Freshwater Systems and Resources

These flashcards cover the key concepts related to freshwater systems, water use, and water pollution, providing definitions and context for important terms discussed in the lecture.

Aquifers

Porous, spongelike formations of rock, sand, or gravel that can hold water.

Artesian Aquifer

A confined aquifer under great pressure, with water trapped between impermeable layers.

Confined Aquifer

An aquifer that is trapped between upper and lower layers of less permeable substrate.

Consumptive Use

Water removal from an aquifer or surface water body that is not returned.

Dam

An obstruction placed in a river or stream to block its flow and create a reservoir.

Desalination

The removal of salt from seawater or water of marginal quality to produce fresh water.

Eutrophic

Water bodies that are high in nutrients and low in oxygen.

Floodplain

Areas nearest a river’s course that are flooded periodically.

Fresh Water

Water that is relatively pure with few dissolved salts.

Groundwater

Water beneath the surface that resides within pores in soil or rock.

Nonconsumptive Use

Water use that does not permanently remove water from an aquifer or surface water body.

Nonpoint Source

Pollution that arises from multiple inputs over larger areas, such as farms and streets.

Oligotrophic

Water bodies that are low in nutrients and high in oxygen.

Point Source

Pollution emitted from discrete locations like factories or sewer pipes.

Primary Treatment

The physical removal of contaminants in wastewater treatment using settling tanks.

Recharge Zone

Any area where water infiltrates Earth's surface and reaches an aquifer below.

Reservoirs

Artificial lakes created by dams that store water for human use.

Runoff

Water that flows over land surface after rainfall, snowmelt, or springs.

Secondary Treatment

Wastewater treatment process where aerobic bacteria degrade organic pollutants.

Septic Systems

Wastewater disposal systems where solids separate from water in an underground tank.

Sinkholes

Areas where the ground collapses suddenly, often due to groundwater depletion.

Surface Water

Water located atop Earth’s surface, including rivers, lakes, and ponds.

Unconfined Aquifer

An aquifer with no impermeable upper layer, allowing easy recharge by surface water.

Wastewater

Water that carries sewage or has been affected by human activities.

Water Pollution

Changes in water’s chemical, physical, or biological properties caused by human activities.

Watershed

The area of land drained by a river system, including all its tributaries.

Water Table

The boundary between the upper layer of an aquifer that is partly filled with water and the lower layer that is completely filled.

Wetlands

Saturated soil systems that feature shallow standing water with vegetation.

Xeriscaping

Landscaping using plants adapted to arid conditions to reduce water use.