Climate ModelMathematical model for quantitatively describing, simulating, and analyzing the interactions between the atmosphere and underlying surface (e.g.
Climate modelingThe simulation of the climate using computer-based models. See climate model, General Circulation Model.
Climate OutlookA climate outlook issued by the CPC gives probabilities that conditions, averaged over a specified period, will be below-normal, normal, or above-normal.
Climate Prediction CenterThis Center is one of several centers under the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) part of the National Weather Service (NWS) in the…
Climate SensitivityIn IPCC Reports, equilibrium climate sensitivity refers to the equilibrium change in global mean surface temperature following a doubling of the…
Climate SystemThe system consisting of the atmosphere (gases), hydrosphere (water), lithosphere (solid rocky part of the Earth), and biosphere (living) that determine…
Climate System (or Earth System)The five physical components (atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere) that are responsible for the climate and its variations.
Climate variabilityClimate (climatic) variability 1)In the most general sense, the term "climate variability" denotes the inherent characteristic of climate which manifests…
Climatic yearContinuous 12-month period during which a complete climactic cycle occurs.
Climatological atlasClimatological atlas Atlas composed mainly of climatological charts. It represents especially the monthly and annual distributions of the principal…
Climatological OutlookAn outlook based upon climatological statistics for a region, abbreviated as CL on seasonal outlook maps.
ClimatologyThe science that deals with the phenomena of climates or climatic conditions.
ClimometerAn instrument that measures angles of inclination; used to measure cloud ceiling heights.
clineVariation in one or more phenotypic characters or allele frequencies across a geographical gradient.
clonal propagationAsexual propagation of many new plants (ramet s) from an individual (ortet ); all have the same genotype.
clonal selectionThe production of a population of plasma cells all producing the same antibody in response to the interaction between a B lymphocyte producing that…
ClonalityA line of cells that is genetically identical to the originating cell; in this case, a stem cell.
CloneAn exact genetic replica of a specific gene or an entire organism. See Cloning.
Cloning vectorA small, self-replicating DNA molecule - usually a plasmid or viral DNA chromosome - into which foreign DNA is inserted in the process of cloning genes or…
Close CoupledAn energy system in which the fuel production equipment is in close proximity, or connected to, the fuel using equipment.
Closed BasinA basin draining to some depression or a pond within its area, from which water is lost only by evaporation or percolation.
Closed Basin Lake FloodingFlooding that occurs on lakes with either no outlet or a relatively small one. Seasonal increases in rainfall cause the lake level to rise faster than it…
closed continuous cultureA culture system, in which the inflow of fresh medium is balanced by the outflow of corresponding volumes of spent medium.
Closed CycleA system in which a working fluid is used over and over without introduction of new fluid, as in a hydronic heating system or mechanical refrigeration…
Closed LowA low pressure area with a distinct center of cyclonic circulation which can be completely encircled by one or more isobars or height contour lines.
Closed UniverseA universe where the geometry of space closes upon itself like the surface of a sphere.
Closed-Loop BiomassAs defined by the Comprehensive National Energy Act of 1992 (or the Energy Policy Act; EPAct): any organic matter from a plant which is planted for the…
Closed-loop cooling systemAlso known as a wet closed-cycle cooling system, a system that circulates water between a steam condenser and a cooling tower to cool steam condensate at…
Closed-Loop Geothermal Heat Pump SystemsClosed-loop (also known as "indirect") systems circulate a solution of water and antifreeze through a series of sealed loops of piping.
CloudA claim to the title of a property that, if valid, would prevent a purchaser from obtaining a clear title.
Cloud amountCloud amount (cover) That portion of the sky cover which is attributed to clouds.
cloud base heightFor a given cloud or cloud layer, the lowest level of the atmosphere where cloud properties are detectable.
Cloud CeilingSame as Ceiling; the height of the cloud base for the lowest broken or overcast cloud layer.
Cloud Condensation NucleiSmall particles in the air on which water vapor condenses and forms cloud droplets.
cloud condensation nucleusA particle, either liquid or solid, upon which water condenses to form cloud droplets.
cloud coverThe amount of the sky obscured by clouds when observed at a particular location.
cloud deckThe top of a cloud layer, usually viewed from an aircraft.
cloud fractionFraction of sky covered by clouds, observed directly or derived from SW irradiance.
cloud ice waterThe concentration (mass/vol) of ice water particles in a cloud.
Cloud LayerAn array of clouds whose bases are at approximately the same level.
cloud liquid waterThe concentration (mass/vol) of liquid water droplets in a cloud.
Cloud MovementThe direction toward which a cloud is moving
Cloud StreetsRows of cumulus or cumulus-type clouds aligned parallel to the low-level flow. Cloud streets sometimes can be seen from the ground, but are seen best on…
Cloud TagsRagged, detached cloud fragments; fractus or scud.
cloud top heightFor a given cloud or cloud layer, the highest level of the atmosphere where cloud properties are detectable.
CloudyWhen 7/8ths or more of the sky is covered by clouds.
Clovis ComplexCharacteristic of Paleoindian finds located near Clovis, New Mexico, such as specific fluted points.
clusterClusters are fixed length blocks of bytes that store data for Microsoft operating systems.
Cluster DevelopmentA pattern of development in which industrial and commercial facilities, and homes are grouped together on parcels of land in order to leave parts of the…
Co-BenefitThe benefits of policies that are implemented for various reasons at the same time – including climate change mitigation – acknowledging that most…
co-cloningThe unintentional cloning of DNA fragments, along with the desired one, that can occur when the source of DNA being cloned is not sufficiently purified.
Co-control benefitThe additional benefit derived from an environmental policy that is designed to control one type of pollution, while reducing the emissions of other…
co-cultureA mixture of two or more different kinds of cells that are grown together.
co-dominanceWhere both alleles are expressed in the heterozygous state, so that the phenotype reflects a contribution from both alleles.
co-evolutionThe evolution of complementary adaptations in two species brought about by the selection pressure that each exerts on the other.
co-factorAn organic molecule or inorganic ion necessary for the normal catalytic activity of an enzyme. Synonym: co-enzyme.
co-fermentationThe simultaneous growth of two micro-organisms in one bioreactor.
co-firingThe use of a mixture of two fuels within the same combustion chamber.
co-generationThe technology of producing electric energy and another form of useful energy (usually thermal) for industrial, commercial, or domestic heating or cooling…
co-integrateA chimeric DNA molecule formed by the incorporation at a single site of two different DNA molecules.
co-integrate vector systemA two plasmid system for plant transgenesis. One plasmid is engineered to carry a T-DNA segment incorporating the gene(s) to be introduced.
co-linearity1. A general relationship in which the units in one molecule occur in the same sequence as the units in another molecule which they specify; e.g.
co-repressorAn effector molecule that forms a complex with a repressor and turns off the expression of a gene or set of genes.
co-segregationThe joint inheritance of two characters, usually the result of genetic linkage.
co-suppressionA natural gene silencing phenomenon, which probably evolved as part of plants' defence against viral attack, but which has become important in the context…
co-transfectionThe procedure by which a baculovirus and a transfer vector are simultaneously introduced into insect cells in culture.
co-transformationA protocol for producing transgenesis, in which host (plant or animal) cells are transformed simultaneously with two different plasmids, one of which…
CoalA black or brownish black solid, combustible substance formed by the partial decomposition of vegetable matter without access to air.
Coal cokeA hard, porous product made from baking bituminous coal in ovens at temperatures as high as 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Coal gasificationConversion of solid coal to synthetic natural gas (SNG) or a gaseous mixture that can be burned as a fuel.
Coal liquefactionConversion of solid coal to a liquid fuel such as synthetic crude oil or methanol.
Coal Mine MethaneCoal mine methane is the subset of CBM that is released from the coal seams during the process of coal mining.
Coalbed methaneA methane-rich gas, similar to natural gas, produced from in-situ coal through drilled wells that are typically completed open-hole, as opposed to the…
CoalescenceThe process by which water droplets in a cloud collide and come together to form raindrops.
Coarse gravel protectionGravel generally placed in a layer upon a finished surface to protect the finished surface from deterioration or erosion.