Upgrade to remove ads
Only $35.99/year

AP Environmental Science full review

Terms in this set (109)

Ionizing radiation
enough energy to knock electrons from atoms forming ions, capable of causing cancer (ex gamma-X-rays-UV)
First Law of Thermodynamics
energy is neither created nor destroyed, but may be converted from one form to another
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)
Humus
organic, dark material remaining after decomposition by microorganisms
Leaching
removal of dissolved materials from soil by water moving downwards
Illuviation
deposit of leached material in lower soil layers (B)
Loam
perfect agricultural soil with equal portions of sand, silt, clay
Solutions to soil problems
conservation tillage, crop rotation, contour plowing, organic fertilizers
Parts of the hydrologic cycle
evaporation, transpiration, runoff, condensation, precipitation, infiltration
Aquifer
any water bearing layer in the ground
Salt water intrusion
near the coast, overpumping of groundwater causes saltwater to move into the aquifer
During an El Nino year
trade winds weaken & warm water sloshed back to SA
During a Non El Nino year
Easterly trade winds and ocean currents pool warm water in the western Pacific, allowing upwelling of nutrient rich water off the West coast of South America
Effects of El Nino
upwelling decreases disrupting food chains, N US has mild winters, SW US has increased rainfall, less Atlantic Hurricanes
Nitrogen fixing
because atmospheric N cannot be used directly by plants it must first be converted into ammonia by bacteria
Recommended textbook explanations

Environmental Science: Sustaining Your World

1st EditionG. Tyler Miller, Scott E. Spoolman
785 explanations

Environmental Science

14th EditionEldon D. Enger
419 explanations

Environmental Science Student Workbook

3rd EditionKent Pryor, Richard Allan, Tracey Greenwood
579 explanations

Environmental Science: Your World, Your Turn

1st EditionJay H. Withgott
955 explanations