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96 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
ecological pyramids |
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food chains |
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pyramid models |
only 10% of energy gets transferred per level |
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How to calculate percentage increase |
BR - DR = x x / 10 |
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How to calculate doubling time |
70 / percentage increase = doubling time in years |
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Demographic Transition Model |
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things that affect population increase |
1. infant mortality 2. Child Labor 3. Girl's education 4. status of women 5. birth control |
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Age sex pyramid |
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Ecological Footprint |
measured in area required to provide the resources for a population per year two components taken into account: food, CO2 calculation: food: consumption / productivity + CO2: CO2 emission / CO2 fixation = x (ha) x * population = result (mha) the result is then compared to actual size of the population to determine if it is sustainable. result > actual population = unsustainable |
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Renewable resource |
a living resource that is naturally replaced and can be used again |
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replenishable resource |
a non-living resource that is naturally replaced and can be used again |
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Non-renewable resource |
a resource that cannot be naturally replaced on a level equal to its consumption |
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productivity |
amount produced per unit area of land/ per person employed (total amount produced) |
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efficiency |
ratio between the work or energy output and energy input (output divided by input) |
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maximum sustainable yield |
the maximum amount that can be used/taken, where the level of replacement is equal to the level of consumption. |
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resources give us natural capital |
natural capital can come in the form of goods and services |
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Sand fineness (in order) |
loam, gravel, sand, silt, clay |
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soil inputs soil outputs |
1. H20 (precipitation) 2. organic material from dead fauna/flora 3. CO2 (respirating soil fauna) 4. excretions from fauna 1. nutrients loss through leeching 2. H20 (evaporation) 3. loss of soil (soil erosion) 4. nutrients in soil taken by plants |
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terrestrial (efficient) 1. length of food chains 2. efficiency of transfer 3. GPP Efficiency 4. Harvest of food |
1. short - less energy is lost since energy is lost throughout a food chain 2. 10% - more energy is required to live on land (e.g. against gravity) 3. Higher - sunlight directly hits producers 4. Low - if you harvest low on the food chain, then there is more energy |
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aquatic (efficient) 1. length of food chains 2. efficiency of transfer 3. GPP Efficiency 4. Harvest of food |
1. Long - high biodiversity and various fauna/flora 2. 15% - less energy is required to live in water 3. lower - the sunlight has to travel through water 4. High - fish are high on foodchain |
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commercial farming 1. inputs 2. outputs 3. system traits 4. socio-cultural 5. environmental impact |
1. corn (feeding animals), fertilizers, irrigation, pesticides, fossil fuels 2. meat, processed food, soil erosion 3. monoculture, GM techniques, pesticides/ herbicides 4. government subsidies, capitalistic 5. habitat loss, soil erosion, loss of biodiversity |
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subsistent farming 1. inputs 2. outputs 3. system traits 4. socio-cultural 5. environmental impact |
1. forest litter, excursion, irrigation, human labour 2. food items and game 3. terracing, contour plowing, cover crops and irrigation 4. aesthetic value from biodiversity, festivals for successful harvest 5. biodiversity, agrarian expansion (more cultivated land) |
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Causes of soil degradation Effects of soil degradation |
overgrazing, deforestation, use of chemical fertilizers, over irrigation. Soil erosion, eutrophication of local lakes, salinization, desertification. |
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Reduction of soil erosion/degradation (farming) |
terraces contour plowing cover crops irrigation |
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Models (stores - flows) |
stores (stock) - energy, mass, volume, etc. represented as boxes. e.g. soil organism flows - represented as arrows e.g. respiration, decomposition |
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Eutrophication |
1. human input (Nitrates + Phosphates) 2. growth of algae increases (more turbidity) 3. blocks sunlight 4. plants die (more bacteria) 5. bacteria use up oxygen and kill fish (BOD is too high) 6. even more bacteria |
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strategies to prevent eutrophication |
1. stop using artificial fertilizer (or use minimal amount) 2. clean the body of water manually (regulating amount of algae) |
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point source vs non-point source |
point source - a big source of pollution (e.g. Minamata) non-point source - farmers all contributing to pollution (e.g. Eutrophication) |
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Population interactions |
Predation (wolves on moose), herbivory (Balsam Fir), parasitism (ticks), competition (wolves vs wolves), mutualism (moose eat balsam fir, balsam fir seeds fall off and attach to Moose's fur) |
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EIAs (stages) |
Environmental impact assessment 1. baseline study 2. determine possible impacts on environment and society 3. setting up a monitoring system (to check if any impacts have occurred after the project/ developments have occurred) |
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EIAs evaluation |
Strengths - Avoid extinction of indigenous species - Minimizes or even avoids damage on environment and society Weaknesses - Eliminating all environmental impacts of a large project (e.g. dam) is impossible - local people are often excluded from the EIA, only government officials, not local representatives |
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Ozone |
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1. Where is the ozone hole 2. What happens when there is too much UV radiation? |
1. the thinning of ozone is occurring over the poles 2. increased risk for skin-cancer, reduces GPP |
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Ozone resolution |
1. use less fossil fuels (weakness - people are often unwilling to change lifestyle) 2. regulate emission of gases (e.g. CFCs) (Montreal protocol (1987), strength - significant reduction of chemical emissions in MEDCs, weakness - current rapidly growing countries India, China) were not included) 3. Use HCFC instead of CFC |
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Gases that affect Ozone |
CFCs + UV --> Cl- (aerosoles) MBr + UV --> Br- (pesticides) NO + UV --> N (fossil fuels) |
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Acid Rain: ph levels |
normal rain (pH 5-6) acidic rain is more acidic (pH 4) lower is more acidic |
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Acid Rain: point source, non-point source |
point source = coal burning power plants non-point source = cars, vehicles |
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Acid Rain: pollutants, acids |
SO2 + H20 --> Sulphuric Acid NOx + H20 --> Nitric Acid |
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Effects of Acid Rain In which areas of the world is acid rain a problem? |
soil - degradation trees - damages leaves, limiting available nutrients for trees lakes - becomes acidic, kills organism that cannot tolerate the acid Acid rain is regional, not global. It is a problem in MEDCs (many coal power plants, cars, etc), but neighboring countries can be affected since prevailing wind can push acid rain to other countries. |
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Acid Rain resolution |
1. use bikes instead of cars (weakness - people are often unwilling to change lifestyle) 2. 'scrubbers' that filter the exhaust from coal power plants, reduces SO2 emission (weakness - expensive) 3. catalytic converters, cleans the emission of NOx from cars (weakness - expensive) 4. adding limestone to lakes, which reacts with the acid and neutralizes it |
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Urban air pollution/ Tropospheric Ozone: source and gases |
emitted from fossil fuels 1. Hydrocarbons e.g. Methane (CH4) 2. Carbon Monoxide (CO) 3. Nitrous Oxide (NO) |
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Urban air pollution/ Tropospheric Ozone: reaction process |
1. NO + O2 --> NO2 (brown gas/ haze) 2. NO2 + sunlight --> split: NO + O O + O2 --> O3 |
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Effects of tropospheric ozone |
- irritates eyes - causes breathing problems - attacks fabric and rubber - attacks forests and crops |
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Thermal Inversion |
There is more ozone in the valley since there is no mixing of air due to thermal inversion, since the cold air where the ozone is found in is trapped by the warm air. |
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Domestic Waste: Types |
Biodegradable: food, wood, organic Recyclable: paper, metal, glass, plastic Hazardous: toxic |
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Domestic Waste: management (strengths) |
compost - leads to production of nutrient rich soil) recycle - sustainable, we can reuse waste - reduce resource use land fills, lined pits - cheap - proper management of methane can lead to available natural gas - development of reclaimed land incineration - heat can be used for electricity - reduces volume of waste |
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Domestic Waste: management (weaknesses) |
compost - requires oxygen for bacteria - expensive to manage recycle - there is not always a use for recycled material - expensive - people have to be aware and contribute land fills, lined pits - toxic waste leeches - smells and increase in vermin incineration - produces toxic fumes - expensive to build incinerators |
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System |
a system is an entity with at least two components that are linked and interact in some way |
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Open system Closed system Isolated system |
Open systems allow energy or matter to enter or leave the boundaries of the system Closed systems allow energy to enter or leave but matter is contained within the boundaries Isolated systems do not allow either matter or energy to leave the system. |
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Models definition |
a model is a simplified description designed to show the structure or workings of an object, system or concept |
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First and Second laws of thermodynamics |
First Law: energy can neither be created or destroyed, merely changed from one form to another Second Law: In any isolated system, entropy tends to increase. (The increase in entropy is seen as the loss of energy as heat, during transformation of energy) |
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Equilibrium |
Equilibrium is a condition where forces or quantities are in balance. |
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Positive Feedback Negative Feedback |
Positive feedback leads to increasing change in a system and it accelerates deviation. Negative Feedback is a self-regulating method of control leading to the maintenance of a steady-state equilibrium |
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Trophic Level definition |
A position in a food chain or Ecological Pyramid occupied by a group of organisms with similar feeding mode |
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Species definition |
A group of organisms that interbreed and produce fertile offspring |
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Population definition |
A group of organisms of the same species living in the same area at the same time, and which are capable of interbreeding. |
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Habitat definition |
The environment in which a species normally lives |
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Niche definition |
The function or position of a species within an ecological community. An organism's ecological niche depends not only on where it lives but also on what it does |
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Community definition |
a group of populations living and interacting with each other in a common habitat |
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ecosystem definition |
a community of interdependent organisms and the physical environment they inhabit |
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diversity definition |
the number of different species and the relative numbers of individuals of each species |
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biome definition |
a collection of ecosystems sharing similar climate conditions |
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Measurement Lincoln Index |
mark, release and recapture technique N = (M * m) / r N = the total number in the population M = the total number caught in the first sample m = the total number caught in the second sample r = total number recaptured that are marked in the second sample |
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Estimating Biomass |
Biomass = mass of living material in the ecosystem Dry weight measurement Plants in a quadrat are dug up, dried and weighed Dry weight per unit area is used to estimate average biomass per quadrat |
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Measurement Simpson's Index |
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Carbon cycle |
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Nitrogen cycle |
(refer to notes page) |
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Percentage difference |
Difference / original |
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Photosynthesis inputs and outputs |
Inputs: CO2, H2O, chlorophyll and light Outputs: organic matter and oxygen |
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Respiration inputs and outputs |
Inputs: glucose and oxygen Outputs: CO2, H2O, energy (as heat or useful energy) |
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diversity definition |
the number of different species and the relative numbers of individuals of each species |
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different types of pyramids |
pyramids of numbers pyramids of biomass - represents the standing stock of each trophic level measure in units such as grams of biomass per square meter (g m^-2 or J m^-2) pyramids of productivity - refer to the flow of energy through a trophic level and the decrease of energy along the food chain. (g m^-2 yr^-1 or |
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Productivity terms |
Primary Productivity - Gross primary productivity (GPP): how much photosynthesis is taking place - Net primary productivity (NPP): GPP - RSP. basically shows the growth/ biomass of the plant Secondary Productivity - Gross secondary productivity (GSP): feeding - feces - Net secondary productivity (NSP): GSP - RSP |
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Population curves |
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Population limiting factors (carrying capacity) |
Density Dependent - food (quantity) - disease - space Density Independent - weather |
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why carrying capacity cannot be applied to human population |
- human innovations (technology) e.g. healthcare - humans can import food - we use a range of resources - humans are flexible, can substitute one resource to another |
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K and R strategists graphs |
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K strategists |
e.g. Wolves - fewer numbers of offspring - slow development of the young - high maternal care and investment |
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R strategists |
e.g. crabs - large number of offspring - fast development of the young - low maternal care and investment |
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Succession |
Succession is the long-term change in the composition of a community |
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Succession example |
Mount St. Helens (1980 eruption) Climax sere - Fir and Hemlock forest Intermediate sere - Red alder tree (nitrogen fixing tree, hence not reliant on soil) Pioneer sere - Prairie lupin and pocket gophers (lived under ground hence not affected by eruption) |
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Earth's water supply |
Ocean - 97.4% Fresh water frozen as ice (e.g. in the arctic) - 2.0% lakes, rivers, ground water - 0.6% total of only 2.6% of fresh water |
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Tokyo case study (water) |
made dams to increase water supply (some people were against it since it takes up space and affects their daily lives) They had to develop technologically and made dams that act as flood control and also produce electricity (killing 3 birds with one stone) environmental impact: 1. dams can flood the area 2. the water that is used for the industry becomes extremely deteriorated and pollutes nearby rivers and other bodies of water |
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water cycle |
precipitation interception transpiration (evaporation of water from plant leaves) infiltration (when soil soaks the water) surface run off |
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Kyoto Protocol |
signed in 1997 reduce the emission of CO2 allowed LEDCs to opt out. Caused problems since countries such as China soon rapidly developed and are now the biggest source of CO2. |
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The Greenhouse effect |
1. UV radiation is emitted by the sun and travels towards earth 2. Some of the UV radiation is absorbed by the Earth's surface but some is reflected (albedo effect), and transforms the UV radiation to Infrared radiation (heat) 3. Some of this infrared radiated passed the earth's surface and travels back towards space, but some is trapped by the atmosphere 4. Greenhouse gases worsen and trap more infrared radiation in the Earth's atmosphere, hence heating the earth. overall average temperature has risen by 0.8 Celsius in past 100 years |
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Greenhouse gases and origins |
CO2 - burning of fossil fuels NO - burning of fossial fuels CH4 (methane) - landfills H20 (water vapor) - clouds, evaporation water, etc. chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) - aerosols, refrigerators, etc. |
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biodiversity definition and types |
The amount of biological or living diversity per unit area. genetic diversity - the range of genetic material present in a gene pool or population of species species diversity - the variety of species per unit area. This includes both the number of species present and their relative abundance habitat diversity - The range of different habitats or number of ecological niches per unit area in a ecosystem. |
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how species diversity/ sub-species are formed |
geographical isolation - two populations of one species are separated by a geographical barrier Natural Selection - evolution and gene changing Separate gene pools are formed - reproductive isolation |
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Reasons to preserve biodiversity |
Ecological value (life sustaining) - e.g. pest control Economic benefit - e.g. fishing industry Aesthetic value - can be relaxing for people, tourism Ethical - it's the correct thing to do |
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loss of diversity in Madagascar |
Agriculture and grazing - slash and burn Population pressure - population growth rate 3% (high), causing pressure on natural environment Invasive species - Rats, cats, and mongooses, have devastated thepopulation of many organisms such as birds Deforestation - for more space Tourism - carbon footprint of tourists are harmful for fauna and flora |
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Vulnerability of species (Tasmanian Tiger) |
Small population size - caused by hunting (bounty prices since they were viewed as pests) Limited distribution - endemic species to Tasmania High degree of specialization - The Tasmanian Tigers had an extremelyspecialized diet (only soft tissue of prey such as intestines) Low reproductive potential - The Tasmanian Tigers do not survive in pacts andgroups (unable to find mating partners) High in trophic level - high in food chain, hence small population |
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NGOs |
Unites Nations Environment Program (UNEP) - who coordinates its environmental activities,assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policiesand practices
World Wide Fund (WWF) - Their mission is to stop the degradation of our planet's naturalenvironment, and build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature Greenpeace - They act to change attitudesand behavior, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace by: Catalyzingan energy revolution to address the number one threat facing our planet:climate change. |
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Criteria for protected area |
Shape - round, reducing edge effect Corridors - allows migration Proximity - if zones are separated, close proximity is better since is reduces human activity between the zones. Size - large, reducing edge effect |
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Measurements for terrestrial |
temperature - Celsius Soil acidity - pH Soil moisture - % water content |
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Measurements for aquatic |
temperature - Celsius Turbidity - cloudiness of water (NTU) Amount of bacteria - Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) Acidity - pH |