs/carbon emissions. Nations set targets for GHG reduction in multiple gases. USA and Canada did not sign.

Paris Climate Accord

Aimed to respond to the global climate change threat by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2C above pre-industrial levels.

Convergent Boundary

LL: Mountain Range, OO: Trench, OL: Volcanoes

Divergent Plate Boundary

LL: Ridges, OO: Trenches

Type 1 Curve

Most individuals survive through the early stages and mature.

K-Selected

Possess relatively stable populations fluctuating near the carrying capacity of the environment. These species are characterized by having only a few offspring but investing high amounts of parental care. 

Clear Air Acts

Set emission standards for cars, and limits for release of air pollutants.

CITES Treaty

Controls and monitors the international trade in endangered or threatened species of plants and animals.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)

Allows federal government to control the release of hazardous substances, also known as Superfund.

Endangered Species Act

Identifies threatened and endangered species in the U.S., and puts their protection ahead of economic considerations.

Delaney Clause of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

Requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban food additives which are found to cause or induce cancer in humans or animals as indicated by testing.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

Controls hazardous waste with a cradle to grave system.

Limnetic Zone

A well-lit, open surface water, farther from shore, extends to a depth penetrated by light, occupied by phytoplankton, zooplankton, and higher animals; produces food and oxygen that supports most of a lake’s consumers.

Littoral Zone

It is shallow, close to shore, extends to depth penetrated by light; rooted and floating plants flourish.

Profundal Zone

It is deep, no-light regions, too dark for photosynthesis; low oxygen levels; inhabited by fish adapted to cool, dark waters.

Provisioning Services

Any type of benefit to people that can be extracted from nature. Drinking water, timber, wood fuel, natural gas, oils, and plants.

Regulating Services

Benefit provided by ecosystem processes that moderate natural phenomena. Pollination, decomposition, water purification, erosion and flood control, and carbon storage.

Cultural Services

The non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems. Aesthetic inspiration, cultural identity, sense of home, and spiritual experience related to the natural environment.

Supporting Services

Basic natural cycles that nature needs to function. Water cycle, photosynthesis, and the cycling of nutrients between organisms and the soil.

Gross Primary Productivity

The total amount of carbon compounds produced by photosynthesis of plants in an ecosystem in a given period of time.

Net Primary Productivity 

The amount of biomass or carbon produced by primary producers. Obtained by subtracting plant respiratory costs from total photosynthesis.