S. 17 Water Resources and Groundwater Management

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to water resources and groundwater management.

Groundwater

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

Hydrosphere

The combined mass of water found on, under, and over the surface of a planet.

Porosity

The percentage of open space in a rock or sediment that can hold fluids.

Permeability

The ability of a material to transmit fluids through its pore spaces.

Aquifer

A geological formation that can store and transmit significant amounts of water.

Aquiclude

A layer of rock that is impermeable to water, acting as a barrier to groundwater flow.

Hydraulic conductivity

A measure of a material's ability to allow water to flow through it.

Evapotranspiration

The sum of water that is evaporated from the soil and transpired by plants.

Recharge area

The area where water enters an aquifer and replenishes its supply.

Discharge area

The area where groundwater flows back to the surface, often forming springs or rivers.

Unsaturated zone

The area above the water table where soil and rock are not fully saturated with water.

Capillary fringe

The zone above the water table where water is held in pore spaces due to capillary action.

Water table

The level below which the ground is saturated with water.

Confined aquifer

An aquifer that is capped by impermeable layers above and below, leading to pressurized water.

Unconfined aquifer

An aquifer that is open to the surface and recharged by rainfall directly above it.

Perched aquifer

A localized aquifer that lies above the main water table, separated by an aquiclude.

Darcy's Law

An equation that describes the flow of a fluid through a porous medium.

Stream channel

A confined pathway through which water flows in a river or stream.

Soil moisture

Water that is held in the soil and is available for uptake by plants.

Surface water

Water that is found on the surface of the Earth, such as in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Aquifer depletion

The reduction of groundwater levels due to excessive withdrawal exceeding natural recharge.

Cone of depression

A localized drop in the water table around a well due to excessive pumping.

Saline water

Water that contains a high concentration of salts, typically found in oceans.

Freshwater

Water with less than 1,000 mg/L of dissolved salts, suitable for drinking and irrigation.

Atmospheric moisture

Water vapor present in the atmosphere, which contributes to precipitation.

Glaciers

Large masses of ice that store freshwater and release it slowly over time.

Interception

The process by which precipitation is captured by plants and buildings before it reaches the ground.

Snowmelt

Water released from melting snow, often significant in contributing to stream and river flow.

Transpiration

The process by which water vapor is released from plants into the atmosphere.

Basin

An area of land where precipitation collects and drains into a common outlet.

Hydrologic cycle

The continuous cycle of water movement through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.

Flowing artesian well

A well in which water rises naturally to the surface due to pressure in a confined aquifer.

Non-flowing artesian well

A confined well where water does not rise to the surface without pumping.

Aquifer system

A combination of various aquifers and confining units that work together to store and transmit water.

Water conservation

Efforts and practices applied to reduce water usage and waste.

California's agriculture

Requires significant water resources despite contributing a small portion to GDP.

Groundwater management

Sustainable practices to regulate the extraction and use of groundwater resources.

Water rights

Legal rights to use water from a source, which can be bought, sold, or leased.

Water footprint

The total volume of freshwater used to produce goods and services consumed.

Recharge rate

The speed at which aquifers are replenished by precipitation or surface water.

Wetlands

Areas where water covers the soil or is present near the surface for part of the year.

Slope failure

The failure of sloped land due to erosion or saturation by water.

Floodplain

An area adjacent to a river that is subject to flooding and often fertile due to sediment deposition.

Water infrastructure

Facilities and systems that provide water supply and management.

Mining aquifers

Using groundwater for extraction of minerals, which can affect water levels.

Thermoelectric generation

Power generation that uses water for cooling and steam production.

Water quality standards

Regulations set to protect public health and the environment from polluted water.

NSF Water Quality Assessment

A study or method to measure the quality of water sources to ensure safety.

Hydrogeology

The study of the distribution and movement of groundwater in the soil and rocks of the Earth's crust.

Geological formations

The structural and geological features that can contain or transmit water.

Evaporation

The process by which water is converted from liquid form to vapor.

Conservation tillage

Agricultural practices that minimize soil disturbance and conserve moisture.

Drought

A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall relative to the statistical norm.

Flood control

Measures taken to prevent or reduce flooding in affected areas.

Infiltration rate

The speed at which water enters the soil from the surface.

Artificial recharge

The intentional addition of water to aquifers to enhance groundwater supplies.

Sustainable water use

Utilization of water resources in a way that meets current needs without compromising future availability.

Public water supply

Water provided to the population by governmental or municipal authorities.

Agricultural runoff

Water from rainfall or irrigation that flows over land and can carry pollutants into water bodies.

Wastewater treatment

The process of removing contaminants from wastewater to produce water that can be reused.

Stormwater management

Strategies to manage rainwater to reduce flooding and protect water quality.

Desalination

The process of removing salts from seawater to produce freshwater.

Aquifer recharge zones

Regions where water infiltrates the ground and replenishes aquifers.

Water scarcity

A situation where the demand for water exceeds the available supply.

Frequent flooding

An occurrence of floods that happens regularly, often due to poor land management.

Water cycle

The movement of water through the environment by processes such as evaporation and precipitation.

Bioretention systems

Designs used to manage stormwater using natural processes like filtration and evaporation.

Drinking Water Quality Act

Legislation that oversees the quality of drinking water supply.

Conservation practices

Techniques and actions taken to protect and conserve water resources.

Environmental impact assessment

Evaluation of the potential effects of a project on the environment.

Flood mitigation strategies

Efforts to prevent, reduce, and control flooding impacts.

Rainwater harvesting

Collection and storage of rainwater for reuse before it reaches the ground.

Urban water use

Water usage in urban areas, typically higher per capita than in rural areas.

Permeable surfaces

Ground surfaces that allow water to flow through, reducing runoff and promoting infiltration.