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Fecal coliform bacteria
Bacteria found in the intestinal tracts of mammals. Their presence in water or sludge is an indicator of pollution and possible contamination by pathogens.
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
P.L. 80-44 (June 25, 1947), as amended, is the basic authority that requires the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate the sales and uses of pesticides. The federal government began regulating pesticides in 1910 for the purpose of preventing the exploitation of farmers from adulterated and ineffective products. The original 1947 FIFRA was the first effort to address potential risks to human health. FIFRA was completely revised in 1972 (P.L. 92-516) to become the basis for current federal policy. The law directs EPA to restrict the use of pesticides to prevent unreasonable adverse effects on people and the environment taking into account the costs and benefits of various uses. The sale of any pesticide is prohibited unless it has gone through registration and is labeled to show the approved uses and restrictions.
Feedback Mechanisms
A mechanism that connects one aspect of a system to another. The connection can be either amplifying (positive feedback) or moderating (negative feedback). See climate feedback.
Feedlot
A confined cattle feeding facility where feeder cattle (usually less than a year old) are put on higher protein rations to prepare them for slaughter as fed cattle at "good" or better grades. Commercial feedlots of 1,000 head or more are considered by the Environmental Protection Agency to be concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) and therefore subject to rules requiring permits setting effluent standards.
Felsic
Term used to describe the amount of light colored feldspar and silica minerals in an igneous rock. Complement of mafic.
Fertilization
A term used to denote efforts to enhance plant growth by increased application of nitrogen-based fertilizer or increased deposition of nitrates in precipitation.
Fertilization, Carbon Dioxide
An expression (sometimes reduced to fertilization) used to denote increased plant growth due to a higher carbon dioxide concentration.
Fertilizer
Any organic or inorganic material, either natural or synthetic, used to supply elements (such as nitrogen (N), phosphate (P2O5), and potash (K2O)) essential for plant growth. If used in excess or attached to eroding soil, fertilizers can become a source of water pollution.
Fetch
The area in which ocean waves are generated by the wind. Also refers to the length of the fetch area, measured in the direction of the wind.
Field capacity
See Field-moisture capacity

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