155 ways to go APES

enough energy to dislodge or free electrons from atoms, forming ions: capable of causing cancer (gamma, X-rays, UV)

organized and concentrated: can perform useful work (fossil fuels and nuclear energy)

disorganized, dispersed (heat in ocean or air, wind or solar)

energy is neither created or destroyed, but may be converted from on form to another (Law of Conservation of Energy)

when energy is changed from one form to another, some useful energy is ALWAYS degraded into lower quality energy, usually heat.

unstable radioactive decay releasing gamma rays, alpha particles, and beta particles. (ex. Radon)

the time it takes for ½ the mass of a radioactive isotope to decay.

A radioactive isotope must be stored for approximately 10 half-lives until it decays to a safe level.

nuclei of isotopes split apart when struck by neutrons

two isotopes of light elements (H) forced together at high temperatures till they fuse to form a heavier nucleus (He). Process is expensive; break-even point has not yet been reached. Happens in the Sun.

a rock that contains a large enough concentration of a mineral making it profitable to mine.

identified deposits currently profitable to extract.

conservation, increase efficiency, explore alternative energy options.

slow-acting and long lasting because the organic remains need time to be deposited.

cheaper and can remove more minerals, less hazardous to workers

organic, dark material remaining after decomposition by microorganisms.

removal of dissolved materials from soil by water moving downwards

deposit of leached material in lower soil layers (B Horizons)

perfect agricultural soil with optimal portions of sand, silt, clay (40%, 40%, 20%)

conservation tillage, crop rotation, contour plowing, organic fertilizers.

in arid regions, water evaporates leaving salts behind. (ex: Fertile Cresent in southwestern US)

allowing the use of resources in a responsible manner.

setting aside areas and protecting them from human activities.

water completely saturates soil and starves plant roots of oxygen, rots roots.

evaporation, transpiration, runoff, condensation, perception and infiltration.

all of the land that drains into a body of water

underground layers of porous rock allow water to move slowly

lowering of the water table around a pumping well

near the coast, overpumping of groundwater causes saltwater to move into the aquifer.

See-Sawing of air pressure over the South Pacific

trade winds weaken and warm water sloshed back towards South America.Diminished fisheries off South America, drought in western Pacific, increased precipitation in southwestern North America, fewer Atlantic hurricanes

Upwelling decreases disrupting food chains; Northern US has mild winters and Sothwest US has increased rainfall, less Atlantic Hurricanes

Normal" year, easterly trade winds and ocean current pool warm water in the western Pacific, allowing upwelling of nutrient rich water off the West Coast of South America

because atmospheric nitrogen cannot be used directly by plants, it first must be converted into ammonia by bacteria

decomposers convert organic waste to ammonia

ammonia is concerted to Nitrate ion (NO-1)

inorganic N in converted into organic molecules such as DNA/amino acids and proteins.

bacteria convert nitrate (NO3)-1 and nitrite (NO2)-1 back into N2 gas.

it does not exist as a gas, but is released by weathering of phosphate (PO4)-3 rocks.

a slow cycle and not atmospheric

in the growth of plants

runoff of animal wastes, fertilizer, discharge of sewage.

the ability to meet the current needs of humanity with compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs

plants convert CO2 (atmospheric carbon) into complex carbohydrates (sugars) (glucose C6H12O6)

Oxygen (O2) consuming producers, consumers and decomposers break down complex organic compounds and convert Carbon (C ) back into CO2

carbonate (CO3)2- rocks first, oceans second.

the living component of an ecosystem

non-living component of an ecosystem

organisms that make their own food—photosynthetic or chemosynthetic life

producers→ primary consumer→secondary consumer→tertiary consumer

only 10% of the usable energy is transferred to the next trophic level: REASON: because usable energy is lost as heat. (Second law of thermodynamics): not all biomass is digested and absorbed; predators expend energy to catch prey

in ecology, the gradual colonization of a habitat after an environmental disturbance (ex fire, flood), usually by a series of species

development of communities in a lifeless area not recently inhabited by life (ex. retreating glacier) or those in which the soil profile is completely destroyed (lava flows): begin with lichen action

life progresses where soil remains (clear cut forest, vacant lot, old farm or fire)

the stable, final community that develops from ecological succession

occurs when members of two different species live in close physical contact with each other.

symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit

symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other organism is unaffected.

relationship in which one organism (the parasite) obtains nutrients at the expense of the host.

large distinct terrestrial region having similar climate, soil, plants and animals

the number of individuals the can be sustained in an area

reproductive strategy in which organisms reproduce early; bear many small; unprotected offspring (ex. insects, mice)

reproduce late in life; few offspring; care for offspring

when a change in some conditions triggers a response that intensifies the changing condition (warmer Earth—snow melts—less sunlight is reflected and more is absorbed, therefore a warmer Earth)

when a change in some condition triggers a response that counteracts the changed condition (warmer Earth—more ocean evaporation—more stratus clouds—less sunlight reaches the ground—therefore a cooler Earth)

organisms that possess favorable adaptations (traits) and pass them onto the next generation. These organisms have higher reproductive success.

non-Native species to an area; often thrive and disrupt the ecosystem balance; examples African Honeybee; Fire Ant, Zebra Mussel, Purple Loosestrife.

doubling time equals 70 divided by the percent growth rate. For example, if a population is growing at 5% annually, it doubles in 14 years; 70/5 -14 years.the number of children a couple must have to replace themselves (averages 2.1 in developed nations, 2.7 in less developed nations)

the number of children a couple must have to replace themselves (averages 2.1 in developed nations, 2.7 in less developed nations)

7.5 Billion

321 Million

birth and death rates high, population grows slowly, infant mortality high

death rate (infant mortality) lower, birth rates remain high, better health care, population grows fast

decline in birth rate, population growth slows

low birth rate and low death rate

broad base→ rapid growth; narrow base→ negative growth; uniform shape→ zero growth

1. China; 2) India; 3) U.S. and ) Indonesia

low status of women

family planning; contraception, economic rewards and penalties

97.5% Seawater; 2.5% freshwater

drip/trickle irrigation; Industry: recycling; Home: use gray water, repair leaks, low flow fixtures, different types of yard (zeroscape not planting Kentucky Blue grass), time of day watering...

Any wastewater from a house EXCEPT TOILIET WATER; (dish water, shower water...) this water can be used for irrigation water...

farming aquatic species, commonly salmon, shrimp, tilapia, oysters

source from specific location such as pipe or smokestack

source spread over an area such as agricultural/feedlot runoff, urban runoff, and traffic runoff

first step of sewage treatment; eliminates most particulate material from raw sewage using grates, screens, and gravity (settling).

second step of sewage treatment; bacteria breakdown organic waste; aeration accelerates the process.

amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic decomposers to break down organic materials

rapid algal growth (algal bloom) caused by an excess of nitrogen and phosphorous, blocks sunlight, causing the death/decomposition of aquatic plants, decreasing dissolved oxygen (DO), suffocating fish. The rapid growth is caused by an excess nitrates (NO3)-1, and phosphates (PO4)3- in water.

water with very low dissolved oxygen levels, the end result is eutrophication. The BOD rises as aerobic decomposers breakdown the plants , the dissolved oxygen (DO) drops and the water cannot support life.

Coccus (round shaped bacteria); indicator of sewage contamination (Happens over the summer at Chatfield or Cherry Creek Reservoir once in a while.)

Good: disinfection of water; Bad: forms trihalomethanes (this group of compounds are byproducts of chlorination and are known carcinogens)

(1932-1968 Japan) mental impairments caused by methylmercury (CH3Hg)+1 poisoning

Corporate Average Fuel Economy : standards enacted into law in 1975, established fuel efficiency standards for passenger cars and light trucks. The fuel economy ratings fro a manufacture's entire line of passenger cars must currently average at least 27.6 mpg for the manufacturer to comply with the standard.

produced by human and nature (CO, CO2, SOx NOx,hydrocarbons, particulates)

formed by reaction of primary pollutants.

a.  Source:  burning fossil fuels and diesel exhaust

b.  Effects:  reduces visibility and respiratory irritation

c.  Reduction:  filtering, electrostatic precipitators, alternative energy

a.  Source :  auto exhaust

b.  Effects:  acidification of lakes, respiratory irritation, leads to smog and ozone

c.  Equation For Acid Formation:  NO + O2   🡪 NO2  + H2O 🡪 HNO3

d.  Reduction:  Catalytic Converter

a.  Source:  combustion of fossil fuels

b.  Effects:  greenhouse gas—contributes to global warming

c.  Reduction:  accomplished by increased fuel efficiency (gas mileage) mass transit (reduction)

a.  Source:  coal burning

b.  Effects:  acid deposition, respiratory irritation, damages plants

c.  Equation for acid formation:  SO2 +O2🡪 SO3 + H2O 🡪 H2SO4

d.  Reduction:  scrubbers, burn low sulfur fuels