Food Resources
The amount of grain stored by governments from previous harvests to serve as a cushion against poor harvests and rising prices
World Grain Stock (carryover)
The area of land drained by a water body
Watershed/drainage basin
These tests are used to detect the presence of E. coli in water bodies (due to sewage pollution)
Fecal coliform tests
In the _____ (layer of atmosphere), ozone protects us from UV rays. In the _____ (layer of atmosphere), ozone is a man-made pollutant and respiratory irritant.
Stratosphere
Troposphere
This term describes the trend in atmospheric CO2 levels based on data collected by Charles David Keeling.
Keeling curve
These 3 food crops make up about 1/2 of the calories humans consume
The upper limit of an aquifer, below which the ground is saturated
Water table
This type of pollution is when of excessive amounts of suspended particles end up in water bodies. It increases water turbidity, covers/smothers aquatic organisms, and carries "hitchhiker pollutants" into the water.
Sediment pollution
There are three main NOx gases, nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and nitrous oxide (N2O). But one is considered to be the worst because it depletes the ozone layer and is a greenhouse gas. Which one?
Nitrous oxide (N2O)
Describe the difference between mitigation and adaptation in relation to climate change.
Mitigation = actions done to reduce the risks/hazards of climate cahnge
Adaptation = adjustment to changes caused by climate change
Name 3 consequences of industrial agriculture
(some, but not all, examples)
soil erosion, habitat fragmentation, reduced genetic diversity, pollution from animal wastes, damage to non-target organisms from pesticides
Name three examples of human activities that worsen floods
Removing plant cover from soil for agriculture and development
Draining wetlands
Building in floodplains
River channelization
This type of pollution involves nutrients like N and P increasing algae growth, which causes eutrophication, raised BOD, bad odors, and dead zones
Inorganic nutrients
List the 2 secondary air pollutants discussed in lecture and their main consequences.
Tropospheric ozone (O3): respiratory irritant, product of photochemical smog production, damages plants, greenhouse gas
List 3 effects of global climate change
Rising sea levels (melting land ice and thermal expansion)
Melting permafrost
Species ranges shifting to higher latitudes and altitudes
Phenological synchrony disruptions
Expanded ranges of disease-carrying insects
Bleaching coral
List 3 examples of sustainable agriculture methods
biocontrol (predator-prey relationships to control pests)
plant crops adapted for specific regions
maintaining soil cover (cover crops) to reduce erosion and water use
crop rotation and intercropping (multiple plants in one area)
precision agriculture ("smart" farm technology)
This lake was once a major water source for Los Angeles, but LA took too much water and the lake became very saline. The court ordered that LA take less water, and the lake has begun to recover
Mono lake
Name 2 of the toxic metals associated with water pollution and their effects.
Iron (Fe) = leaches out of melting permafrost and damages aquatic ecosystems
Mercury (Hg) = enters water after Hg particles fall from the air (from coal smoke, etc) into water with rain. Has various human and animal health consequences, biomagnifies in aquatic food webs
Lead (Pb) = comes from old lead paint, lead water pipes, and industrial activities. Various health effects in humans, especially kids
List the components of industrial smog and photochemical smog
Industrial smog = SOx and PM
Photochemical smog = NOx and VOCs
This term describes the fact that GHG concentrations are increasing do to human activities, and these excess gases are causing excess warming.
Enhanced greenhouse effect
Name the three categories of agriculture as well as their yields (high/low) and environmental impact (high/low)
Industrialized (high yield, high envtl impact)
Subsistence (low yield, mod-high envtl impact)
Sustainable (mod-high yield, low envtl impact)
Name 4 ways we can increase our water supply
Dams
Water diversion to dry areas with aqueducts, etc.
Desalination of ocean water
Recycling wastewater (toilet to tap, gray water recycling)
Water conservation
Name the 3 main pieces of water pollutant legislation in the US and what category of water they protect (drinking water, waterways, etc.)
Safe Drinking Water Act = drinking water standards
Clean Water Act = discharge of pollutants (especially point sources) into waterways
Resource, Conservation, and Recovery Act (RCRA) = groundwater
List all 5 categories of primary pollutants discussed in lecture.
Carbon oxides (CO and CO2)
Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
Particulate matter (PM)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Sulfur dioxide (SO2)
Joseph Fourier = describes greenhouse effect
John Tyndall = identifies major GHGs, provides evidence for greenhouse effect
Svante Arrhenius = proposes humans are producing enough CO2 to cause global warming
Charles David Keeling = begins directly measuring atmospheric CO2