Environmental Science (Part A)
acidity
measured on the pH scale
Hardness
Measured by the amount of Ca2+ and Mg2+
nuclear fission
The source that produces long-lived hazardous wastes
second law of thermodynamics
an energy transformation occurs and results in increased disorder
Turbidity
caused by suspended particulates
Dissolved Oxygen
measured by the breakdown of organic waste
heat flow
energy transferred from one object to another as the result of a temperature difference
mutualism
exemplified by bees consuming nectar and carrying pollen from one flower to another
commensalism
exemplified by moss growing on a tree trunk in a forest
competition
exemplified by starlings displacing bluebirds from nesting sites
parasitism
exemplified by ticks feeding on a deer
carbon monoxide
has a stronger affinity for hemoglobin that oxygen has
radon
has been implicated as the cause of as much as 15 percent of lung cancer cases
methane
is a flammable gas produced by landfills
sulfur dioxide
is an important precursor to acid rain
kinetic energy
matter in motion has energy
first law of thermodynamics
the amount of energy in an isolated system stays constant
sunlight
the source that is converted directly into electrical energy by photovoltaic cells
nuclear fission
the source that is not renewable
biomass
the source whose use is a direct cause of deforestation
biological treatment
which method introduces microorganisms to break down hazardous organic compounds?
sanitary landfill
which method is used most frequently in the united states today?
incineration
which method reduces the volume of waste but could release toxic emissions into the atmosphere?
chemical treatment
which method would be best suited for neutralizing the acidic components of waste?