Home / Summaries / Class notes - Principles of Environmental Sciences / section-chemical-biological

The natural environment

18 important questions on The natural environment

Mass balance (Section 10.2.1)

The notion of mass balance means that if there is an increase in the amount of a chemical present in a given environment, this chemical must either have been transported from elsewhere or produced by a chemical or biological reaction from other compounds (law of conservation).

Energy balance (Section 10.2.2)

The movement of energy (i.e. the ability to do work) and changes in its form can be tracked by means of an energy balance, analogous to a mass balance. The first law of thermodynamics states that in an isolated closed system, energy will be conserved and can be neither created nor destroyed. Conservation of energy provides a basis for energy balances.

Biodegradation (Section 10.3.4)

The chemical and biological breakdown of inorganic and organic complexes.
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart
Testimonial person
Sophia
Law student
Quotes

For my 1st exam I got a C. Then, I started looking for ways to learn better and I came across Study Smart. Since then I have scored a A+, A, A- and another A. I highly recommend it to everyone who wants to hear it. I am so happy with it!!

Testimonial person
John
Economics Student
Quotes

I was struggling to finish all my first-year subjects for 3 years. Then I discovered Study Smart, which helped me to finish all of them within 3 months.

Testimonial person
Sara
Public Administration Student
Quotes

Because of StudySmart, things are going well in many ways. Before, I always had study stress and no time for anything. Now I feel calm and confident (because of the program). I used to score a B, now I usually score an A or A+.

Testimonial person
Mary
Business Student
Quotes

Hey Chris, I really want to thank you very much for developing the platform, I usually got around C for my exams, now I scored an A+, an A and a A- !!

Testimonial person
Melanie
Psychology Student
Quotes

Since using Study Smart, my average has increased significantly. I even completed a statistics course with a A+ while I'm bad at statistics. I took on extra courses this year, because of Study Smart. Thanks so much!

Testimonial person
Jane
Nursing Studies
Quotes

Ever since I started studying with StudySmart I passed all my exams !!! No more re-sits!! At first, I was happy with a pass and now I only get good grades. Many thanks!

Testimonial person
Rose
Political Science Student
Quotes

I aced all the courses I studied with Study Smart. For law, I first scored a D, and now an A! I’m 100% sure that I’ll pass all the courses I study with Study Smart.

Testimonial person
Tina
Medicine Student
Quotes

I always thought I studied well. My grades were fine. I could never have imagined that applying these study skills would have such a huge and direct impact on my grades, my speed and the pleasure I have in learning.

Testimonial person
Julie
Marketing Student
Quotes

For the first time, I finally feel totally confident about the way I learn. I have the perfect overview and make great progress in terms of speed and the grades I get. Thanks, Chris!

Testimonial person
Matt
Industrial Engineering Student
Quotes

I immediately started to enjoy learning again, and my grades soared. All of a sudden, everything went better. I highly recommend Study Smart to all students..

Testimonial person
Emma
Law Student
Quotes

Being able to create my materials online made the process of studying so much smoother and quicker. I no longer have to spend a huge amount of my time on creating my summaries.

Testimonial person
Michael
Psychology Student
Quotes

At first, my notes were a mess. Now I use Study Smart to take my notes in a perfectly structured way. It helps me to save a lot of time and do other things I enjoy.

Testimonial person
Emily
Teacher
Quotes

Students that study with Study Smart get better grades. The system applies all the learning methods in such a way that both well-performing students and students who struggle perform much better.

Testimonial person
Richard
Literature Student
Quotes

Hi Chris, I would like to thank you very much. Last year I scored C on a course, and this year I got an A+ thanks to your method! Thank you very much!

Testimonial person
Madison
Parent
Quotes

The largest effect is that my child is more enthusiastic about school! Every parent wants their children to be happy at school, Study Smart made it happen.

Testimonial person
Robert
Accountant Student
Quotes

In high school, I failed several exams, and that has really changed now. I actually needed this tool very much back then. Since I started studying with StudySmart, I haven't had any D's. My average score is now an A and those are results I would have never had in the past

Testimonial person
James
Business and Science Student
Quotes

With my old method, I passed only 3 out of 8 courses. Since I started taking my notes digitally in Study Smart, I have passed all my courses on the first try. For me, StudySmart takes away the stress of wondering if I will pass or not.

Testimonial person
Christopher
Veterinarian Student
Quotes

Thanks to StudySmart, I passed all my exams, and with better grades than before! On top of that, I have mastered a very good study method now, which I am confident will help me earn my degree.

Enthalpy (Section 10.3.1)

The energy of the inter- and intra-molecular bonds that bind the system’s atoms and molecules together

Gibbs free energy (Section 10.3.1)

That energy available within a given system for doing work. Gibbs free energy (G) is related to the system’s enthalpy (H), entropy (S) and temperature (T). G = H − T x S.

Photochemical transformations (Section 10.3.3)

When a chemical compound (an organic pollutant in the aquatic environment, for example) absorbs light it may undergo photochemical transformation, either directly or indirectly.

Biodiversity (Section 10.4.3)

Biological diversity.

Biogeochemical cycles (Section 10.4.5)

Cycling of chemical elements within and between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere.

Eutrophication (Section 10.4.5)

The enrichment of terrestrial and aquatic systems with nutrients, in particular nitrogen and phosphorus.

Genetic drift (Section 10.4.1)

The chance that a genetically fixed characteristic will disappear from the population, leading to a more uniform and hence more vulnerable population.

Genetic erosion (Section 10.4.1)

Decrease in genetic variability.

Genetic variability (Section 10.4.1)

Variation in genetically fixed characteristics.

Population (Section 10.4.1)

A group of individuals of one species in an area, though the size and nature of that area is defined, often arbitrarily, for the purpose of the study being undertaken.

Bioavailability (Section 10.5.2)

The ability of a substance to affect organisms; it is a measure of the physicochemical access that a toxicant has to the biological processes of an organism.

Ecotoxicology (Section 10.5.2)

The science concerned with the environmental fate and toxic effects of chemicals in natural and disturbed ecosystems.

AMOEBA method (Section 10.6.4)

General Method for Ecological Description; a semi-quantitative method for describing and assessing the quality of aquatic ecosystems. A circle represents the target image formulated for

indicators (e.g. indicator species) for the long term, while the slices (as in a pie-like radar diagram) represent the target variables.

Index of biotic integrity – IBI (Section 10.6.1)

An composite index incorporating scores for a number of biological attributes within an ecosystem and comparing these metrics with a relatively undisturbed situation. This index is typically used for water ecosystems.

TRIAD method (Section 10.6.2)

An environmental monitoring approach, which integrates methods from several sciences, combining chemical and ecological data with bioassay results to assess the quality of a terrestrial or aquatic compartment or habitat.

Try our study magic for free

a PDF, study it super fast
  • No sign up, email or credit card needed!
  • AI makes unlimited flashcards
  • Get unlimited quizzes and tests
  • Ask AI anything
Create a notebook
  • No sign up, email or credit card needed!
  • Have and keep perfect overview
  • Make flashcards, notes and mind maps
  • Review, test and score!

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

Principles of Environmental Sciences

View summary
  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo

Summaries related to Specific Principles