BIO 116, Environmental Science
Biome
A group of ecosystems with similar climates and organisms a major regional complex of similar communities defined by its dominant plant types
A substance widely used in plastics that has raised health concerns as it is an estrogen mimic
BPA (bis-phenol)
Bagasse and sugar cane-based ethanol are major items in the energy resources of ________.
Brazil
An effective cancer treatment drug originally derived from the Pacific Yew Tree
Taxol
The study of the social, political, and economic relationships in cities
Urban sociology
the flow of waste as it moves from its sources toward disposal destinations
Waste stream
urban heat island effect
cities are hotter than surrounding areas
For the US, the primary fuel that we use for our energy is _______.
coal
Subsurface mining is used extensively in the extraction of ________.
coal, phosphate, diamonds, gold
Exurbs
communities that arise farther out than the suburbs and are typically populated by residents of high socioeconomic status
Humus is ________.
composed of organic matter and is necessary to fertility and holding soil moisture
In the US, solar photocells have all the following advantages over fossil fuels, EXCEPT:
larger dollar amounts of tax incentives (subsidies) and development investment
Which of the following is a consequence of acidic deposition?
leaching out important minerals from soils and loss of biodiversity
The ecological footprint concept is that:
like a footprint, our negative impact on the environment is soon erased by natural processes
Two nutrients that cause eutrophication when they pollute aquatic systems are:
nitrogen and phosphorus
Three primary macronutrient elements used by plants
nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
Any useful substance or energy source that we get from the natural environment, is infinite supply, and could never naturally form as fast as humans use it is called a(n) ______ natural resource
nonrenewable
The largest amount of water on Earth is found in....
oceans
More and more wind farms are being located ________ because winds are stronger and there are no major topographic variations in surface elevation to cause turbulence.
offshore
Which one of the following is not one of the four pillars of food security
organics
the measure of concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in an aqueous solution
pH
The cowbird, which deposits its young in the care of another, is an example of a:
parasite
CO2 + H2O + sunlight = sugar + O2
photosynthesis
The largest reservoir of liquid freshwater on Earth is found in...
polar ice caps and glaciers
Leachate
polluted liquid produced by water passing through buried wastes in a landfill
The Love Canal tragedy was related to .....
pollution
point source pollution
pollution that comes from a specific site
nonpoint source pollution
pollution that comes from many sources rather than from a single, specific site
group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area
population
The pH scale ranges from ______________ and measures the _______________ of a water-based solution
0 to 14; acidity
Approximately what percentage of the world's water is fresh and available for use?
1
Approximately what percent of energy in any given trophic level (producer, primary, consumer, or secondary consumer) is contained in the next highest trophic level?
10%
The human population is approximately ________.
7.2 billion
The richest one-fifth of the world's population possesses approximately ________ times the income of the poorest one-fifth, and the richest one-fifth uses over 86% of the world's resources.
80
How dead zone forms
A "dead zone" forms through eutrophication. Excess nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) are found in the water. This can be from excess fertilizers being used anywhere (not just in or near the water) which goes to the water through the ground. Algae blooms which blocks the sunlight so plants die because they cannot photosynthesize. When the algae dies it goes to the bottom where it is consumed and decomposed by bacteria. This uses up the oxygen. No oxygen means the fish cannot survive and therefore a dead zone occurs.
pesticide
A chemical intended to kill insects and other organisms that damage crops.
Eutrophication
A process by which nutrients, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, become highly concentrated in a body of water, leading to increased growth of organisms such as algae or cyanobacteria.
Gentrification
A process of converting an urban neighborhood from a predominantly low-income renter-occupied area to a predominantly middle-class owner-occupied area. The people that normally live there cannot afford to live there anymore and are forced to move.
water pollution
Any physical or chemical change in surface water or groundwater that can harm living organisms or make water unfit for certain uses.
Four pillars of food security
Availability (Is there food?), Accessibility (Can you buy the food?), Adequacy (Is the food healthy enough?), Acceptability (Is the food socially acceptable?)
Raising ________ requires the most land and water.
Beef Cattle
A colorless gas that is used by plants for photosynthesis, given off during respiration and the burning of fossil fuels
CO2 (carbon dioxide)
primary pollutants
Chemical that has been added directly to the air by natural events or human activities and occurs in a harmful concentration.
CERCLA
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act created "superfund"
1992 Basel Convention
Control and reduce international movements/shipping of hazardous wastes
Nutrients are primarily considered a water pollutant because ....
it can lead to eutrophication
1995 Waigani Convention
Establishes global control system for hazardous wastes being shipped from one country to another. Mostly island nations are members
Habitat fragmentation (dividing habitats into small island-like fragments) increases biodiversity. True or False.
False
The notion that Earth's resources are unlimited and that we should freely exploit them best aligns with with of the following?
Frontier ethic
The city of Rochester is located in the ______ watershed
Genesee River
The nuclear power plant closest to Rochester
Ginna
urban ecology
Helps sustainability. Cities must replace linear, one-way, metabolism of importing resources and exporting wastes. Use resources efficiently and recycle Develop environmentally friendly techniques Use locally produced resources Encourage urban agriculture
tropospheric ozone
Human produced ozone, a result of air pollution is a primary pollutant
Which of the following arguments is NOT true concerning hydrofracking?
Hydrofracking will not create any job to stimulate the economy
dead zone
In a body of water, an area with extremely low oxygen concentration and very little life
Impacts of Urban Sprawl
Low-density development that is dispersed and situated on large lots. Geographic separation of essential places such as work, home, school, and shopping High dependence on cars for travel Increased runoff from salt bc of increased roads. Increased fertilization from personal use. Habitat fragmentation. Loss of ecosystem services (production of oxygen lost bc of loss of trees, water filtration being lost bc of building on wetlands Healthy problems (promotes physical inactivity) Economics: drains tax dollars from communities for roads, water and sewer systems, electricity, police and fire services, new schools, etc
The area of rock underneath parts of NYS and Penn that contains natural gas
Marcellus shale formation
Three components of waste management
Minimize waste, recovery/recycling, safe disposal
sprawl
Movement from the cities to the suburbs and exurbs
The largest portion of atmospheric gases is ______
Nitrogen
What is the main environmental benefit of using uranium rather than coal to power electricity generation?
Nuclear emits less greenhouse gas and other air pollutants than coal during normal operation.
An artificial chemical used to kill insects, plants, or fungi
Pesticides
acid mine drainage
Pollution caused when sulfuric acid and dangerous dissolved materials such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium wash from coal and metal mines into nearby lakes and streams. many types of mining, such as mining for coal in West Virginia, produce this specific type of water pollution
Aquaculture
Raising marine and freshwater fish in ponds and underwater cages Can bring economic benefits and food security to many developing regions
Strategies for sustainability
Redefining economic growth and quality of life Reducing unnecessary consumption Limiting population growth Encouraging sustainable "green" technologies Mimicking natural systems and enhancing self-sufficiency Voting and being politically active Think in the long term and promote research and education.
urban agriculture
Reducing the transport of goods
RCRA
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Enacted in 1976 to give EPA "Cradle to Grave" authority on hazardous waste.
photovoltaic cell
Solar energy cells, usually made from silicon, that collect solar rays to generate electricity. Rely on electrical current produced when silicon is struck by sunlight.
During eutrophication, organic matter becomes more abundant on the floor of the water body because:
The abundant algae eventually die and become detrius
Bioaccumulation
The accumulation of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in various tissues of a living organism. The organism absorbs or injests a substance or toxin at a rate faster than it is lost by catabolism or excretion. The toxins are then stored in the specie's fatty tissues
climate
The average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time
Urban sustainability
The goal of improving the social and economic conditions of an increasingly urbanized population while maintaining environmental quality. Meets in the middle of the three goals of environmental, economic, and social.
Biomagnification
The increase in chemical concentration in animal tissues as the chemical moves up the food chain
Hydrofracking
The process of extracting oil and natural gas using high pressure water injected into shale deposits after a well has been created which starts vertical and then goes horizontal. Water, sand, and chemicals are then injected into the rock at high pressure which allows the gas to flow out to the head of the well. The sand is used to block the cracks in the rock to prevent them from closing and allows the gas to continue to escape.
Bycatch
The unintentional catch of nontarget species while fishing
________ strongly influences the amount of energy generated from hydropower.
The volume of water released and the height of the fall
A widely-accepted, well-tested, hypothesis that has been extensively validated by vast amounts of scientific research
Theory
The average number of children born per female member of a population during her lifetime
Total fertility rate (TFR)
A secondary air pollutant created by the interaction of sunlight, heat, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. A major component of smog
Tropospheric Ozone (O3)
climate change
a change in global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change apparent from the mid to late 20th century, and attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels.
Biofuels
a fuel derived directly from living matter. can be created by microbial action or burned directly as wood or dung
A coyote, which can alter its food intake to match seasonal abundance of plants, fruits, or small animals, is considered to be:
a generalist
Removal of which of the following species will always result in the greatest changes in an ecological system?
a keystone species
scrubbers
a machine that moves gases through a spray of water that dissolves many pollutants
Negative feedback loop
a self regulating system. Increased output from the system inhibits future production by the system.
Many types of mining, such as for coal and copper, produce a specific type of water pollution called ________.
acid drainage
The greatest worldwide use of water is for
agriculture
What effect is most likely to result from an endocrine disruptor?
altered hormonal activity
Compared to coal, nuclear power's main environmental health and safety disadvantage is that:
an accident or sabotage could contaminate large areas with dangerous amounts of radioactive material.
Artificial wetlands ________.
are a source of arsenic contamination in Bangladesh
Which type of terrestrial biome experiences hot and dry summers, cool and rainy winters, and is dominated by spiny, evergreen shrubs?
chaparral
Most marine protected areas ________.
are along the coastlines of developed nations
Terracing, contour farming, intercropping, and crop rotation all ________.
are techniques for conserving soil resources and fertility
Sedimentary rock is formed
as sediment materials are pressed together and infiltrated by minerals
The term for an organism that uses energy from sunlight to produce its own food
autotroph or producer
Like the Ogallala aquifier, most aquifiers worldwide are ....
being depleted
In a chemical reaction
bonds between atoms get rearranged and different substances form as a result
The human activity that is primarily responsibly for tropospheric ozone, acid rain, and climate change
burning fossil fuels
The most obvious cause of industrial smog is ________.
burning fossil fuels
Energy conservation in the US
can be improved as individuals make conscious choices to reduce personal consumption
Which of the following policies approaches was the EPA using when it issued permits for the air pollutant sulfur dioxide?
cap-and-trade
______is an example of an element.
carbon
Recent evidence suggest that controlling emissions of this gas would reduce both ozone depletion and global warming ______
carbon dioxide
Which of the following represents photosynthesis
carbon dioxide + sunlight + water => sugar + oxygen
Chemical hazards that cause cancer are known as...
carcinogens
During the carbon cycle, this process converts organic compounds into CO2
cellular respiration
Which of the following releases carbon dioxide?
cellular respiration and combustion of gasoline in a car
The area the underlies the shallow water bordering continents is called the ______
continental shelf
The loss of more than 10% productivity in arid areas due to erosion, soil compaction, forest removal/deforestation, or overgrazing is called ________.
desertification
The rotational energy of the blades of a wind turbine ______
drives a generator inside the nacelle compartment to produce electricity
Tantalum from African coltan is used primarily for the manufacture of ________.
electronics: cell phones, computers, digital cameras
Green Urbanism
encourages energy-efficient houses, redevelopment, clean infrastructure, garden roofs
Biofuels and nuclear power may prove useful as ______.
energies to bridge the time between fossil fuel depletion and new renewables
Which of the following is not recycles but is lost from ecosystems?
energy
Positive feedback loop
enhance or amplify changes; this tends to move a system away from its equilibrium state and make it more unstable.
_____ is defined as the fair and equitable treatment of all people regarding environmental issues.
environmental justice
We lose 5 to 7 million ha of productive cropland per year to ______.
erosion, overirrigaiton and overgrazing
Insects are usually
essential pollinators and predators for successful agriculture
The process of nutrient enrichment, subsequent increased production of organic matter, and eventual ecosystem degradation is known as...
eutrophication
The extinction of a particular population from a given area (but not the entire species globally) is called ________.
extirpation
U.S. oil production ________.
falls far short of U.S. oil consumption
subsistence farming
farming in which only enough food to feed one's family, using only small plots of land and small-scale, simple technology, is produced
Monoculture
farming strategy in which large fields are planted with a single crop, year after year
Nuclear energy in power plants is created via _______
fissioning uranium atoms by bombarding them with neutrons
Which of the following are documented negative impacts of dams?
flooding, habitat destruction, alteration of river sediment deposition
Which one of the following is considered a non-renewable resource?
fossil fuel
Which of the following energy sources is considered nonrenewable?
fossil fuel energy
A nonrenewable natural resource produced by the decomposition and compression of organic matter from ancient life
fossil fuels
Crude oil is _____
fractionated to separate the chemicals used for gasoline, lubricants, plastics and other products
Changes in habitat have tremendous effects on the organisms that depend on them. These effects are ________.
generally negative; organisms are already adapted to the habitats in which they occur and any change is likely to render the habitat less suitable
stratospheric ozone
good ozone, produces oxygen molecules to interact with UV radiation and prevent 95% of it from reaching the surface
Which is an example of an autotroph that uses sunlight as its direct source of energy?
green plant
Biodiversity hotspots ______
have lost 70% of its habitat due to human impact
When magma cools, the result is _______
igneous rock
A species of lizard has gone extinct. This could be due to any of the following reasons except ________.
increased genetic diversity within the species
According to the IPAT model, technology that enhances our acquisition of minerals, fossil fuels, timber, and ocean fish ________.
increases environmental impact
The greatest diversity (numbers of different species) of organisms can be found in ________.
insects
Bullfrog tadpoles are often sold as fish bait, even in areas where they do not occur naturally. When people buy 10 of them and don't use them all, they often dump the remainder into the lake or river. This is an example of ________.
introduced species
In NYS, zebra mussels are an example of an _____
invasive species
a species that spreads widely and rapidly becomes dominant in a community interfering with the community's normal functioning ex: zebra muscles
invasive species
Biodiversity enhances human food security because it ________.
is a potential source of new food items or new genetic varieties of existing foods
The intergovernmental panel on climate change _____
is an international panel that reports on how climate change influences biomes and economies
Earth's climate _______
is changing as a result of natural and human processes
Photochemical smog differs from industrial smog in that it ________.
is formed only in the presence of sunlight
A naturally occurring solid chemical element with a distinct composition and a crystalline structure is a(n) ____
mineral
The atmosphere around Earth can cause global warming because ______
molecules in the atmosphere are warmed by radiation from Earth and retain that heat
An atom with a positive charge has
more protons than electrons
The type of fuel combusted in MCC's Cogen plant
natural gas
Net primary production of phytoplankton is the base of the aquatic food chain. Phytoplankton are:
producers
Having greater evolutionary fitness means:
producing more offspring
Seed banks are important for ____
protecting genetic diversity
All atoms of an element have the same number of
protons
Isotopes of an element have the same number of _____ but different numbers of ______
protons ... neutrons
The dwindling supplies of rare strategic metals such as indium, tantalum, and platinum may be extended if we rigorously ______
recycle existing supplies
species evenness
relative abundance of each species, the number of species in a community, the Sequential Comparison Index
Leaching
removal of dissolved materials (water-soluble nutrients) from soil
suburbs
residential areas surrounding a city
The Montreal Protocol
resulted in significant reduction in the production of CFCs by signatory nations
Which one of the following best illustrates a nonpoint source of pollution?
runoff fertilizers from lawns
Which of the following is true about top predators?
they are likely to be keystone species
To make organic fertilizer by composting, you do not include ______
shredded plastic and metals, waste from animal butchering
Tragedy of the Commons
situation in which people acting individually and in their own interest use up commonly available but limited resources, creating disaster for the entire community
A complex plant-supporting system consisting of disintegrated rock, organic matter, air, water, nutrients, and microorganisms
soil
Natural sources of air pollution come from _____
soil dust, wildfires, and volcanic dust
All of the following are true of using solar photocells, EXCEPT _____
steal the sun's energy
Currently, most pollution in Lake Ontario is caused by
storm water running off surfaces such as yards, city streets, paved lots, and farm fields.
The layer of atmosphere above the troposphere
stratosphere
The change in the composition of a community over time following disturbance to an ecosystem is known as...
succession
a forest that is warmer than the boreal forest, but cooler and drier than a tropical rainforest
temperate forest
Because of biomagnification, we would expect levels of toxins to be highest in a ___
tertiary consumer
Coal continues to be the main fuel used to generate electricity in the United States. This is partially because ________.
the country has such large reserves of coal
Watershed
the geographical area drained by a river the entire area of land from which water drains into a particular water body
When we burn fossil fuels, ________.
the greatest environmental impact is increased greenhouse gases
ecological footprint
the impact of a person or community on the environment, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain their use of natural resources.
carrying capacity
the maximum population size that a given environment can sustain
ecosystem services
the processes by which life-supporting resources such as clean water, timber, fisheries, and agricultural crops are produced
In the vast majority of ecosystems, the energy used to power organisms, regardless of their trophic level, orginally came from...
the sun
passive solar energy collection
the use of building materials, building placement, and design to passively collect solar energy that can be used to keep a building warm or cool.
During eutrophication, phytoplankton and other algae become overabundant primarily because:
their growth is no longer as limited by nutrient scarcity.
The pacific "ring of fire" is a volcanic area where ______
there are many earthquakes and active plate boundaries
Water moves from land to the atmosphere through ______
transpiration and evaporation
The greenhouse effect involves warming of the Earth's surface and the _____
troposphere
Weather patterns are largely determined in the ________.
troposphere
In sustainable farming, "biological control" refers to...
using organisms to manage pests or weeds
Living things are primarily comprised of two types of molecules. These two things are...
water and organic molecules
Factors involved in soil formation are ________.
weathering of parent material, freezing/thawing, tree roots
weather
what conditions of the atmosphere are over a short period of time
pesticide resistance
when there is a natural variation (mutation) in insects and the ones with the mutation become resistant to the pesticide; solution to the problem →make a new pesticide
