Definitions

Biogeochemical Cycle

The cyclic pathway through which chemical elements move from the environment to organisms and back to the environment. These are also known as nutrient cycles.

Example- Carbon Cycle, Nytrogen Cycle, Phosphorus Cycle, sulpher Cycle.



Biotic Potential or Reroductive Potential

It is the inherent capacity of population to increase under optimal conditions.

It is calclated as the mltiple of number of youngw produced at each reproduction and number of reproductions in a given period of time.



Carrying Capicity

"A level above whichno major increase in population density occure".

or

"the feeding capicity of an ecosystem to a population of a species under the provided set of conditions".

Definitions

Biofuels

Biofuel is a product produced from biomass.Biofuel is considered much cleaner than petrol/diesel alternatives.

Biofuel is considered carbon neutral, as the biomass absorbs roughly the same amount of carbon dioxide during growth, as when burnt.

Biofuel isn't as innocent as it seems, as in many cases, large areas of forest are cut down to make space for the plantation of biofuel suitable crops. This deforestation not only harms the carbon cycle, but also harms surrounding civilizations/tribes who live off the forest.

Many environmentalist argue that biofuel is a disaster in the making, and doesn't offer a significant long-term environmental impact.

Some biofuels currently in use are:

    Biobutanol
    Biodiesel
    Bioethanol
    Biogas
    Vegetable Oil

The use of biofuels can help to reduce the costs associated with the purchasing of mainstream fuels such as petrol and diesel.

It could be argued that biofuel is a product of solar energy, as the sun is needed to grow the biomass crops, which can then be manufactured into usable fuel.

Biofuel sounds like a modern day invention, however, we have used this type of fuel since the discovery of fire. Firewood can be classed as a biofuel, as wood is a biomass product, which can be burnt to released energy in the form of heat.

We need to be looking into alternative methods for powering vehicles and machinery to reduce the future impacts that biofuel usage may pose on the environment. Electric cars powered from the electricity generated by renewable energy sources would be the best option, however, implementing this on a global scale will be a very challenging task.

Acid Rain

 

Rainfall made sufficiently acidic by atmospheric pollution that it causes environmental harm, typically to forests and lakes. The main cause is the industrial burning of coal and other fossil fuels, the waste gases from which contain sulfur and nitrogen oxides, which combine with atmospheric water to form acids

Acid rain, also known as acid deposition, is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from power plants, cars and factories. Natural sources like volcanoes, forest fires and lightning strikes also add to the man-made pollution. SO2 and NOx become acids when they enter the atmosphere and react with water vapor. The resulting sulfuric and nitric acids can fall as wet or dry depositions. Wet deposition is precipitation: acid rain, snow, sleet or fog. Dry deposition falls as acidic particulates or gases.