final unit 4

Weather

The state of the atmosphere with respect to wind, temperature, cloudiness, moisture, pressure, etc.

Climate

The long-term pattern of temperature and precipitation averages at a location.

Greenhouse Effect

A natural process that occurs when greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun, warming the planet's surface and lower atmosphere.

Carbon Dioxide

A greenhouse gas that increases due to deforestation and burning fossil fuels.

Methane

A greenhouse gas that increases largely due to agricultural practices, landfills, and thawing tundra.

Nitrous Oxide

A greenhouse gas that increases largely due to the oxidation of nitrogen-containing compounds from burning fossil fuels.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Synthetic compounds used as refrigerants, cleaning solvents, fire retardants, and in the manufacturing of foam products.

Black Carbon

Particles released to the atmosphere from burning that directly absorb sunlight and heat the atmosphere.

Consequences of Climate Change

Changes in climate patterns, including drier/wetter regions, more frequent storms and fires, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels.

Changing Populations and Ecosystems

Climate cues for animal migration and hibernation; food chains/webs may change; spread of tropical diseases.

Renewable Energy

Energy derived from sources that are not depleted when they are used or are replenished in a short amount of time.

Air Quality

Gases and small particles in the atmosphere that influence ecosystems or human well-being.

Pollution

The addition of any substance or form of energy to the environment at a rate faster than it can be dispersed or processed.

Air Pollution

Gases or particles present in high concentrations that can harm humans, organisms, or structures.

Primary Air Pollutants

Chemicals or particles directly released into the air.

Secondary Air Pollutants

Chemicals and particles formed by reactions of other chemicals or aerosols in the atmosphere.

Point Source Pollution

Stationary, localized sources that can produce a large amount of pollution.

Non-Point Source Pollution

Numerous sources that produce a relatively small amount of pollution individually, adding up quickly.

Hydrologic Cycle

The continuous movement of water between the Earth's atmosphere, land, surface water, and groundwater.

Residence Time of Water

The average time a water molecule resides in a part of the hydrologic cycle.

Watershed

Area of land that drains to form a river or lake; also called drainage basins.

Open Watersheds

Watersheds that eventually drain to the sea.

Closed Watersheds

Watersheds that do not drain to the sea.

Baseline Water Stress

Total annual water withdrawals as a percentage of annual flow in a region.

Recharge Zone

Area from which water enters the water table from the surface.

Discharge Zone

Area where groundwater flows to the surface.

Unconfined Aquifers

Aquifers located beneath recharge zones.

Confined Aquifers

Aquifers trapped between impermeable rock or sediment.

Groundwater

Water that resides in rocks and soil beneath the ground.

Zone of Aeration

Rocks and sediments not saturated with water, also called unsaturated zone.

Water Table

Underground depth where rocks and sediments are saturated with water.

Zone of Saturation

Rocks and sediments that are completely saturated with water.

Subsidence

Sinking of land above an aquifer, which may occur slowly or quickly.

Saltwater Intrusion

Migration of saltwater into freshwater aquifers.