Environmental Science

Photolysis is a chemical process in which light energy initiates the cleavage of chemical bonds, typically breaking molecules into smaller fragments. It occurs when photons are absorbed by a substance, leading to electronic or bond-breaking transitions. The term is used widely in photochemistry and atmospheric chemistry to describe light-driven reactions.

Phytoremediation is a bioremediation method that uses plants to absorb, sequester, and detoxify pollutants from soil, water, or air. It is a sustainable, low-disturbance approach often used for heavy metals, organic contaminants, and nutrients, leveraging plant physiology to render contaminants less harmful. The term encompasses several mechanisms, including phytoextraction, phytodegradation, and phytostabilization.

Plant (noun) refers to a living organism typically fixed in place, often photosynthesizing, such as a tree, shrub, or herb. It can also mean a manufactured or cultivated item or the act of placing something in the ground. In everyday usage, it encompasses biological flora as well as buildings, equipment, or a place that has been planted.

Policy as a noun refers to a deliberate course of action or a set of principles adopted by an individual or organization. It can also denote an official contract or guideline, such as insurance terms. In usage, it often signals a formal stance or rule-based framework governing behavior or decisions.

Pollination is the process by which pollen is transferred from the male structures of flowers to the female structures, enabling fertilization and seed production. It can occur via wind, insects, or other animals, and is essential for plant reproduction and crop yields. The term covers both the act and the mechanism, including pollen reception, germination, and fertilization within the flower.

Pollinator refers to an organism that transfers pollen within or between flowers, enabling fertilization and seed production. Common pollinators include bees, butterflies, birds, and bats. Understanding pollinators helps explain plant reproduction, ecosystem services, and agricultural yields, as these organisms move pollen pollen from anther to stigma, often across short or long distances.

Pollutant is a substance that contaminates air, water, or soil, often harmful to living organisms. In environmental science and policy, the term covers chemicals, particulates, and biological agents that degrade quality or pose health risks. The word is commonly used in technical and regulatory contexts, with emphasis on source, exposure, and impact assessment.

Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances or energy into the environment, causing adverse effects to air, water, or soil. It is typically driven by human activity but can also include natural sources. The term covers contaminants from industrial processes, vehicles, waste, and chemical use that degrade ecosystems and human health.

Population is a noun meaning the total number of people inhabiting a particular area, country, or group. It can also refer to the group of individuals in a given study or context. The term is common in demographics, sociology, and statistics, and is often used in discussing growth, density, and distribution of people.

Predation is the act of an organism feeding on another living organism, typically by hunting or ambushing. In scientific contexts, it describes the ecological interaction where one species preys on another, often shaping behavior and populations. The term can also be used more broadly to describe exploitative or predatory behavior in various settings.

Reclamation is the process of recovering, restoring, or reclaiming land, property, or rights that were previously damaged, lost, or unused. It can refer to environmental projects that revive wetlands or forests, legal action to recover property, or the act of resettling and repurposing land for productive use. In discourse, it often implies restoration to a previous or improved state, sometimes with cleanup or regulatory elements.

Recycling refers to the process of converting waste materials into new products to prevent waste, reduce resource extraction, and lower environmental impact. It involves collection, sorting, conversion, and remanufacturing of materials such as plastics, metals, paper, and glass. The term emphasizes sustainable practice and circular economy principles rather than disposal.

Reef is a noun referring to a ridge of rock, coral, or sand at or near the surface of the sea that can form a habitat for marine life or create hazards to navigation. It can also describe a decorative or protective strip on a garment or sail, but the marine sense is the most common. The term emphasizes a submerged obstacle or structure that interacts with waves and currents.

Reforestation is the process of restoring forest cover in areas where forests have been depleted or destroyed. It involves planting trees, natural regeneration, and ecosystem restoration to recover biodiversity, climate regulation, and soil stability. The term combines re- (again) with forestation (tree planting), and is commonly used in environmental policy and conservation discussions.

Regulation refers to the act or process of governing or controlling conduct or activity, typically through rules or directives established by authority. It can also denote a rule or directive itself. In context, it often describes legal, administrative, or policy frameworks designed to maintain standards, safety, or market order. The term emphasizes systematic oversight rather than ad hoc management.

Renewable is an adjective describing energy or resources that are naturally replenished or able to replenish themselves, especially sources like solar, wind, or hydro power. It emphasizes sustainability and long-term viability, contrasting with finite or nonrenewable options. In everyday use, it often qualifies policies, technologies, or investments aimed at reducing environmental impact.

Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, adversity, or trauma. It also refers to the ability of a material to spring back into shape after bending or stretching. In psychology, it encompasses effective coping, persistence, and adaptability in the face of stress. (2–4 sentences, ~60–70 words)

Resource (noun) refers to a supply of assets or materials that can be drawn on to function effectively in a system or situation. It can also denote a source of information or help. In various contexts, ‘resource’ emphasizes availability, utility, and support that enable achieving goals or solving problems, whether tangible (minerals, energy) or intangible (data, knowledge).

Restoration is the action of returning something to a former, better condition or state, or the process of repairing and renovating something to its original or improved form. It also denotes a revival or re-establishment of a tradition, regime, or institution. In art, history, and law, it refers to restoring status quo, structure, or function after damage or decay.