Note
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Untitled Flashcards Set
Sequestration – The process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Example: Trees absorb CO₂ through photosynthesis and store it in biomass.
Carbon Sink – A natural system that absorbs and stores more carbon than it releases.
Example: Forests and oceans act as carbon sinks.
Carbon Reservoir – A storage location for carbon in the Earth’s system.
Example: Fossil fuels, the ocean, and soil.
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) – A greenhouse gas produced by respiration and burning fossil fuels.
Example: CO₂ is released from car exhaust and factories.
Decomposition – The breakdown of organic material by bacteria and fungi.
Example: A fallen tree rotting in a forest.
Fossil Fuels – Natural fuels formed from ancient organic matter.
Example: Coal, oil, and natural gas.
Nitrates (NO₃⁻) – A form of nitrogen that plants absorb from the soil.
Example: Found in fertilizers to promote plant growth.
Nitrites (NO₂⁻) – A less stable form of nitrogen in the nitrogen cycle.
Example: Formed during nitrification by bacteria.
Nitrification – The conversion of ammonia (NH₃) into nitrites and then into nitrates.
Example: Soil bacteria converting nitrogen in dead plants into usable nitrates.
Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria – Microorganisms that convert atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into a usable form.
Example: Rhizobium bacteria in root nodules of legumes.
Ammonification – The process of converting organic nitrogen into ammonia.
Example: Decomposers breaking down proteins into ammonia in the soil.
Assimilation – The process where plants absorb nitrates and ammonia to build proteins.
Example: Plants using nitrogen from the soil to grow leaves and roots.
Denitrification – The process where bacteria convert nitrates back into nitrogen gas.
Example: Bacteria in wetland soils releasing N₂ into the atmosphere.
Ammonia (NH₃) – A nitrogen compound produced by decomposition.
Example: Animal waste releasing ammonia into the environment.
Ammonium (NH₄⁺) – A form of nitrogen used by plants for growth.
Example: Found in fertilizers to enrich soil nitrogen.
Soil & Geological Processes
Weathering – The breaking down of rocks into smaller particles.
Example: Acid rain breaking down limestone.
Erosion – The movement of soil and rock by wind, water, or gravity.
Example: Riverbanks wearing away over time.
Runoff – Water that flows over the land instead of soaking into the ground.
Example: Rainwater carrying pesticides into a nearby stream.
Geological Uplift – The process of rocks being lifted to the Earth's surface.
Example: The Himalayan Mountains rising due to tectonic activity.
Leaching – The removal of nutrients from the soil by water movement.
Example: Rainwater washing nitrogen from soil into groundwater.
Decomposers – Organisms that break down dead matter.
Example: Fungi and bacteria recycling nutrients in the soil.
Phosphates (PO₄³⁻) – Essential nutrients in the phosphorus cycle.
Example: Found in fertilizers and detergents.
Phosphorus – A key nutrient for plant growth that does not exist as a gas.
Example: Bone formation in animals.
Erosion – The gradual wearing away of soil and rock.
Example: Coastal cliffs eroding due to ocean waves.
Weathering (Physical & Chemical) – Breakdown of rocks by mechanical (physical) or chemical processes.
Example: Freeze-thaw cycles breaking rocks (physical), acid rain dissolving limestone (chemical).
Degradation – The decline in soil quality due to overuse.
Example: Deforestation leading to nutrient loss.
Texture – The feel of soil based on particle size (sand, silt, clay).
Example: Sandy soil drains quickly.
Density – The mass of soil per unit volume.
Example: Compacted soil has high density and low aeration.
Permeability – The ability of water to flow through soil.
Example: Clay has low permeability, while sand has high permeability.
Nutrients (NPK: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) – Essential elements for plant growth.
Example: Fertilizers containing NPK boost crop yields.
pH – The acidity or alkalinity of soil.
Example: Acidic soils (low pH) can harm plant roots.
Soil Horizons (O, A, E, B, C, R) – Layers of soil with different compositions.
Example: O-horizon is rich in organic matter, while R-horizon is bedrock.
Agriculture & Environmental Issues
Soil Erosion – The removal of topsoil by wind or water.
Example: Overplowed farmland losing fertile soil.
Eutrophication – Excess nutrients causing algae blooms in water.
Example: Fertilizer runoff leading to dead zones in lakes.
GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) – Organisms altered for desired traits.
Example: Bt corn engineered to resist pests.
Tilling – The process of plowing soil before planting crops.
Example: Conventional farming practices that disturb soil structure.
Irrigation – The artificial application of water to crops.
Example: Sprinklers in dry farming regions.
Pesticides – Chemicals used to kill pests.
Example: Insecticides to prevent crop damage.
Herbicides – Chemicals that kill weeds.
Example: Glyphosate (Roundup) used in farming.
Salinization – The buildup of salts in soil due to irrigation.
Example: Salt crust forming on over-irrigated farmland.
Evaporation – The process of water turning into vapor.
Example: Puddles drying up on a hot day.
Pesticide Treadmill – The cycle where pests become resistant to pesticides.
Example: Farmers using stronger pesticides over time.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) – Combining biological, physical, and chemical pest controls.
Example: Using ladybugs to eat aphids instead of pesticides.
CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) – Large-scale livestock farms.
Example: Industrial cattle feedlots.
Greenhouse Gases – Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere.
Example: CO₂ from burning fossil fuels.
Overgrazing – When livestock eat too much vegetation, degrading land.
Example: Desertification in the Sahel due to overgrazing.
Desertification – Land degradation turning fertile areas into deserts.
Example: The expansion of the Sahara Desert.
Endocrine Disruptors – Chemicals that interfere with hormones.
Example: BPA in plastic bottles affecting human health.
Bioaccumulation – The buildup of toxins in an organism.
Example: Mercury in fish.
Biomagnification – The increasing concentration of toxins up the food chain.
Example: DDT accumulating in predatory birds.