AP Environmental Science Chapter 9: Water Vocab

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aquifer

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26 Terms

1

aquifer

a permeable layer of rock and sediment that contains groundwater

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2

unconfined aquifer

an aquifer made of porous rock covered by soil out of which water can easily flow

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3

confined aquifer

an aquifer surrounded by a layer of impermeable rock or clay that impedes water flow

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4

water table

the uppermost level at which the water in a given area fully saturates rock or soil

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5

groundwater recharge

a process by which water percolates through the soil and works its way into an aquifer

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6

spring

a natural source of water formed when water from an aquifer percolates up to the ground surface

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7

artesian well

a well created by drilling a hole into a confined aquifer

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8

cone of depression

an area lacking groundwater due to rapid withdrawal by a well

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9

saltwater intrusion

an infiltration of salt water in an area where groundwater pressure has been reduced from extensive drilling of wells

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10

floodplain

the land adjacent to a river

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11

impermeable surface

pavement or buildings that do not allow water penetration

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12

levee

an enlarged bank built up on each side of a river

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13

dike

a structure built to prevent ocean waters from flooding adjacent land

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14

dam

a barrier that runs across a river or stream to control the flow of water

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15

reservoir

a water body created by damming a river or stream

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16

fish ladder

a stair-like structure that allows migrating fish to get around a dam

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17

aqueduct

a canal or ditch used to carry water from one location to another

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18

desalination

the process of removing the salt from salt water

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19

distillation

a process of desalination in which water is boiled and the resulting steam is captured and condensed to yield pure water

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20

reverse osmosis

a process of desalination in which water is forced through a thin semipermeable membrane at high pressure

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21

water footprint

the total daily per capita use of fresh water

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22

hydroponic agriculture

the cultivation of plants in greenhouse conditions by immersing roots in a nutrient rich solution

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23

tiered water-pricing system

a water allocation system that charges rates that increase with the amount of water consumed

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24

xeriscaping

a style of landscaping that removes water intensive vegetation from lawns and replaces it with more water-efficient native landscaping

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25

gray water

wastewater from baths, showers, bathroom sinks and washing machines

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26

contaminated water

wastewater from toilets, kitchen sinks, and dishwashers

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