Key Terms
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Abiotic factors
Physical factors such as light, temperature and water.
Active traffic management (ATM)
A method of controlling road lane usage and speed limits to smooth traffic flow and reduce congestion.
Acute
Exposure to a substance or symptoms that appear rapidly.
Adsorption
The process where a substance fixes onto a surface.
Aerobic processes
A process that takes place in the presence of oxygen.
Aerodynamics
The study of airflow over surfaces to allow the design of surfaces that reduce wind resistance, turbulence, friction and noise generation.
Afforestation
Planting trees to increase the area of forest.
Albedo
A measure of the reflectivity of a surface. More reflective surfaces have high albedos.
Anaerobic process
A process that takes place in the absence of oxygen.
Antarctic treaty (1959)
An international agreement signed by many countries to protect and manage Antarctica. Aspects of the treaty include control of military activities, waste disposal, mineral exploitation, wildlife conservation and tourism.
Anthropogenic
Adjective describing outcomes caused by human activities.
Aquifer
A rock which contains water that is abstracted by humans.
As low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)
An approach to control of pollution, especially ionising radiation, where levels are kept as low as is practically achievable, taking into account economic and technological factors.
Atmosphere
The gases surrounding the Earth. Different layers are characterised by their temperature, density, turbulence and composition.
Bag filter
A method reducing atmospheric pollution caused by smoke and particulate matter.
Barrage
A dam built across an estuary to generate tidal power.
Beating tray
A method of sampling invertebrates on the branches of bushes and small trees.
Best available technology not entailing excessive cost (BATNEEC)
An approach to pollution control where control technology is used that achieves the lowest emission levels, without costing so much that further marginal gains would risk their financial viability.
Bioaccumulation
The increase in concentration of a substance in living tissue as it is absorbed and stored faster than it is broken down and excreted.
Biodegradable
A material that can be broken down by living organisms, usually bacteria.
Biodiversity
A measure of the variety and abundance of wildlife species.
Biogeochemical cycle
A series of linked processes which use and re-use elements as they move between biotic and abiotic reservoirs.
Bioleaching
A method of using bacteria to dissolve metals from low grade ores.
Biological corridor
A habitat that links other habitats so that animals can move between them.