Environmental Science Final Exam Review

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What is urban sprawl?

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Urban sprawl refers to the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into the surrounding rural land, often leading to increased reliance on automobiles and higher carbon dioxide emissions.

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What is nonpoint-source pollution?

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Nonpoint-source pollution is pollution that cannot be traced back to a single source, often resulting from runoff from multiple sources, such as agricultural fields and urban areas.

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What is an aquifer?

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An aquifer is an underground layer of rock or sediment that holds water, which can be extracted for use.

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What are greenhouse gases?

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Greenhouse gases are gases such as water vapor and carbon dioxide that trap heat near Earth's surface, contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming.

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What is desalination?

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Desalination is the process of removing salt from ocean water to make it suitable for drinking and irrigation.

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What is the greenhouse effect?

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The greenhouse effect is the warming of Earth's surface due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

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What is a watershed?

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A watershed is an area of land that drains rainwater and snowmelt into a common water body, such as a river or lake.

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What is point-source pollution?

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Point-source pollution is pollution that can be traced back to a single, identifiable source, such as a factory or sewage treatment plant.

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What is carbon footprint?

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A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product, usually measured in carbon dioxide equivalents.

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What is the role of trees in carbon dioxide absorption?

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Trees absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, helping to reduce greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere.