Term Definition alga(e) Primitive, often aquatic, plants that carry on photosynthesis but lack the flowers, roots, stems, and leaves of higher plants. algal bloom High concentrations or densities of algae. allopathy The suppression of growth of an organism by another due to the release of a toxic substance. amino acids The building blocks for the synthesis of proteins. Can be a source of nitrog...

It has been suggested, originally by Twomey (SCEP, 1970), that anthropogenic aerosols in the troposphere can influence the microphysical properties of clouds and in turn their reflectivity (albedo), thereby exerting a radiative influence on climate. This chapter presents the theoretical basis for of this so-called indirect forcing and reviews pertinent observational evidence and climate model c...

A nthropogenic climate change leads to more damage from weather disasters. This claim is made frequently in debates on the impacts of ongoing global warming. Although many other impacts and risks are associated with climate change, shifts in weather extremes are one of the most prominent anticipated impacts and of concern to many. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported th...

Genes encoding resistance to antibiotics appear, like the antibiotics themselves, to be ancient, originating long before the rise of the era of anthropogenic antibiotics. However, detailed understanding of the specific biological advantages of antibiotic resistance in natural environments is still lacking, thus limiting our efforts to prevent environmental influx of resistance genes. Here, we p...