Fresh Water, Oceans, and Coasts

These flashcards cover key terms related to freshwater, oceans, and coastal systems from the lecture notes.

Aquifers

Porous formations of rock, sand, or gravel that hold water beneath the surface.

Benthic

Referring to the ecological region at the bottom of a body of water.

Bycatch

The accidental capture of non-target animals during commercial fishing.

Confined Aquifer

An aquifer trapped between impermeable layers, which creates pressure.

Consumptive Use

The removal of water from an aquifer or surface water without returning it to the source.

Coral Reefs

Underwater structures made from calcium carbonate from the shells of coral animals.

Currents

Vast river-like flows of water moving in the ocean.

Dam

An obstruction placed in a river or stream to block its flow, often creating a reservoir.

Desalination

The process of removing salt from seawater to produce fresh water.

Drainage Basin

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

El Niño

A climate pattern characterized by warming ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.

Estuaries

Water bodies where rivers meet the ocean and mix fresh and saltwater.

Eutrophic

Referring to water bodies that are high in nutrients and low in oxygen.

Floodplain

Areas nearest to a river's course that are prone to periodic flooding.

Fresh Water

Water that is relatively pure, containing few dissolved salts.

Groundwater

Water found beneath the Earth's surface, residing within soil or rock pores.

Gyres

Large-scale circular ocean currents caused by wind patterns.

Harmful Algal Blooms

Population explosions of algae that produce toxins, often referred to as red tides.

Intertidal

Ecosystems located between the high and low tide lines.

Kelp

Large brown algae found in underwater forests in shallow ocean waters.

La Niña

A climate pattern characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the eastern Pacific.

Levees

Earthen structures built to control floods by preventing river overflow.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Protected marine areas aimed at conserving biodiversity but may still allow fishing.

Marine Reserves

Areas where fishing is prohibited to protect ecosystems and fish stocks.

Nonconsumptive Use

Water use that does not permanently remove water from its source.

Ocean Acidification

The decrease in ocean pH due to absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere.

Oligotrophic

Referring to water bodies that are low in nutrients and high in oxygen.

Pelagic

Referring to habitats occurring in the open ocean.

Point Sources

Specific locations where pollution is discharged, such as factories or sewage pipes.

Primary Treatment

The physical removal of contaminants from wastewater in settling tanks.

Recharge Zone

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

Red Tides

Harmful algal blooms that discolored water due to toxic algal species.

Reservoirs

Artificial lakes created by dams for storing water.

Runoff

Water that falls as precipitation and flows over land, entering water bodies.

Salt Marshes

Wetlands that are flooded by saltwater from the ocean.

Secondary Treatment

Biological treatment of wastewater to remove pollutants using aerobic bacteria.

Sediments

Eroded soils carried to rivers by runoff, transported long distances.

Septic Systems

Wastewater disposal systems used in rural areas involving underground tanks.

Sinkholes

Depressions or holes in the ground caused by the collapse of a surface layer.

Surface Water

Water located atop the Earth's surface, such as rivers, lakes, and streams.

Thermohaline Circulation

A global ocean current system driven by temperature and salinity differences.

Tides

The periodic rising and falling of the ocean's height caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun.

Unconfined Aquifer

An aquifer with no impermeable upper layer, allowing for free water recharge.

Upwelling

The rising of deep, cold, nutrient-rich water toward the ocean's surface.

Wastewater

Water affected by human activities, often containing biodegradable wastes.

Water Pollution

Changes in water properties caused by human activities, affecting ecosystems and health.

Watershed

The area of land that drains into a particular river system.

Water Table

The boundary between the zone of saturation and the zone of aeration in an aquifer.

Wetlands

Areas where soil is saturated with water, featuring diverse ecosystems.

Xeriscaping

Landscaping method that uses drought-resistant plants to conserve water.

Zooxanthellae

Symbiotic algae that live within coral and provide energy through photosynthesis.