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?