Terminology

Refers to the non-living components of an ecosystem

The taking in of water and dissolved minerals and nutrients across cell membranes. Contrast with ingestion.

An acid is traditionally considered any chemical compound that, when dissolved in water, gives a solution with a hydrogen ion activity greater than in pure water, i.e. a pH less than 7.0

Wikipedia

Acidic precipitation of dilute solutions of strong mineral acids, formed by the mixing in the atmosphere of various industrial pollutants - primarily sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides - with naturally occurring oxygen and water vapor.

NRDC

In the legislative sense, a bill or measure passed by both houses of Congress; a law.

NRDC

A physical characteristic or behavior that allows an organism to adjust to the conditions of a particular environment

planetpals

The end of a legislative day or session.

NRDC

Pertaining to the presence of free oxygen. Aerobic organisms require oxygen for their life processes.

A suspension of small liquid or solid particles in gas.

NRDC

Planting of new forests on lands that historically have not contained forests

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The science of producing healthy plants and animals for food and other uses

planetpals

An expert in agriculture, such as a farmer or rancher

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Toxic or radioactive gases or particulate matter introduced into the atmosphere, usually as a result of human activity.

NRDC

Simple plantlike organisms found in water or on wet surfaces

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Energy derived from nontraditional sources (e.g., compressed natural gas, solar, hydroelectric, wind)

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Energy that is not popularly used and is usually environmentally sound, such as solar or wind energy (as opposed to fossil fuels).

NRDC

Fibers produced from non - wood sources for use in paper making.

NRDC

Transportation fuels other than gasoline or diesel. Includes natural gas, methanol, and electricity.

NRDC

Modes of travel other than private cars, such as walking, bicycling, rollerblading, carpooling and transit.

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A change or addition to an existing law or rule.

NRDC

Pertaining to the absence of free oxygen. Anaerobic organisms do not require oxygen for their life processes, in fact oxygen is toxic to many of them. Most anaerobic organisms are bacteria or archaeans.

Bacteria which survive without oxygen- the opposite of aerobic

A forest that is typically older than 200 years with large trees, dense canopies and an abundance of diverse wildlife.

NRDC

A chemical substance that inhibits oxidation.

Webster's New College Dictionary

The imaginary boundary of the southern polar region

planetpals

Made by people or resulting from human activities. Usually used in the context of emissions that are produced as a result of human activities

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Antimony is a chemical element with the symbol Sb and atomic number 51. A metalloid, antimony has four allotropic forms. The stable form of antimony is a blue-white metalloid. Yellow and black antimony are unstable non-metals. Antimony is used in flame-proofing, paints, ceramics, enamels, a wide variety of alloys, electronics, and rubber. Antimony and many of its compounds are toxic. Clinically, antimony poisoning is very similar to arsenic poisoning. In small doses, antimony causes headache, dizziness, and depression. Larger doses cause violent and frequent vomiting, and will lead to death in a few days.

Wikipedia

The process through which legislative seats are allocated to different regions.

NRDC

The setting aside of funds for a designated purpose (e.g., there is an appropriation of $7 billion to build 5 new submarines).

NRDC

The controlled rearing of fish or shellfish by people or corporations who own the harvestable product, often involving the capture of the eggs or young of a species from wild sources, followed by rearing more intensively than possible in nature.

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Underground source of water.

NRDC

The imaginary boundary of the northern polar region

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Coordinated action based on agreements to limit, regulate, or reduce weapon systems by the parties involved.

NRDC

A chemical element that has the symbol 'As' and atomic number 33. This is a notoriously poisonous metalloid. Arsenic and its compounds are used as pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and various alloys.

Wikipedia

Incombustible residue left over after incineration or other thermal processes.

NRDC

A condition marked by labored breathing, constriction of the chest, coughing and gasping usually brought on by allergies.

NRDC

The 500 km thick layer of air surrounding the earth which supports the existence of all flora and fauna.

NRDC

The lifetime of a greenhouse gas

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An atom is the smallest particle that comprises a chemical element. An atom consists of an electron cloud that surrounds a dense nucleus. This nucleus contains positively charged protons and electrically neutral neutrons, whereas the surrounding cloud is made up of negatively charged electrons.

Wikipedia

Energy released in nuclear reactions. When a neutron splits an atom's nucleus into smaller pieces it is called fission. When two nuclei are joined together under millions of degrees of heat it is called fusion.

NRDC

Any organism that is able to manufacture its own food. Most plants are autotrophs, as are many protists and bacteria. Contrast with consumer. Autotrophs may be photoautotrophic, using light energy to manufacture food, or chemoautotrophic, using chemical energy.