Environmental science

Earth Science

Specific subject, focuses on the four earth systems: Hydrosphere, Geosphere, Atmosphere, Biota

Environmental Science

Broad subject, focuses on the biosphere, a combination of those systems

Ecosystem

A community of organisms interacting with their non-living environment

Ecology

The study of relationships between living organisms

Sustainability 

meeting present needs without harming the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

scientific theory

a well-tested scientific statement that is widely accepted and supported by research is called a

lower quality energy 

Whenever energy is converted from one form to another in a physical or chemical change, we end up with

autotroph

An organism that uses inorganic substances for food

elements 

substances that have one type of atom are called

unequally

in a polar bond, two atoms form a molecule that shares electrons

autotroph

When a plant traps light energy in order to synthesize carbohydrates, it is demonstrating that it is a

Hydrosphere

the sum total of all the water on Earth, in all its states—liquid, solid, and vapor—including oceans, rivers, lakes, groundwater, glaciers, and atmospheric moisture

Hydrologic cycle

A generalized model that describes the movement of water between the hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere 

storm runoff

A rapid and intense form of runoff generated from precipitation associated with a thunderstorm, mid-latitude cyclone, or hurricane.

Ocean Acidification

Recent trend of decreasing seawater pH levels in the Earth's oceans caused by absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Chemically this carbon dioxide reacts with seawater to become carbonic acid.

Geosphere

the solid, mineral, rock, and soil component of Earth, extending from the surface through the interior to the inner core

Lithosphere

specific layer within the geosphere, comprising the brittle outermost shell of the Earth

Fossil Fuel

Carbon-based remains of organic matter that has been geologically transformed into coal, oil, and natural gas.

Natural gas

A hydrocarbon derived gas, mainly composed of methane, commonly found in the pores of sedimentary rocks of marine origin.

Methane

very strong greenhouse gas found in our planet's atmosphere.

Hydrofracturing

process where water under pressure enters naturally occurring small cracks in rocks, causing subsequent rock fracturing.

Nuclear energy

Energy released when the nucleus of an atom experiences a nuclear reaction like the spontaneous emission of radioactivity, nuclear fission, or nuclear fusion.

Deforestation

The removal of many trees from a habitat dominated by forest.

Atmosphere

the protective layer of gases surrounding the Earth, composed mainly of nitrogen and oxygen, that is essential for life

Greenhouse effect

causes the atmosphere to trap more heat energy at the Earth's surface and within the atmosphere by absorbing and reemitting longwave radiation

Ozone

Triatomic oxygen that exists in the Earth's atmosphere as a gas

Biosphere

the entire portion of the Earth that supports life, including all living organisms and their environments in the atmosphere, hydrosphere (water), and lithosphere (land).

Habitat fragmentation

A process that causes the breakup of natural habitat into smaller pieces that are then interspersed by fragments of developed land used for human purposes, like forestry, agriculture, grazing, or settlement.