Terminology

see Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane

The Gulf of Mexico dead zone is an area of hypoxic (less than 2 ppm dissolved oxygen) waters beginning at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Its area varies in size, but can cover up to 6,000-7,000 square miles. It is caused by agricultural runoff from conventional midwest farms, golf courses, and suburban lawns; deposition of nitrogen from the atmosphere; erosion of soil containing nutrients; and sewage treatment plant discharges.

serc.carleton.edu

Perennial plants whose leaves die all at once (and usually fall) at the end of each growing season, to be replaced by new leaves at the next growing season. Most deciduous plants are broad-leaved, though a few, such as Larix laricina (Tamarack), have needles. Plants whose leaves live year-round are evergreen.

A forest containing deciduous plants and existing where temperatures are mild and rainfall is abundant

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A plant that sheds all or nearly all its leaves each year

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To rot or decay as a result of being broken down by microorganisms

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An organism that breaks down the tissue and/or structures of dead organisms.

Bacteria and fungi in the soil are very important because they return nutrients to the soil when they decompose (rot) dead animals and plants.

Which causes decay, including bacteria and fungi

Organisms such as bacteria and fungi that decompose dead plants and animals;

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The breakdown of dead organic material by detrivores or saprophytes.

The stripping away of trees. Practices or processes that result in the conversion of forested lands for non-forest uses.

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An attempt by utilities to reduce customers' demand for electricity or energy by encouraging efficiency.

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Fish that live on or near the ocean bottom. They are often called benthic fish, groundfish, or bottom fish.

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A land area that receives less than 10 inches (25 cm) of precipitation a year, that loses more water through evaporation than it gains from precipitation, and that has high summer temperatures

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Mummification.

Accumulated organic debris from dead organisms, often an important source of nutrients in a food web.

Any organism which obtains most of its nutrients from the detritus in an ecosystem.

(1) a developed tract of land (with houses or structures); (2) the act, process or result of developing.

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The temperature at which gaseous water condenses into visible water vapor, fog or clouds

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The distance from one end to another through the center; as the diameter of the earth

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A synthetic pesticide with a long, unique, and controversial history. DDT was used with great effect to control mosquitoes spreading malaria, typhus, and other insect-borne diseases among both military and civilian populations. Rachel Carson and her book Silent Spring brought to light the environmental impacts of the indiscriminate spraying of DDT in the US and questioned the logic of releasing large amounts of chemicals into the environment without fully understanding their effects on ecology or human health. The book suggested that DDT and other pesticides may cause cancer and that their agricultural use was a threat to wildlife, particularly birds. Along with the passage of the Endangered Species Act, the US ban on DDT is cited by scientists as a major factor in the comeback of the bald eagle in the contiguous US.

Wikipedia

A petroleum-based fuel which is burned in engines ignited by compression rather than spark; commonly used for heavy duty engines including buses and trucks.

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An internal combustion engine that uses diesel as fuel, producing harmful fumes.

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To lessen the strength of a material by mixing it with another material, usually water

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A man-made chemical by-product formed during the manufacturing of other chemicals and during incineration. Studies show that dioxin is the most potent animal carcinogen ever tested, as well as the cause of severe weight loss, liver problems, kidney problems, birth defects, and death.

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Air pollutants dropped by prevailing winds

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Organisms suffer from disease when their normal function is impaired by some genetic disorder, or more often from the activity of a parasite or other organism living within them. Many diseases are caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi.

To spread to another location

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The measurement from one point to another

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Inactive

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Large transport ships with two hulls with space between them, protecting the cargo (in most cases, oil) from spilling in case of a collision.

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When a material is degraded each time it is reused.

William McDonough, Cradle to Cradle

A fishing method that utilizes a bag dragged behind a vessel that scrapes the ocean bottom, usually to catch shellfish. Dredges are often equiped with metal spikes in order to dig up the catch.

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A huge net stretching across many miles that drifts in the water; used primarily for large-scale commercial fishing.

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The practice of spraying water directly on the base of plants so that less water is needed to help them grow

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An extended period of unusually low rainfall

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Air pollutants that quickly fall to the ground without combining with moisture

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Waste disposal grounds.

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