question

replenish themselves or are continuously present as a feature of the environment. -solar, geothermal, tidal, wind, etc. -they currently provide about 12% of the energy used worldwide, primarily from hydroelectricity and firewood.

answer

Renewable Energy

question

are those whose resources are being used faster than can be replenished. -coal, oil, and natural gas

answer

Non-Renewable Energy

question

____ is most abundant fossil fuel. Primarily used for generating electricity. -Lignite, Sub-bituminous, Bituminous, and Anthracite (types)

answer

Coal

question

Fossil fuels supply 80% of world's commercial energy

answer

Percent of world's energy supplied by fossil fuels

question

-Chernobyl is a small city in Ukraine, north of Kiev. -It is site of world's largest nuclear accident, which occurred April 26, 1986. -Experiments were being conducted on reactor, operators violated six important safety rules. -They shut off all automatic warning systems, automatic shutdown systems, & emergency core cooling system for reactor. -In 4.5 seconds, energy level of the reactor increased 2000 times. -cooling water converted to steam and blew the 1102-ton concrete roof from the reactor, reactor core caught fire. -took 10 days to bring the burning reactor under control.

answer

Chernobyl

question

is a device that permits a controlled fission chain reaction. -Nuclear power provides over 16% of the world's electricity.

answer

Nuclear reactor

question

is the elimination of all the individuals of a particular species -the natural rate is ~ 1 species every ten years -current extinctions, & resulting loss of biodiversity, are a consequence of human activities

answer

Extinction

question

is a broad term used to describe the diversity of genes, species, and ecosystems in a region.

answer

Biodiversity

question

-Organisms in small, restricted areas, such as islands. -Environmental changes have large effect. -Specialized organisms, relying on constancy of a few key factors. Organisms at higher trophic levels, low population sizes and reproductive rates.

answer

Risks of Extinction

question

chestnut blight, Asian beetle, Dutch Elm disease, Zebra mussel

answer

Invasive Species

question

(1973) identifies threatened and endangered species in the U.S., and puts their protection ahead of economic considerations

answer

Endangered Species Act

question

a term used to describe the number of kinds of genes present in a population. -high genetic diversity indicates many different kinds of genes present in individuals of a population -low genetic diversity indicates nearly all individuals share the same genes and therefore the same characteristics.

answer

Genetic Diversity

question

-Mutations introduce new genetic information into a population by modifying current genes. -Migration allows movement of genes from one population to another. -Sexual reproduction generates new genetic combinations.

answer

Influences on Genetic Diversity

question

habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation, introduced species, overexploitation of species, pollution, climate change

answer

Causes of Extinction

question

the conversion of arid and semiarid lands into deserts by inappropriate farming practices or overgrazing

answer

Dessertification

question

-much of the harvest is restricted to continental shelf where bottom-dwelling fish can be easily harvested -Trawls are nets dragged along bottom disturbing the seafloor & causing habitat damage

answer

Fish Farming

question

About 25% of catch is undesirable & discarded, but they're usually dead & their removal further alters ecological nature of seafloor

answer

Bycatch

question

-Steam can be created to drive a turbine -Photovoltaic cells can generate electricity directly

answer

Solar Energy System Types

question

solid-state semiconductor that converts sunlight directly into electricity

answer

Photovoltaic cell

question

*what is it, issues, direct combustion, and pyrolysis

answer

Biomass

question

*-difficult to find

answer

Problems with Oil

question

...

answer

Types of reaction in nuclear plant

question

...

answer

Types of Diversity

question

...

answer

Ecosystem Services

question

-Some areas better suited than others, and winds are variable -moving blades produce noise & some consider windmills visual pollution -Moving blades hazardous to birds, though newer windmills have slower-moving rotors that many birds find easier to avoid -Vibrations from generators can cause structural damage

answer

Wind Issues

question

-In geologically active areas hot magma moves to the surface and heats water, hot water can heat buildings or generate electricity through a steam turbine -Wells are drilled to obtain steam trapped underground, and the steam powers electrical generators -U.S. produces 30% of world's geothermal electricity, but accounts for less than 1% of U.S. electrical consumption

answer

Geothermal Energy

question

-Endangered species are those that have such small numbers that they are in immediate danger of becoming extinct -Threatened species could become extinct if a critical environmental factor is changed

answer

Threatened vs. Endangered

question

-Modifications made to enhance the success of a species Managing particular species requires understanding of habitat needs of that species animal's habitat must provide food, water, and cover (protects animals from the elements or enemies) Game species often managed so they don't exceed carrying capacity High reproductive capacities & heavy protection have caused large populations to arise from once-rare animals

answer

Habitat Management

question

-Regulating hunting activity is an important population management technique -When populations get too small, artificial introductions can be implemented -Native species can be reintroduced to areas where they had been extinct -Non-native species are introduced for empty niches

answer

Wildlife Management

question

-about 30% of birds and 15% of plants are threatened because they are unable to successfully compete against invasive exotic species

answer

World Conservation Union estimates of threats from exotic species

question

-Many lumber companies maintain forest plantations as crops & manage them in same way farmers manage crops -Plant single species, even-aged forests of fast growing hybrid trees -Competing species are controlled by fire, and insects controlled by spraying. -Low species diversity and wildlife value

answer

Causes of Loss of Biodiversity

question

a naturally occurring substance of use to humans that can potentially be extracted using current technology

answer

Resource

question

a known deposit that can be economically extracted using current technology, under certain economic conditions -reserves are smaller than resources -reserve levels change as technology advances, new discoveries are made, and economic conditions vary

answer

Reserve

question

High moisture, low energy, crumbly, least desirable form.

answer

Lignite Coal

question

Lower moisture, higher carbon than lignite. Used as fuel for power plants.

answer

Sub-bituminous Coal

question

-Low moisture, high carbon content -Used in power plants and other industry such as steel making. -Most widely used because it is easiest to mine and the most abundant, supplying 20% of the world's energy requirements.

answer

Bituminous Coal

question

Has the highest carbon content, and is relatively rare. It is used primarily in heating buildings and for specialty uses.

answer

Anthracite Coal

question

is the process of removing material on top of a vein, is efficient but destructive.

answer

Surface mining (strip mining)

question

minimizes surface disturbance, but is costly and dangerous. Many miners suffer from black lung disease, a respiratory condition that results from the accumulation of fine coal-dust particles in the miners' lungs.

answer

Underground mining

question

-Coal is bulky, causes some transport problems. -Mining creates dust pollution. -Burning coal releases pollutants (carbon and sulfur). -Millions of tons of material released into atmosphere annually. -Sulfur leads to acid mine drainage and acid deposition. -Mercury is released into the air when coal is burned. -Increased amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide are implicated in global warming.

answer

Problems with Coal

question

-Accidents have raised questions about safety. -Use of nuclear material by terrorists. -Concern about worker and public exposure to radiation. -Weapons production. -Contamination and disposal problems. -There is no permanent storage facility, and many plants are running out of temporary storage.

answer

Problems with Nuclear

question

forest harvesting method in which all the trees in a large area are cut and removed

answer

Clear-cutting

question

is clear cutting in small, unconnected patches; preserves biodiversity.

answer

Patchwork Clear-cutting

question

is single species tree harvesting. It is not as economical, but reduces ecosystem damage.

answer

Selective Harvesting

question

-becoming increasingly important as a source of fish production. -Currently, about 60% of all aquaculture production is from freshwater systems -environmental impacts are similar to those of marine systems: Nutrient overloads Escape into natural waters Land conversion

answer

Aquaculture

Chapters 9, 10, 11 Environmental Science – A Study of Interrelationships – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Haven't found what you were looking for?

Search for samples, answers to your questions and flashcards