Water Resources and Pollution

Flashcards covering key concepts and vocabulary related to water resources, pollution, and waste management.

Colorado River Compact

An agreement from 1922 involving seven states that rely on the Colorado River for human use.

Drought

A prolonged dry period with no significant rainfall, leading to water scarcity.

Watershed

An area of land that drains into a specific river system.

Aquifer

Permeable layers of rock and soil that contain groundwater.

Water table

The level below which the ground is saturated with water.

Desalination

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

Point-source pollution

Pollution that can be traced to a single discrete source, such as a factory.

Nutrient pollution

Pollution caused by excess nutrients, primarily phosphorus, in water bodies.

Eutrophication

A process where excess nutrients lead to increased algae growth and reduced oxygen in water.

Biological pollution

Pollution that occurs when pathogens enter waterways, leading to human health risks.

Hazardous waste

Waste that poses a risk to human health or the environment due to its toxic, reactive, or flammable nature.

Recycling

The process of collecting and reprocessing waste materials for reuse.

Composting

The process of converting organic waste into nutrient-rich mulch or humus.

Incineration

The burning of waste at high temperatures to reduce its volume and create energy.

Groundwater mining

The excessive withdrawal of groundwater that depletes aquifers faster than they can be replenished.

Virtual water

Water that is used in the production of goods and food.

Sediment pollution

Pollution resulting from large amounts of sediment that can degrade water quality.

Thermal pollution

Pollution caused by heat released into waterways, lowering oxygen levels.