Vocabulary for Environment, Nature and Energy
contamination = pollution by poisons or dangerous elements
Sentence- Water samples taken from streams were analysed for contamination by chemicals.
the biosphere = the relationship between all living things on the planet
Sentence- He enraged biologists by considering the biosphere of living creatures as a large chemical factory
emissions = gases entering the atmosphere
Sentence- Scientists are warning that unless carbon emissions are cut, we could be heading for an environmental catastrophe.
pollutant particles = microscopic elements of pollution
Sentence- I remember going to a factory and seeing the snow covered with pollutant particles.
run-off = water that runs from the ground into rivers and lakes
Sentence- This very effectively conserved run-off and avoided water logging.
the water cycle = the natural process of water moving from clouds to rain and seas
Sentence- He ushered in the study of the water cycle as an orderly and understandable phenomenon.
aquifers = underground, natural water stores
Sentence- Chemistry of actinides in natural aquifers, migration behaviour of radionuclides and natural analogue study are mainly discussed.
filtration = the process of filtering and removing impurities
Sentence- The filtration system provides the crew with clean air free from fumes.
water table = the layer of water below ground
Sentence- The result shows that the water table dynamic, the moisture storage, the moisture transport and so on exist some different in the lysimeter and in the natural condition.
tainted = polluted or contaminated
Sentence- He was considered tainted by association with the corrupt regime.
soil erosion = the loss of soil by wind and rain activity.
Sentence- However the methodologies in assessing soil erosion hazard, as well as policy instruments, may well not be applicable outside the United States.
logging = cutting down trees for timber and industrial use
Sentence- Also under consideration is adding logging to the industrial practices regulated by the state Clean Water Act.
dumping = leaving waste deliberately without storing or treating it
Sentence- The rivers are used as dumping grounds for industrial waste.
waste = any material not wanted or needed after a process.
Sentence- You could waste your whole life on a pipe-dream.
landfills = organised areas where waste is buried in the ground.
Sentence- Through lawsuits and protests, toxic landfills and dumps near the Hudson River were closed.
waste processing = recycling or reducing waste into manageable forms
Sentence- My brother has a waste processing company, which is subsidised by the local authority.
poaching = illegally hunting and killing animals
Sentence- They had taken to poaching as a means of supporting fresh meat for the table.
habitat loss = destruction or disappearance of an animal’s natural home.
Sentence- In India, massive habitat loss continues to devastate Bengal tiger populations.
food chain = the natural system of animals eating other animals and plants.
Sentence- The whole food chain is affected by the over-use of chemicals in agriculture.
dwindling numbers = (to dwindle = to steadily decline in quantity)
Sentence- States seem to have dwindling funds to pay for animal sanctuaries, although they are still able to pay for government officials and their perks.
extinction = the final death of all animals in a species
Sentence- Through the total fading away and extinction of craving, decay and death, sorrow, lamentation, suffering, grief, and despair are extinguished.
famine = a situation where there is a lack of food in an area for a long time .
Sentence- Famine and war have thinned down the population in this region.
drought = similar to famine, but a lack of water.
Sentence- It has been the worst drought in the country’s history.
irrigation = supplying water to land for agriculture
Sentence- The rivers merge just north of a vital irrigation system
catastrophe = a great disaster affecting many people
Sentence- The catastrophe of a tragedy usually brings death or ruin to the leading character.
exacerbated (= to exacerbate = to make an existing problem worse, accidentally or deliberately)
Sentence- The energy shortages were exacerbated by the severe winter.
