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Salinity
Agricultural problem that occurs when soil becomes salty and unfertile
as a result of being irrigated with salty water, or from salts rising
up to the surface of the ground with the water table.
Secondary consumers
Animals that eat primary consumers.
Sewage
The waste and wastewater produced in homes and businesses that drains
into the sewerage system.
Sewerage system
The entire system of sewage collection, treatment and disposal.
Silicon
A non-metal element which is often used in making electronic circuits.
Silver
A precious shiny metal.
Slag
Stony waste matter separated from metals during the smelting or refining
of ore.
Slow combustion
The process of burning fuel in heaters or stoves slowly, without using
much oxygen. This process produces more air pollutants
than normal burning.
Smelter
A facility used to separate a metal from its ore.
Smog
A colorless air pollution that occurs mostly in summer. It is produced
when pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and organic compounds (produced
by burning fossil fuels) react with sunlight in the atmosphere to form
a gas called ozone.
Solar energy
Electricity produced by using photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight
directly into electricity. Solar energy can also refer to heat produced
by solar heaters using the energy of the sun.
Solar heater
Devices which use sunlight to directly heat water or air.
Species
Living things of the same kind that are able to breed and produce healthy
offspring.
Species diversity
The total variety of all the living species in a region.
Starter
A material containing bacteria which is used to start the composting
process, eg dirt, manure or compost.
Steel
A hard, strong alloy (mixture) of iron with carbon and usually other
elements. Steel is often used in packaging and construction.
Stormwater
The run-off from roads and backyards that ends up in the stormwater
drains, and is eventually discharged into rivers or the sea.
Sulfur
A yellow element that burns easily, and is found in many minerals and
petroleum.
Sulfur dioxide
A colorless toxic gas formed by burning fossil fuels, that contributes
to air pollution and the formation of acid rain.
Sustainability
The ability to use resources now in a manner which will allow them to
continue to be used in the future.
Sustainable
A practice which does not put the environment or future resources at
risk.
Synthetic
Man-made. Synthetic products are often made to imitate natural products,
eg synthetic rubber and synthetic oil.
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