Ch. 14-19
carbon oxides
(CO2 and CO) Sources include burning fossil fuels, incomplete combustion. Effects: CO binds to hemoglobin reducing bloods ability to carry O; CO2 contributes to global warming. Reduction accomplished by catalytic converters, oxygenated fuel, mass transit (reduction).
plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
-A hybrid electric vehicle that can be recharged by plugging it in to an external source of electric power as well by its on-board engine and generator
incandescent light bulb/heat bulb
-A source of electric light that works by incandescence -An electric current passes through a thin filament, heating it until it produces light -The enclosing glass bulb prevents the oxygen in the air from reaching the hot filament, which otherwise would be destroyed rapidly by oxidation -Sometimes called electric lamps/arc lamps
Yucca Mountain, Nevada
-The proposed site for permanent storage of high-level nuclear waste, 70 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Critics are concerned about the safety of transporting high-level radioactive waste to the site and the proximity of the site to a volcano and earthquake faults. -controversial as proposed site for permanent storage of high-level nuclear waste, 70-miles northwest of Las Vegas, near volcano and earthquake faults.
direct heating systems
-gas wall heaters, floor heaters, and room heaters. Unlike gas furnaces -do not use ducts to move heated air throughout a home, but rather provide heat directly to the area where they are installed.
oral rehydration therapy (ORT)
-treatment for infant diarrhea that involves drinking a solution of salt and glucose mixed with clean water -a treatment in which a solution of electrolytes is administered in a liquid preparation to counteract the dehydration that can accompany severe diarrhea
passive smoking
-unintentional inhalation of tobacco smoke -exposure can put one at risk for numerous diseases including: cancer, heart disease, and lung infections -low-birth weight, prematurity, stillbirths, and SIDS have been associated with maternal smoking -smoking in presence of children is associated with development of bronchitis, pneumonia, middle ear infections, and an increase in frequency/severity of asthma attacks
5 choices when resource is economically depleted
1) recycle/reuse 2) less waste 3) use less 4) substitutes 5) do without
risk analysis
1) risk assessment 2) comparative risk analysis 3) risk management 4) risk communication
Dirty Dozen/POP
12 chemicals identified by the Stockholm Convention in 2000 that can accumulate in fatty tissues of humans and other organisms that occupy high trophic levels in food webs.
OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries)
13 countries, one of largest businesses, control a lot of current and future oil
nontoxic
15000+ mg/kg water
convergent oceanic-oceanic
2 oceanic plates push together, older plate sub ducts and forms a chain of volcanic islands, ex. Aleutian Islands and Japanese Islands
stratospheric ozone equation
3O2+UV=2O3
minor earthquake
4.0-4.9 on the Richter scale
extremely toxic
5-50 mg/kg heroin
damaging earthquake
5.0-5.9 on the Richter scale
very toxic
50-500 mg/kg codeine
moderately toxic
500-5000 mg/kg DDT
slightly toxic
5000-15000 mg/kg lysol
destructive earthquake
6.0-6.9 on the Richter scale
PCB
6oo chlorine containing organic compounds; stable; nonflammable; oily liquids--> air as vapor; fat soluble (biomagnified); used in many things cause cancer and birth defects persistent tho banned in '77--slow break down in environ
major earthquake
7-7.9
air composition
78% nitrogen 21% oxygen .01-4% water vapor (poles to tropics) .93% Ar .038% Co2 soot, dust, ethane, ozone, N2O
fossil fuel era
82% of our energy coming from nonrenewable oil, natural gas, and coal resources
pure ethanol/E85
85% ethanol fuel used in flexible fuels cars only
Largest earthquake ever recorded
9.5 in Chile in 1960
Supertoxic chemicals
<5 nerve gas
fault/fracture
A break in the earth's crust
photochemical smog (brown air smog)
A brownish haze that is a mixture of ozone and other chemicals, formed when pollutants react with each other in the presence of sunlight and cars NO2 gives a reddish-brown coloration irritates eyes and breathing peaks on hot days with many cars Bangkok, LA warm, sunny, dry climates
fuel rods
A cylindrical tube that encloses nuclear fuel within a nuclear reactor
seismograph
A device that records ground movements caused by seismic waves as they move through Earth
solar cookers
A device which uses sunlight as its energy source. Because they use no fuel and they cost nothing to run, humanitarian organizations are promoting their use worldwide to help slow deforestation and desertification, caused by using wood as fuel for cooking.
biodiesel
A diesel-equivalent, processed fuel derived from biological sources (such as vegetable oils), that can be used in unmodified diesel-engine vehicles.
infectious disease
A disease that is caused by a pathogen and that can be spread from one individual to another. multiplies in cells/tissue ex. flu, malaria, HIV
refinery
A factory in which crude oil is heated and separated into fuels and other products
negative feedback loop
A feedback loop in which a system responds to a change by returning to its original state, or by decreasing the rate at which the change is occurring--corrective, less common
Alternating Current (AC)
A flow of electric charge that regularly reverses its direction.
coal
A fossil fuel that forms underground from partially decomposed plant material
continental shelf
A gently sloping, shallow area of the ocean floor that extends outward from the edge of a continent
tsunami (tidal waves)
A giant wave usually caused by an earthquake beneath the ocean floor or sudden up and down movement of ocean floor
power tower
A high-temperature concentrating solar power system in which thousands of mirrors arranged in concentric rings around a tall central tower track the sun and focus light on a heat absorber to generate steam, which drives an electrical generator.
ozone
A highly reactive molecule containing three oxygen atoms; a dangerous pollutant in ambient air. In the stratosphere, however, ozone forms an ultraviolet-absorbing shield that protects us from mutagenic radiation.
asbestos
A long, thin, fibrous silicate mineral with insulating properties, which can cause cancer when inhaled. pipe insulation lung disease/cancer
toxicity
A measure of the harmfulness of a substance -- its ability to cause injury, illness, or death to a living organism
biomass
A measure of the total dry mass of organisms within a particular region
folded mountain
A mountain that forms as continental crust is compressed and rocks bend into large folds
nonrenewable resource
A natural resource that is not replaced in a human lifespan
rock
A naturally occurring solid mixture of one or more minerals or organic matter
strip mining
A process whereby miners strip away at the surface of the earth to lay bare the mineral deposits
hydropower
A resource where falling water turns a turbine in a dam, which is connected to a generator that converts kinetic energy into electrical energy.
rock cycle
A series of processes on the surface and inside Earth that slowly changes rocks from one kind to another has natural minerals needed for life
epidemiological studies
A study that involves large-scale comparisons amoung groups of people, ussually contrasting a group known to have been exposed to some toxicant and a group that has not
immune system
A system (including the thymus and bone marrow and lymphoid tissues) that protects the body from foreign substances and pathogenic organisms by producing the immune response antibodies
geothermal heat pump
A system that actively moves heat from the underground into a house to warm it or removes heat from a house to cool it
cleaner production
A systematically organized approach to production activities, which has positive effects on the environment. These activities encompass resource use minimization, improved eco-efficiency and source reduction, in order to improve the environmental protection and to reduce risks to living organisms.
physical hazard
A tangible characteristic of property, persons, or operations that tends to increase the frequency or severity of loss.
convergent boundary
A tectonic plate boundary where two plates collide, come together, or crash into each other.
bitumen
A thick, sticky, tar-like heavy oil with a high sulfur content.
virus
A tiny, nonliving particle that invades and then reproduces inside a living cell.
Montreal Protocol (1987)
A treaty put together to cut emissions of CFCs by 35% between 1989 and 2000.
mildew
A type of fungus that affects plants or grows on inanimate objects, but does not cause human infections in the salon.
metamorphic rock
A type of rock that forms from an existing rock that is changed by heat, pressure, or chemical reactions.
volcano
A vent or fissure in the Earth's surface through which magma and gases are expelled
extinct volcano
A volcano that has not erupted for thousands of years and probably will not erupt again.
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by HIV, which damages the cells in the body's immune system so that the body is unable to fight infection or certain cancers.
Aluminum
Al
ethanol
Alcohol made by converting starches and sugars from plant material into alcohol and CO2. fermentation and distillation of sugars and from waste
multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)
Also known as "environmental illness," a condition whereby individuals experience adverse reactions when exposed to low levels of chemicals found in everyday substances.
Chernobyl Disaster
An accident at a nuclear plant in the Ukraine that released radioactive clouds over Europe full meltdown--explosion blew roof off of reactor building and fire made a radioactive cloud world impacted
Formaldehyde
An air pollutant that is a colorless chemical used to manufacture building materials and many household products, such as particleboard, hardwood plywood paneling, and urea-formaldehyde foam insulation. eye, throat, skin, and lung irritation, nausea and dizziness
fuel cell
An electrical-chemical device that converts fuel, such as hydrogen, into an electrical current.
global warming
An increase in the average temperature of the earth's atmosphere (especially a sustained increase that causes climatic changes)
petroleum
Another name for oil
physical weathering
Any process that breaks rock down into smaller pieces without changing the chemistry of the rock; typically wind and water.
ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge)
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, fragile Tundra protected for caribou, fowl and polar bears that is currently closed to oil development, want to open to development but really not enough oil to be worth degrading the ecosystem over
5 most toxic substances
Arsenic Lead Mercury Vinyl chloride ( used o make PVC plastic pipes) PCB's ( banned in the U.S in 1970 - 70% is still in the environment
gold
Au
examples of igneous rock
Basalt, granite, obsidian, scoria.
ethane
C2H6
propane
C3H8
butane
C4H10
ozone depleting chemicals
CFCs Halons Mathyl bromide carbon tetrachloride methyl chloroform hydrogen chloride
output strategy
Capture and store CO2
petrochemicals
Chemicals obtained by refining (distilling) crude oil. They are used as raw materials in manufacturing most industrial chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, plastics, synthetic fibers, paints, medicines, and many other products.
eruption cloud
Clouds of small tephra (ash) miles above the volcano.
cobalt
Co
energy-efficient diesel car
Common in Europe but emit more air pollution and less fuel efficient than current hybrid cars Can be equipped to run on traditional diesel fuel (petroluem based product) or biodiesel (can be made from plant-based products)
indoor air pollution
Compounds that affect breathing that occur indoors. Examples: woodstove smoke, furnace emissions, formaldehyde, radon, household chemicals
mineral resource
Concentration of naturally occurring solid, liquid, or gaseous material in or on the earth's crust in a form and amount such that extracting and converting it into useful materials or items is currently or potentially profitable. Mineral resources are classified as metallic (such as iron and tin ores) or nonmetallic (such as fossil fuels, sand, and salt).
coal liquefaction
Conversion of solid coal to a liquid hydrocarbon fuel such as synthetic gasoline or methanol.
coal gasification
Conversion of solid coal to synthetic natural gas (SNG).
glacial periods
Cool periods- more ice volume. Can consist of: less water in the oceans: global sea level fall. 4 periods within the past 400,000 years
chromium
Cr
copper
Cu
nuclear power fuel cycle
Cycle required to produce nuclear power, which includes extracting and processing uranium ore, converting it into nuclear fuel, building and operating the nuclear power plant, safely storing the resulting highly radioactive wastes for thousands of years, dismantling the plant after its useful life (typically 40-60 years), and safely storing the highly radioactive parts for thousands of years.
D-T fusion reaction
Deuterium and Tritium (hydrogen isotopes) into energy and another element
pollution prevention
Device, process, or strategy used to prevent a potential pollutant from forming or entering the environment or to sharply reduce the amount entering the environment.
Direct Current (DC)
Electric current that flows in only one direction
first law of thermodynamics
Energy can be transferred and transformed, but it cannot be created or destroyed.
Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)
Especially dangerous air pollutants, including carcinogens, neurotoxins, mutagens, teratogens, endocrine system disrupters, and other highly toxic compounds.
subsurface mining
Extraction of a metal ore or fuel resource such as coal from a deep underground deposit.
Convergent Continental-Continental
Features: mountain ranges, mountains Example: Himalayas
Estrogen
Female sex hormone
dry deposition
Fine particulate matter and aerosols settling from the atmosphere onto lake and land surfaces during periods with no precipitation, 2-3 days to distribute near source
Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE)
First enacted by Congress in 1975, CAFE regulations are meant to increase the average fuel economy of cars and light trucks sold in the United States. not really doing its job anymore
heliostat
Flat sun-tracking mirrors used to reflect and concentrate the suns' energy onto a central receiver tower.
contour strip mining
Form of surface mining used on hilly or mountainous terrain. A power shovel cuts a series of terraces into the side of a hill. An earthmover removes the overburden, and a power shovel extracts the coal. The overburden from each new terrace is dumped onto the one below.
Convergent Oceanic-Continental
Forms a trench, can cause earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountains.
synthetic natural gas (SNG)
Gaseous fuel containing mostly methane produced from solid coal.
Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)
Gives the citizens the right to know what toxic chemicals are being stored or released in their communities. (Releases HAP emissions also)
metallic minerals
Have shiny surfaces, do not let light shine through them, and are good conductors of heat and electricity.
energy efficiency
How much useful work we get from each unit energy
HCFCs
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons any of a class of inert compounds of carbon, hydrogen, hydrocarbons, chlorine, and fluorine, used in place of chlorofluorocarbons as being somewhat less destructive to the ozone layer. warm the troposphere 10000x more than co2
hydrogen fuel
Hydrogen gas or the chemical mixture of hydrogen and oxygen used to produce electricity generates electricity by reacting hydrogen with oxygen
overburden
Layer of soil and rock overlying a mineral deposit. Surface mining removes this layer.
LED
Light Emitting Diode
lava
Magma that reaches Earth's surface
androgen
Male sex hormone
examples of metamorphic rock
Marble, slate, gneiss.
probability
Mathematical statement about how likely it is that harm comes from a hazard (i.e. 1 in 250 die) estimate of likelihood of event
magnitude
Measure of the energy released during an earthquake
Copenhagen Protocol 1992
Meeting where representatives of 93 countries met in London in 1990 and in Copenhagen, Denmark (1992), and adopted this as an amendment to the Montreal Protocol which accelerated the phasing out of key ozone-depleting chemicals.
manganese
Mn
Molybdenum
Mo
magma
Molten rock beneath the earth's surface
basal cell carcinoma
Most common and least severe type of skin cancer; often characterized by light or pearly nodules. no metastasizes
Bird Flu/Avian Flu
Most people who have developed symptoms of this disease have had close contact with sick birds. In a few cases, this disease has passed from one person to another.. Mainly found in Asia. Causes fever and abdominal pain, and can be fatal. No cure, vaccine in the works.
malignant Melanoma
Most serious form of skin cancer; often characterized by black or dark brown patches on the skin that may appear uneven in texture, jagged, or raised. metastasizes
metastasizes
Moves and spreads
photochemical oxidants
NO2, O3, PANs react and oxidize with compounds in the atmosphere and lungs
unconventional natural gas
Natural gas that is more difficult to access and therefore more expensive to extract than "conventional" reserves
"the Saudi Arabia of wind power"
North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Texas (Great Plains States)
Katrina
On August 29th this caused massive amounts of destruction on the gulf coast including over 80 billion dollars in damage. Name the hurricane that ravaged Louisiana in 2005.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Organic compounds that exist as gases in the atmosphere and act as pollutants, some of which are hazardous. hydrocarbons like isoprene, terpenes, methane, benzene, TCE, etc make disease like lukemia and damage immune system, short term sickness to death
interglacial periods
Periods of time lasting thousands of years that are characterized by relatively warm air temps. And high sea levels. alternate with glacial periods.
epicenter
Point on Earth's surface directly above an earthquake's focus
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.
severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
Potentially life-threatening viral infection that usually starts with flulike symptoms. severe and highly contagious viral lung infection with high fever; threatened worldwide epidemic in 2003
full-cost pricing
Pricing method that includes the harmful environmental costs of mining and processing minerals in the prices of items
erosion
Processes by which rock, sand, and soil are broken down and carried away (i.e. weathering, glaciation)
cogeneration/combined heat and power (CHP)
Production of two useful forms of energy, such as high-temperature heat or steam and electricity, from the same fuel source.
ozone layer "global sunscreen"
Protective layer in atmosphere that shields earth from UV radiation. (out 95%) life exists, no sunburn, cataracts, damage to immune system, etc
platinum
Pt
open pit mining
Removing minerals such as gravel, sand, and metal ores by digging them out of the earth's surface and leaving an open pit.
reserves
Resources that have been identified and from which a usable mineral can be extracted profitably at present prices with current mining or extraction technology.
sedimentary rocks
Rocks formed from the weathering, erosion, depostion, and compaction of other rocks
tectonic plates
Sections of the Earth's crust that move due to convection currents. a block of lithosphere that consists of the crust and the rigid, outermost part of the mantle
sand
Sio2
particulates
Small particles of dust released into the atmosphere by many natural processes and human activities
micro-hydro generators
Small power generators that can be used in low-level rivers to provide economical power for four to six homes, freeing them from dependence on large utilities and foreign energy supplies.
solar capital
Solar energy from the sun reaching the earth.
kerogen
Solid, waxy mixture of hydrocarbons found in oil shale rock similar to bitumen
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
Source: auto exhaust, unvented gas stoves Effects: acidification of lakes, respiratory irritation, leads to smog & ozone Equation for acid formation: NO + O2 = NO2 + H2O = HNO3 Reduction: catalytic converter
superinsulation
Such heavy insulation that heat from direct sunlight, appliances, and human bodies can warm it with little or no need for other heating systems
Sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a colorless gas with an irritating odor. About one-third of the SO2 in the atmosphere comes from natural sources as part of the sulfur cycle.The other two thirds come from human sources (mostly combustion of sulfur-containing coal). IN the atmosphere, SO2 can be converted to aerosols which are made up of suspended droplets of sulfuric acid.
passive solar heating system
System that captures sunlight directly within a structure and converts it into low-temperature heat for space heating or for heating water for domestic use without the use of mechanical devices. cheapest way
solar thermal systems
System that uses any of various methods to collect and concentrate solar energy in order to boil water and produce steam for generating electricity. high temperature thermal energy used directly or to make steam
active solar heating system
System that uses solar collectors to capture energy from the sun and store it as heat for space heating and water heating. Liquid or air pumped through the collectors transfers the captured heat to a storage system such as an insulated water tank or rock bed. Pumps or fans then distribute the stored heat or hot water throughout a dwelling as needed.
bioaccumulation
The accumulation of a substance, such as a toxic chemical, in various tissues of a living organism.
dose
The amount of substance given at one time.
optimism bias
The belief that bad things happen to other people but not to us
transform boundary
The boundary between tectonic plates that are sliding past each other horizontally
divergent boundary
The boundary between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other
weathering
The chemical and physical processes that break down rock at Earth's surface.
surface mining
The extraction of mineral and energy resources near Earth's surface by first removing the soil, subsoil, and overlying rock strata.
geo-engineering
The intentional manipulation of the global environment to limit global warming
divergent oceanic-oceanic
The landforms formed by this boundary are mid-ocean rigdes. Examples: Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the Iceland volcano
Clean Air Act of 1970
The law aimed at combating air pollution, by charging the EPA with protecting and improving the quality of the nation's air.
mantle
The layer of hot, solid material between Earth's crust and core.
central vent
The main channel in the neck of a volcano where magma erupts.
Kyoto Protocol (1997)
The main international treaty on global warming, which entered into effect in 2005 and mandates cuts in carbon emissions. Almost all the world's major countries, except the United States, are participants.
focus
The point beneath Earth's surface where rock breaks under stress and causes an earthquake
continental crust
The portion of the earth's crust that primarily contains granite, is less dense than oceanic crust, and is 20-50 km thick
green architecture
The practice of designing and building homes with environmental considerations such as energy efficiency, recycling, and conservation of natural resources in mind
reliability
The probability that a component part, equipment, or system will satisfactorily perform its intended function under given circumstances, such as environmental conditions, limitations as to operating time, and frequency and thoroughness of maintenance for a specified period of time.
subduction
The process by which oceanic crust sinks beneath a deep-ocean trench and back into the mantle at a convergent plate boundary.
smelting
The process by which ore is melted to separate the useful metal from other elements.
chemical weathering
The process in which rock is broken down by changes in its chemical makeup
carbon capture and storage (CCS)
The process of capturing waste CO2, transporting it to a storage site, and depositing it where it will not enter the atmosphere, normally underground.
vertical wind shear
The rate of change of horizontal wind speed or direction with altitude.
risk assessment
The scientific process of using statistical methods to estimate how much harm a particular hazard can cause to human health or to the environment. 1) hazard identification 2) probability of risk 3) consequences of risk
earthquake
The shaking that results from the movement of rock beneath Earth's surface.
asthenosphere
The soft layer of the mantle on which the lithosphere floats.
crust
The thin and solid outermost layer of the Earth above the mantle
depletion time
The time it takes to use a certain fraction, usually 80%, of the known or estimated supply of a nonrenewable resource at an assumed rate of use. Finding and extracting the remaining 20% usually costs more than it is worth.
ore mineral
The valuable mineral, a metallic element, that can be separated from the rock in which it is found.
coolant
The water that is circulated through the condenser from a lake, river, or ocean in order to prevent meltdowns and remove heat
earth tubes
These are being made to naturally cool houses by sticking tubes underground when the earth is cool. (Seasonal Energy-Efficiency Rating as well).
fuelwood crisis
They run out of wood and they harvest it faster than it can be replenished
malaria
This disease is commonly associated with poverty and is spread by mosquitos. Each year 1-3 million people mostly in sub-saharan Africa die of this diesase and hundreds of millions are infected. fever, chills, sweat, anemia, abdomen pain, etc
materials revolution
This new era of using things like ceramics and plastics are being used in place of minerals and metals. More nanotechnology as well. reduces need for resources, money, and pollution substitutes are not a cure all
tipping point/threshold level
Threshold level at which an environmental problem causes a fundamental and irreversible shift in the behavior of a system.
lyme disease
Tick-borne disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi.
net energy
Total amount of useful energy available from an energy resource or energy system over its lifetime, minus the amount of energy used (the first energy law), automatically wasted (the second energy law), and unnecessarily wasted in finding, processing, concentrating, and transporting it to users.
Industrial smog (gray-air smog)
Type of air pollution consisting mostly of a mixture of sulfur dioxide, suspended droplets of sulfuric acid formed from some of the sulfur dioxide, and suspended solid particles. has a gray color due to suspended air particles peaks in winter London and Donora PA
squamous cell carcinoma
Type of skin cancer more serious than basal cell carcinoma; often characterized by scaly red papules or nodules. metastasizes
area strip mining
Type of surface mining used where the terrain is flat. An earthmover strips away the overburden, and a power shovel digs a cut to remove the mineral deposit. After removal of the mineral, the trench is filled with overburden, and a new cut is made parallel to the previous one. The process is repeated over the entire site.
General Mining Act of 1872
U.S. law that legalized and promoted mining by private individuals on public lands for just $5 per acre, subject to local customs, with no government oversight. -encourage mineral exploration and mining of hard-rock minerals and development of the west -frozen in 1995 (get rich quick schemes)
clean air act 1956
UK legislation to control smoke pollution
Donora, Pennsylvania Smog Disaster
US biggest air pollution diasaster, 20 dead
compact fluorescent light bulb
Uses 1/4 as much energy to provide the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs.
chemical hazard
When a chemical poses a danger to organisms
biomass plantation
Where large numbers of fast-growing trees (especially cottonwoods, poplars, sycamores and leucaenas), shrubs, and water hyacinths are planted to be burned directly and converted into burnable gas, or fermented into a liquid alcohol fuel. Located on semi-arid land.
Magma reservoir
Where magma is stored
straw bale house
a building method that uses bales of straw (commonly wheat, rice, rye and oats straw) as structural elements, building insulation, or both. This construction method is commonly used in natural building or "brown" construction projects.
hybrid car
a car with a gasoline engine and an electric motor, each of which can propel it
possibility
a chance that something may happen or be true
mutagens
a chemical that mutates/changes DNA or increases the frequency of changes--> no harm/cancers/disorders HNO2--> stomach cancer from NO2- preservative
carbon monoxide
a colorless, odorless toxic flammable gas formed by incomplete combustion of carbon. faulty furnace headache, drowsiness, death
energy conservation
a decrease in energy use based primarily on reducing unnecessary waste of energy
shale oil
a distillate from oil shale that have been crushed and heated.
positive feedback loop
a feedback loop in which change in a system is amplified--harmful, more common
Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB)
a form of tuberculosis that is caused by an organism that is resistant to medication that is used to treat TB incurable must quarantine those who have it in 45 countries and severe threat
dose-response curve (DRC)
a formal graph of a drug's effects (on the y-axis) versus the dose given (on the x-axis)
Brownfields
a former industrial or commercial site where future use is affected by real or perceived environmental contamination.
spoil bank
a hill of loose rock created when the overburden from a new trench is put into the already excavated trench during strip mining
Ecoindustrial evolution
a increased use of Ecoindustrial parks/industrial ecosystems in modern life
smokestacks
a large tall chimney through which combustion gases and smoke can be evacuated
richter scale
a logarithmic scale of 1 to 10 used to express the energy released by an earthquake
gravel
a loose aggregation of small water-worn or pounded stones.
gasohol
a mixture of gasoline and ethyl alcohol used as fuel in internal combustion engines (10-23% pure ethanol)
fossil fuels
a natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.
mineral
a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystal structure and a definite chemical composition
lead
a neurotoxin that is esp. dangerous to kids. has been controlled in many countries but millions of kids still at risk. need to remove lead from things and ban the usage of lead in commercial products and the emission of it in industrial processes
ecological medicine
a new interdisciplinary field devoted to tracking down these unwanted connections between animals and humans
nuclear fusion
a nuclear reaction in which atomic nuclei of low atomic number fuse to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy. (high heat and pressure)
jatropha shrub
a potential source of biodiesel lots of oil with no refining tropical not high input an invasive species
light-water reactor
a reactor that uses natural water as a moderator and coolant, and low-enriched uranium as fuel; the most common type of power reactor currently in use. It must be shut down to change fuel.
ore
a rock that contains a large enough concentration of a mineral making it profitable to mine
limestone
a sedimentary rock consisting mainly of calcium that was deposited by the remains of marine animals CaCO3
continental slope
a steep incline of the ocean floor leading down from the edge of the continental shelf
steel
a strong, hard metal made of iron and carbon
emissions trading
a system by which countries and organizations receive permits to produce a specified amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which they may trade with others.
switchgrass
a tall North American grass being developed as a renewable source of energy
poplar
a tall, fast-growing tree of north temperate regions
threshold dose response model
a threshold dosage must be reached before any detectable harmful effects occur
igneous rock
a type of rock that forms from the cooling of molten rock at or below the surface
suspended particulate matter (SPM)
a variety of solid particles and liquid droplets small and light enough to remain suspended in the air for short to long periods. 62% of SPM comes from natural sources while 38% come from human sources. fine and ultrafine most harmful--> upset throat, damage lungs, mutations from radioactive sources, decrease visibility and damage materials and death
epidemic
a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time. (ebola)
case reports
accounts of a single occurrence of a noteworthy health-related incident or small collection of such events
wet deposition
acidic rain, fog, and snow, 4-14 days to distribute far from source
supply of minerals is dependent on...
actual/potential supply rate used at
"age of wind energy"
age where energy produces three fourths of the world wind-generated power
microbicides
agents that kill microbes; also called germicides
UV-A
aging, suntan, deep into skin, long wavelength, can cause cancer and sunburn
input strategy
aka prevention strategies
three mile ils
america lost coolant partial meltdown expensive cleanup regulations and evac. plan improved reluctant to build more unknown amount of radioactivity released
fuel cells
an electrochemical cell that uses replenishable substances such as hydrogen or oxygen or water to produce electricity
pit
an excavation or cut made at the surface of the ground for the purpose of extracting ore and which is open to the surface for the duration of the mine's life.
methane hydrate
an ice-like solid consisting of molecules of methane embedded in a crystal lattice of water molecules found under artic permafrost in tundra or under the ocean floor
fissure
an opening; a groove; a split
coal bed methane gas
an unconventional natural gas found in coal beds across the US and Canada, was once a by-product of the coal industry, it is an important source of methane and natural gas
nonthreshold dose-response model
any dosage of a toxic chemical causes harm that increases with the dosage
biological hazard
any living organism or waste of living organism that may contaminate food. Ex. mushrooms, seafood, and meat
cancer
any malignant growth or tumor caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division
biological weathering
any weathering that's caused by the activities of living organisms.
The Big Melt
artic temperatures are increasing 2x faster than rest of world leading to rapid ice melting
cleaner production strategies
audits - including suppliers and waste and energy, policies, certification, environmental impact assessment, life cycle analysis, training, publicising goals and results and monitoring progress
Emergency Core Cooling System
backup for preventing meltdowns of nuclear reactors
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)
buildings with poor air quality that affect the health and productivity of those who work, obtain services, or life there Situation in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building but no specific illness or cause can be identified. dizziness, headaches, cough, sneeze, flu-like, respiratory, depression, etc
thyroid disrupters
can cause growth, weight, brain and behavioral disorders.
mucus
captures small but not smallest particles and dissolves some gaseous pollutants
flexible fuel car
cars that can use a variety of gases in their engines
tetratogens
cause harm/birth defects to embryo or fetus angel dust, vinyl chloride, PCB's
nontransmissible disease
caused by something other than a living organism and does not spread from one person to another; spread slowly and have multiple causes, increasing cause of death with a higher life expectancy
hormonally active agents (HAA)
chemicals that either 1) act like hormones or 2) block the effect of hormones aluminum, DDT,PCB
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)/freons
chemicals used in coolants, solvents, and aerosol cans that damage the ozone layer
ozone thinning
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) act as catalysts in chemical reactions that break down O3 molecules in the ozone layers
Oil sands (tar sands)
clay, sand, water and bitumen
world's dirtiest fossil fuel
coal
hardest places hit due to GW and CC
colder climate high elevation limited range limited tolerance coral polar sea coastal wetland high altitude mountains alpine and artic tundra
high grade ore
contains a large concentration of the desired mineral
low grade ore
contains a smaller concentration of the desired mineral
ocean ridge
created at a divergent boundary where the ocean plates spread apart. Magma rises out to form underwater mountains.
bagasse
crushed sugarcane residue used to make ethanol
Emphysema/Chronic Bronchitis
damage to alveoli leading to abnormal dilation of air spaces, decreased lung elasticity, and acute shortness of breath
risk management
decide whether/how to reduce risk to level or what cost. compare to other risks hard for people to do so need to educate people on how to do it properly (esp. reporters) 1) comparative risk analysis 2) risk reduction 3) risk reduction strategy 4) financial commitment
bench
defined as a ledge that forms a single level of operation above which mineral or waste materials are mined back to a bench face. The mineral or waste is removed in successive layers, each of which is a bench.
risk management
determine options and make decisions about reducing/eliminating risks
external geological processes
driven directly or indirectly by energy from the sun (mostly in the form of flowing water and wind) and influenced by gravity, tend to wear down the earth's surface and move matter from one place to another
Influenza virus
easily transmit. body fluids/airborne
corrosive
eating away gradually
electric resistance heating
electricity produced at a nuclear power plant, transported to the home, and converted to heat
commercial energy
energy that is sold in the marketplace mostly nonrenewable resources
Uranium dioxide pellets
enriched uranium ore used as fuel for the reactor
mountain top removal mining
entire mountaintops are blasted off, economically efficient. Used for coal, machines called draglines and dynamite used
photoroltraic cell/solar cell
equipment that has the ability to take energy t=from the sun and store that energy in batteries
"gender benders"
estrogen mimics and hormone blockers can also be called _ because of their possible effects on sexual development and reproduction.
cellulosic ethanol
ethanol produced from the cellulose in plant tissues by treating it with enzymes
bituminous coal (soft coal)
extensively used as a fuel because of its high heat content and large supplies; normally has a high sulfur content
trench
extremely deep areas in the ocean that are created by a subducting plate
natural gas
flammable gas, consisting largely of methane and other hydrocarbons, occurring naturally underground (often in association with petroleum) and used as fuel.
biggest viral killers
flu HIV HBV
supply side/hard path
focus on finding and using more nonrenewables (use up supply) scour country for nonrenewable and build more power plants
atmospheric pressure
force per mass per unit area of a column of air
hydrothermal ore deposits
form when superheated, mineral-rich water shoots out of vents in volcanic regions of the ocean floor
Phthalates
found in cosmetics, deodorants, and many plastics used for food packaging, children's toys, and medical devices. Cause kidney & liver damage, cancer, and low sperm counts.
feebate
fuel inefficient vehicles are taxed heavily and resulting revenue would be given to buyers of efficient vehicles as rebates
synthetic fuels
gas or liquid fuels produced from coal or heavy oil
internal geological processes
generated by heat from the earth's interior, typically build up the earth's surface in the form of continental and oceanic crust, including mountains and volcanoes
continental glaciers
glaciers that cover broad, continent-sized areas
fuel assemblies
groups of fuel rods
great earthquake
have magnitudes of 8.0 or higher
nonmetallic minerals
have shiny or dull surfaces, may let light pass through them, and are good insulators of electricity
lifestyle hazards
hazards such as smoking, poor food choices, alcohol, unsafe sex, etc
cultural hazard
hazards such as working conditions, poverty, and crime
internal combustion engine
heat engine that burns fuel inside the engine in chambers or cylinders
geothermal energy
heat stored in soil, underground rocks, and fluids in the earth's mantle used for heating/cooling and electricity
geothermal heat pump system
heat/cool by using temperature differences between surface and underground, anywhere Energy efficient and reliable (2nd most compared to superisulation) Environmentally clean Cost effective to heat or cool a space
Anthracite (hard coal)
highly desirable fuel because of its high heat content and low sulfur content; supplies are limited in most areas
risk assessment
identify the hazard and eval. the risks
general electric
in fear of technological competition, they created one of the first corporate laboratories in 1900, increasing corporate research and development labs, but causing a decline in government support in research. This attracted more skillful researchers and decentralized the sources of research funding. will make the US competitive in solar energy market
central receiver system
in some large ones it is called a power tower. huge arrays of computer controlled mirrors called heliostats track the sun and focus sunlight on this central heat collection tower
subduction zone
in tectonic plates, the site at which an oceanic plate is sliding under a continental plate.
biological magnification
increasing concentration of a harmful substance in organisms at higher trophic levels in a food chain or food web
largest loss of life tsunami
indian ocean in 2004, 9.15 magnitude generated waves 100 feet tall with no warning devices in place
Tuberculosis (TB)
infectious bacterial disease, most commonly spread by inhalation of small particles and usually affecting the lungs; may spread to other organs don't know when sick and can spread developing resistance and spreading in developing nations
Transmissible disease (contagious or communicable disease)
infectious disease that spreads from person to person ex. HIV, TB, measles
risk communication
inform decision makers and public about risk
spoil
is a pile built of accumulated spoil - waste material removed during mining.
Southern Ocean (Antarctic Ocean)
largest carbon sink
Mnt. Pinatubo
largest eruption volcano
temperature inversion
layer of dense, cool air trapped under a layer of warm dense air, pollution in trapped layer may build to harmful levels. Frequent in Los Angeles, California and Mexico City, Mexico.
coal seam
layers of formations of rock containing coal
biomimicry
learning from ecosystems and adapting their characteristics to human and organizational situations-do what nature does
insignificant earthquake
less than 4.0 on the Richter scale
conventional natural gas
lies above most reservoirs of crude oil
Biodiesel/ethanol
liquid biofuels that can replace petroleum-based diesel/gas
pathogen
living organisms that cause disease in another organism (bact. ,virus, parasite)
Lignite (brown coal)
low heat content; low sulfur content; limited supplies in most areas
black lung
lung disease caused by inhaling coal dust
synthetic gasoline
made from coal liquefaction
the main shock
major earthquake
rock mountain installation
making money on energy savings powered on sun partially in the earth of Colorado uses hardly any electricity a home and office space
radon-222
may cause damage to respiratory tissue when inhaled (lung cancer); is product of uranium decay and is an indoor pollutant Naturally occurring colorless and odorless radioactive gas found in some types of soil and rock leaches into homes and can cause cancer when decays into polonium-210
DALYs (disability-adjusted life years)
measure of the total disease burden in a population (in health due to specific disease and injury the sum of years of potential life lost due to premature mortality and the years of productive life lost due to disability a measure of the reduced quality of life caused by disability
strategic metallic resources
metals needed for economic and military strength manganese, cobalt, chromium, platinum
phosphate salts
mined and used in inorganic fertilizers and in some detergents
deposit
mineral in rock
liquefied petroleum gas (lpg)
mixture of liquefied propane and butane gas removed from natural gas and used as a fuel
Transform Oceanic-Oceanic
most common type of transform boundary features a fracture or fault in the lithosphere
things melting at rapid pace and could lead us quickly to the ecological tipping point
mountain glaciers gone artic ocean floating ice gone in summers Greenland ice sheet gone
cilia
mucus-covered and hair-like, wave back and forth and transport mucus and pollutants trapped to the throat where expelled
neurotoxins
nat/synth chem. that harm nervous system toxic substances, such as lead or mercury, that specifically poison nerve cells disabilities, add PCB, arsenic, lead
control rods
neutron-absorbing rods that help control the reaction and the amount of power made by limiting the number of free neutrons
nitrogen oxides and nitric acid
nitric oxide is a colorless gas that forms when nitrogen and oxygen gas in air react at the high-combustion temps in automobile engines and coal-burning plants. nitric acid is a component of harmful acid deposition. NO --> photochemical smog.
most expensive forms of renewable energy
nuclear, coal, solar cells
grasshopper effect
occurs when volatile air pollutants are transported by evaporation and winds from tropical and temperate areas though the atmosphere to the earth's polar areas, where they are deposited.
oil reserves
oil deposits that can be extracted profitably at current prices using current technology
oil shale
oily rocks, solid combustible mixture of hydrocarbons called kerogen
manganese modules
on Pacific floor, the most widespread undersea mineral resource-- more expensive to mine
toxic chemical
one that can cause temporary or permanent harm or death to humans and animals
OLED organic light-emitting diode
organic light-emitting diode
examples of tectonic plates
pacific, north american, carribbean, eurasian, china, india
peat
partially decayed plant matter found in swamps + bogs not coal low heat content
direct solar energy
perpetually available, varies with latitude, season, time of day, and cloud cover
crude oil (conventional or light oil)
petroleum that has not been processed thick and goey with hydrocarbons
tailings
piles of gangue, which is the waste material that results from mining. Rock and other waste materials removed as impurities when waste mineral material is separated from the metal in an ore.
7 deadliest infectious diseases
pneumonia and flu (b and v) HIV/AIDS (v) diarrheal diseases (b and v) TB (b) malaria (p) Hepatitis B (v) measles (v)
primary pollution
pollutant put directly into the air by human activity, such as soot from smoke
secondary pollution
pollution formed by the reaction of primary pollutants and natural air components
greatest risk for premature death and shorter lifespan
poverty (7-10), gender (men down 7.5 year), lifestyle choices
coal burning power plant
power plant that creates energy from burning coal
hormone blockers
prevent natural hormones from attaching to their target organ
Nanosolar
printed solar cells that make solar energy much more affordable
resource exchange web
process in which the wastes of one manufacturer become raw materials for another
receptor
protein that detects a signal molecule and performs an action in response
plasmodium
protist that causes malaria
high-level radioactive wastes
radioactive solids, liquids, or gases that give off large amounts of ionizing radiation (rods and assemblies)
comparative risk analysis
ranking risks
climate stabilization wedges
reduce CO2 emission by implementing 15 different methods Robert Socolow & Stephen Pacala plants act as a repositories of carbon, slow build up of atmospheric carbon dioxide, thus contributing to climate stabilization
demand side/soft path
reduce waste, increase efficiency, depend on renewable (reduce demand, better) decrease energy waste and depend on renewable resources more sustainable
persistence
resistance to breakdown
two things that determine surface mining
resource being mined and topography
decommissioned
retired
living roofs or green roofs
roofs covered with plants, have been used for decades in Germany, Iceland, etc. save energy and preserve biodiversity
Examples of sedimentary rocks
sandstone, shale, limestone
refining
separation by boiling point along distillation column into many varied products lowers net energy yeild
bacteria
single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus; prokaryotes
amplitude
size of a wave when it hits seismograph
foreshocks
small earthquakes that come before a major earthquakes
aftershocks
smaller quakes produced after a major quake caused by rocks shifting to new positions
second fastest growing source of renewable energy
solar cell
"lock and key relationship"
specific neurotransmitters fit specific receptors
West Nile Virus
spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
standard followed by the EPA to specify concentration limits for each air pollutant criteria pollutants: CO, NOx, So2, PM-10, O3, Pb Limits: Primary standard: human health Secondary standard: environmental and property
water-filled pools, dry casks
storage of radioactive spent fuel rod assemblies fuel assemblies stay in when out of reactor for refueling or maintenence
toxicology
study of poisonous substances and their effects upon body parts
research and development subsidies (R&D)
subsidies given to encourage research and development in a given field currently encourage waste and discourages improvement
carcinogens
substances known to produce or promote the development of cancer arsenic, benezene, formaldehyde
photochemical ozone
surface ozone
system reliability (%) equation
technological reliability x human reliability
supply and demand
the amount of a commodity, product, or service available and the desire of buyers for it, considered as factors regulating its price.
lava flow
the area covered by lava as it pours out of a volcano's vent
ozone hole
the area of lowered ozone concentration over Antarctica
endocrine system
the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream control things like learning, behavior, etc
World Green Building Council (WGBC)
the council that does green building certifications
mass wasting
the downslope movement of rock, regolith, and soil under the direct influence of gravity
continental rise
the gently sloping section of the continental margin located between the continental slope and the abyssal plain
highwall
the highly erodible wall of dirt that is left after contour strip mining
Chernobyl necklace
the horizontal scar left on the base of the neck after a surgery to remove a thyroid cancer caused by fallout from a nuclear accident
reactor
the part of a nuclear reactor where nuclear fission occurs
magma conduit
the pipe or vent at the heart of a volcano where material wells up from beneath the surface.
LD50
the point at which 50 percent of the test organisms die from a toxin.
oceanic crust
the portion of Earth's crust that is usually below the oceans and not associated with continental areas, thinner and higher in density that continental crust and basaltic rather than granitic in composition; younger crust
air pollution
the presence of chemicals in the atmosphere in concentrations high enough to harm organisms, ecosystems, or human-made materials, or to alter climate
dust mites
the primary cause of asthma and allergies. They feed on your dead skin and then when they leave their droppings behind, your allergies set in.
risk
the probability of suffering harm from a hazard that can cause injury, disease, death, economic loss, or damage.
global cooling
the process in which the atmospheric temperature decreases due to increase amounts of dust particles from combustion of fossil fuels
biomining
the process of removing desired metals from ores while leaving the surrounding environment undisturbed use bacteria on low-grade ores
net energy ratio
the ratio of the useful energy produced to the useful energy used to produce it
lithosphere
the solid, outer layer of the earth that consists of the crust and the rigid upper part of the mantle; where tectonic plates are
geology
the study of the origin, history, and structure of Earth; study of processes on surface and interior
mantle convection currents
the transfer of thermal energy by the circulation or movement in Earth Mantle. Believed to be the driving force of plate tectonics.
anopheles mosquito
the vector for malaria
abyssal floor
the wide flat deep ocean floor
containment shell
thick, steel-reinforced concrete walls surrounds the reactor core to keep radioactive materials from escaping into the environment
alveoli
tiny sacs of lung tissue specialized for the movement of gases between air and blood fine and ultrafine particles become trapped here, leading to breathing difficulties
aerosols/light-colored sulfate
tiny solid particles or liquid droplets that remain suspended in the atmosphere for a long time reflects sunlight and serves as condensation nuclei thereby cooling the atmosphere and forming cooling clouds
most dangerous indoor air pollutants
tobacco smoke formaldehyde radioactive radon-222 gas very small particles
cap and trade system
total number of emissions is capped and producers must buy licence to emit greenhouse gasses
antimalarial drugs
treat malaria
hydrothermal reservoirs
underground zones of porous rock containing hot water and steam, and can be naturally occurring or human-made deeper wells to extract dry steam/wet steam/hot water for buildings, turbines, farms; pump back in for reheat
soybean
used as a source for biodiesel and food products
rapeseed
used to make biodiesel and has an unfortunate name
in situ mining/in place
used to remove soluble material. holes drilled into rock deposits and water is injected into the drill holes to dissolve the salt
fuel unit
uses fuel cell technology to make electricity in the home
decoupling
utility profits disconnected from the amount of electricity sold to the amount of energy conserved utilized in California to great affect
high-octane
very exciting or intense
abyssal plain
very level area of the deep-ocean floor, usually lying at the foot of the continental rise
seismic waves
vibrations that travel through Earth carrying the energy released during an earthquake
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
virus that causes inflammation of the liver; transmitted through any body fluid, including vaginal secretions, semen, and blood
soot/black carbon PM
warm the lower atmosphere (PM)
gangue
waste rock that must be removed before a mineral can be used
UV-B
wavelength of ultraviolet radiation that is known to cause skin cancer and cataracts as well as harm to plant cells and their ability to photosynthesize upon exposure
oil production peak
when demand is higher than the amount produced and the flow rate to customers decreases. The prices increase
second law of thermodynamics
when energy is changed from one form to another, some useful energy is always degraded into lower quality energy (usually heat)
liquefied natural gas (LNG)
when natural gas is liquefied at a high pressure at a very low temperature in order to transport it in refrigerated tankers to convert it back to its natural state to be distributed by pipeline.
economically depleted
when the cost of extracting and using the resource exceeds its economic value.
ecoindustrial park or industrial ecosystem
where an electric power plant, industry, farms, and homes collaborate to save money and reduce their outputs of waste and pollution. They exchange waste outputs and convert them into resources.
hot dry rock
where molten rock has penetrated the earth's crust and heats the subsurface rocks to high temperatures water into a deep well that is pressurized to create fractures in hot rock to create a reservoir of hot geothermal fluid that can be used as boiling water/steam to create electricity
fastest growing source of renewable energy
wind
indirect solar energy
wind power(air masses heated), biomass energy (converted to chemical energy and stored), hydropower (kept liquid and flowing)
cheapest forms of renewable energy
wind, geothermal, hydropower
methanol
wood alcohol, made from coal liquefaction
smoking
world's most preventable major cause of suffering and premature death among adults
pandemic
worldwide epidemic (AIDS, COVID)
LEED Program (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
worldwide, green building rating system, silver-->gold-->platinum
mnt. st. helens
worst damage volcano