20 ENVIRONMENT TERMS

PRERNA FOR IAS

20 ENVIRONMENT TERMS

(ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT)

1. Ocean Acidification

Ocean acidification is the gradual decrease in the pH of ocean water caused by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, making the water more acidic. This process affects marine organisms such as corals, shellfish, and plankton that depend on calcium carbonate to build shells and skeletons. Ocean acidification can disrupt marine food chains, reduce biodiversity, and weaken ecosystem health. It is considered one of the major environmental challenges associated with climate change. Reducing carbon emissions is essential to slow this process and protect marine ecosystems.

2. El Niño

El Niño is a periodic warming of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. It occurs every few years and significantly influences global weather patterns. El Niño can cause droughts in some regions and floods in others. In India, it is often associated with weaker monsoon rainfall, which can affect agriculture and water availability. The phenomenon results from changes in ocean temperatures and atmospheric circulation. Scientists closely monitor El Niño because of its impact on food production, ecosystems, and economies worldwide. Understanding El Niño helps improve weather forecasting and disaster preparedness.

3. La Niña

La Niña is the opposite phase of El Niño and involves the cooling of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean. It influences atmospheric circulation and global weather conditions. La Niña often strengthens monsoon rainfall in India and can increase the likelihood of floods in some regions. It also affects temperatures, storm activity, and ocean ecosystems worldwide. The phenomenon plays an important role in climate variability and weather forecasting. By studying La Niña, scientists can better predict seasonal weather patterns and help governments prepare for climate-related challenges and natural disasters.

4. Albedo

Albedo refers to the proportion of solar radiation reflected by a surface back into space. It is expressed as a percentage or fraction. Bright surfaces such as snow, ice, and clouds have high albedo because they reflect most sunlight. Dark surfaces such as forests and oceans have low albedo because they absorb more solar energy. Albedo influences Earth’s temperature and climate by controlling how much solar energy is retained. Changes in albedo due to melting ice or land-use changes can accelerate global warming. Understanding albedo is important for climate science, environmental studies, and energy balance calculations.

5. Carbon Sink

A carbon sink is a natural or artificial system that absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it releases. Forests, oceans, wetlands, and soils are major natural carbon sinks. They play a crucial role in regulating Earth’s climate by reducing greenhouse gas concentrations. Trees absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and store carbon in their biomass. Oceans absorb large amounts of atmospheric carbon, although excessive absorption can lead to acidification. Protecting and expanding carbon sinks is an important strategy for combating climate change. Healthy carbon sinks help maintain ecological balance and support biodiversity while reducing global warming impacts.

6. Carbon Sequestration

Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide for long periods to reduce its concentration in the atmosphere. It can occur naturally through forests, soils, wetlands, and oceans, or artificially through technological methods. Natural sequestration involves plants absorbing carbon dioxide and storing it in biomass and soil. Technological approaches include carbon capture and storage systems that trap emissions from industries. Carbon sequestration helps mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas levels. It is considered an important strategy for achieving climate goals and promoting environmental sustainability. Effective sequestration supports long-term ecological and atmospheric stability.

7. Mitigation