Water Resources and Pollution

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to water resources and pollution, summarizing crucial concepts for easy revision.

Freshwater Resources

Water that has few dissolved ions, such as salt, essential for life.

Water Cycle

The movement of water through various compartments, including surface waters, atmosphere, soil, and living organisms.

Evapotranspiration

The combined processes of evaporation from the land and transpiration from plants.

Aquifer

An underground, permeable region of soil or rock that is saturated with water.

Infiltration

The process of water soaking into the ground.

Groundwater

Water found underground in aquifers.

Eutrophication

A process by which excess nutrients in aquatic ecosystems feed biological productivity, ultimately lowering the oxygen content in the water.

Hypoxia

A situation in which a body of water contains inadequate levels of oxygen, harming aquatic life.

Desalination

The removal of salt and minerals from seawater or brackish water to make it suitable for consumption.

Point Source Pollution

Pollution that comes from a single, identifiable source, such as discharge pipes.

Nonpoint Source Pollution

Pollution from diffuse sources that cannot be traced back to a single point, often carried by runoff.

Water Scarcity

The lack of sufficient access to clean water supplies.

Conservation

The careful management of water resources to prevent waste and ensure sustainability.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Areas where human activities are restricted to protect marine ecosystems.

Water Footprint

The total volume of freshwater used to produce the goods and services consumed by an individual or community.