Water Resources and Pollution Flashcards

Flashcards about water resources and pollution

Water Table

The uppermost boundary of an aquifer.

Recharge Area

Area of land that fills the aquifer; recharged (refilled) from the ground surface directly above it.

Unconfined Aquifer

An aquifer that recharges quicker, but is polluted quicker.

Confined Aquifer

An aquifer that has an impermeable layer of clay/rock that limits recharging to a smaller area; recharges slower.

Watershed

The entire area of land where water runoff or infiltration feeds a specific river.

Water Withdrawal

The amount of water diverted/removed from its source, a portion may be returned afterwards.

Water Consumption

Water withdrawn and permanently removed from a source.

Water Stress

Occurs when the demand for water is greater than the supply; leads to depletion of freshwater resources.

Overconsumption

Using too much water, more than necessary.

Saltwater Intrusion

Freshwater depletion causes the movement of saltwater into freshwater aquifers.

Desalination

Removal of salt from ocean water through distillation or reverse osmosis.

Distillation (desalination)

Boils the water and collects the steam.

Reverse Osmosis (desalination)

Passes pressurized water through a filter.

Drip Irrigation

Installing drip irrigation systems for tree crops with high water demands.

Contour Plowing

Slows runoff and increases infiltration.

Lining Canals

To prevent leaks and block evaporation.

Dual-flush Toilets

Use less water for urine and more for solid waste.

Low-flow Showerheads and Sinks

Use aerators to reduce water consumption.

Xeriscaping

Uses drought-tolerant plants in the homes and yards in arid climates.

Graywater Systems

Recirculate used water from the sink/shower into the toilet or for yard irrigation.

Clean Water Act of 1970

Established rules and regulations on what can be discharged into surface waters.

Impaired Waters

Waters that do not meet one or more of the standards of cleanliness.

Coliform Bacteria

Disease-causing bacteria from untreated human sewage and manure.

Heavy Metals

Neurotoxins, metals like HG, Fe released by mining and use of synthetic fertilizers.

Nutrient Pollution

Nitrogen and phosphorus-rich compounds that promote algae overgrowth from fertilizers.

Oxygen-Depleting Pollution

Biodegradable matter consumed by decomposers which depletes oxygen levels in water, leaving a dead zone.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

Synthetic chemicals that do not degrade and are prone to biomagnification/bioaccumulation; 'forever chemicals'.

Acid Pollution

Industrial pollutants that reduce the pH of water.

Point Source (water pollution)

Water pollution that comes from a single, identifiable source.

Nonpoint Source (water pollution)

Water pollution that comes from runoff or infiltration from a wider area.

Cultural Eutrophication

An increase in algae growth as fertilizer enters surface waters.

Dead Zone

Areas of water where the dissolved oxygen is too low for fish and other large animals to survive.

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

The law that regulates tap water.

Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act (FDA)

The law that regulates bottled water.

Artesian Water

Bottled water from a confined aquifer.

Mineral/Spring Water

Bottled water from an unconfined aquifer.

Purified Water

Bottled water sourced from tap water.

Oil Pollution Act of 1996

Resulted from the Exxon Valdez oil spill, required tankers to have a double-hull design.

Microplastics

Plastics that aren't biodegradable but will break down into smaller pieces as they are exposed to sunlight.

Gyre

5 major circular currents that plastic pollution accumulates in.

North Pacific Gyre

The gyre where the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is found.