Chapter 11: Freshwater Resources

These flashcards cover key concepts, vocabulary, and definitions related to freshwater resources discussed in Chapter 11.

Freshwater

Water that has low concentrations of dissolved ions and is essential for human use, yet limited in availability.

Water Cycle

The continuous movement of water through the environment via processes like evaporation, precipitation, and infiltration.

Watershed

The land area surrounding a body of water where water (like rain) can flow and potentially enter that body.

Water Scarcity

A situation where there is insufficient access to water supplies, representing a global issue.

Aquifer

An underground region of permeable soil or porous rock saturated with water.

Infiltration

The process of water from rain or snow soaking into the Earth and filling the cracks and crevices in an aquifer.

Saltwater Intrusion

The inflow of ocean water into a freshwater aquifer, contaminating the aquifer when the water table dips below sea level.

Desalination

The process of removing solutes from seawater to create freshwater, often using reverse osmosis.

Sewage Treatment

The process of treating sewage to make it safe for release into the environment, often involving multiple purification steps.

Dams

Structures built to block the flow of water, creating reservoirs, and serving purposes like flood control and electricity generation.