Word search the environment

Environmental science is the study of the environment. It questions and investigates how the environment functions and it’s interactions with people and other pressures. A word search is a great way to introduce vocabulary words associated with a topic. This Environmental Science Word Search is a great way to introduce vocabulary used in the wide study of our environment.

Find the 30 hidden environmental science terms by looking horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. They can also be spelled out reversed as well as forwards, so look carefully!

Environmental Science Word Search Download Links

This word search is meant to fit on an 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet of paper. If A4 paper is your preferred paper size, use the provided PDF link and select “Fit to Page” in your printing options. The puzzle scales down nicely.

[Word Search Image] | [Word Search PDF]

Sometimes the hidden words in word searches are particularly good at staying hidden. If you need a little hint or a lot of hints, check out the completed word search key for this puzzle.

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Environmental Science Word Search Vocabulary List

These are the 30 terms and definitions found in the Environmental Word Search.

acid rain – precipitation of acidic substances from the atmosphere
aerosols – materials finely distributed in air. Can be solids, liquids, or gases.
aquifer – rock formation or zone containing significant amounts of groundwater.
atmosphere – Atmosphere refers to the gases surrounding a star or planetary body held in place by gravity
biodegradation – decomposition of materials by microorganisms
biodiversity – the variety of life in an ecosystem or habitat
biomass – the amount of biological material in a volume of space
biome – a large distinctive community of plants identified by types of plants and their climate
biosphere – the part of a planet containing life
biotic – materials derived from living organisms
carbon cycle – the sequence of events following the movement of carbon atoms in the biosphere
carcinogen – any cancer-causing substance
climate – the prevailing long term weather patterns of an area
conservation – protection or preservation of materials or life from destruction or waste
ecosystem – a community of mutually interacting living organisms and their physical environment
environment – the physical surroundings of a living organism
erosion – the natural process of removing material using another material such as wind or water
greenhouse – physical process trapping heat energy in a volume of space
habitat – the region containing the environmental factors required for the survival of an organism
indicator – anything that defines the current state or point of change of any system
nitrogen cycle – the sequence of events following the movement of nitrogen atoms in the biosphere
pollution – the action of introducing materials which are harmful or toxic to an environment
recycling – the process of converting waste materials into useful materials
smog – atmospheric pollutants mixed with water vapor to make a hazy fog of polluted air
stressor – an environmental factor that puts a constraint on the productivity or development of an organism or its environment.
tolerance – a measure of the ability of an organism or its environment to resist toxic stressors
toxicology – the study of toxins and poisons
waste – any discarded materials
water cycle – the sequence of events following the movement of water molecules in the biosphere
weather – the short-term meteorological conditions in a region