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.