APES unit 9

Aquifer

A permeable layer of rock and sediment that contains groundwater.

Unconfined aquifer

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

Confined aquifer

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

Water table

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

Groundwater recharge

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

Spring

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

Artesian well

A well created by drilling a hole into a confined aquifer.

The Ogallala aquifer.

largest in the United States, with a surface area of about 450,000 km2

Cone of depression

An area lacking groundwater due to rapid withdrawal by a well.

Saltwater intrusion

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

Floodplain

The land adjacent to a river.

Impermeable surface

Pavement or buildings that do not allow water penetration.

Levee

An enlarged bank built up on each side of a river.

Dike

A structure built to prevent ocean waters from flooding adjacent land.

Dam

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

Reservoir

The water body created by a damming a river or stream.

Fish ladder

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

Aqueduct

A canal, ditch, or pipe used to carry water from one location to another.

Desalination

The process of removing the salt from salt water. Also known as Desalinization.

Distillation

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

Reverse osmosis

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

Water footprint

The total daily per capita use of fresh water

irrigation:Furrow

a trench that is flooded with water

irrigation:Flood

the entire field is flooded with water

irrigation:spray

an apparatus sprays water across a field

irrigation:drip

a slow dripping hose is laid on or buried beneath the soil

Hydroponic agriculture

The cultivation of plants in greenhouse conditions by immersing roots in a nutrient-rich solution.

Tiered water-pricing systems

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

Xeriscaping

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

Gray water

Wastewater from baths, showers, bathrooms, and washing machines.

Contaminated water

Wastewater from toilets, kitchen sinks, and dishwashers.