Freshwater and water cycles

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from the lecture on freshwater change.

Freshwater

Water that is not salty and is suitable for drinking and irrigation.

Planetary boundary

A threshold that should not be crossed to prevent detrimental environmental changes.

Hydrologic cycle

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

Blue water

The portion of freshwater in rivers and lakes that is available for human use.

Green water

Water that is stored in the soil and used by plants.

Watershed

An area of land where all the water that falls into it drains to a common outlet.

Atmospheric water

Water present in the atmosphere in vapor form.

Groundwater

Water located beneath the Earth's surface in soil pore spaces and fractures in rock.

Surface water

Water that collects on the surface of the ground, such as lakes, rivers, and wetlands.

Reservoir

A storage location for water, such as lakes, aquifers, or glaciers.

Radiative forcing

The difference between solar radiation absorbed by the Earth and energy radiated back to space, influencing climate change.

Ocean acidification

The decrease in pH of the Earth's oceans caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Aerosol loading

The concentration of particulate matter suspended in the atmosphere that can affect climate and air quality.

Stratospheric ozone depletion

The reduction of ozone in the stratosphere, which protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Ecological integrity

The ability of an ecosystem to maintain its structure, function, and processes in the face of stress.

Functional safe operating space

The range within which humanity can safely operate without causing significant environmental harm.

Biogeochemical flows

The cycling of essential nutrients through ecosystems including carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus.