Environmental Chemistry Lecture 1 - Gases in Water

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the Environmental Chemistry lecture on Gases in Water.

Freshwaters

Water that is not saline; includes water in lakes and rivers.

Saline water

Water that contains a high concentration of salts, such as oceans.

O2(aq)

Aqueous oxygen concentration required for aquatic life.

Henry’s Law constant (KH)

A constant that describes the solubility of gases in liquids.

pO2

Partial pressure of oxygen under normal atmospheric conditions.

Oxygen Depletion

A reduction in water oxygen levels causing suffocation in aquatic life.

Thermal Pollution

Increase in water temperature due to human activity.

Epilimnion

The upper layer of water in a stratified lake that is warmed by solar radiation.

Hypolimnion

The denser, cooler bottom layer of water in a stratified lake.

Anaerobic

Condition in water where oxygen is absent.

Aerobic

Condition in water where oxygen is present.

Biomass

Biological organic matter in water produced by organisms like algae.

Organic Matter

Material derived from living organisms, influences biogeochemical processes.

Total Organic Carbon (TOC)

A measure of organic matter in water, important for understanding water quality.

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

The amount of oxygen required to chemically degrade organic matter in wastewater.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

A measure of how much dissolved oxygen is consumed by microbes breaking down organic matter.

Sewage Disposal

The management of wastewater, can lead to oxygen depletion in water bodies.

Oxidizable Substances

Materials that consume oxygen during decomposition, harming aquatic life.

Stagnant Water

Water that has insufficient oxygen levels, causing a lack of movement.

Micro-organisms

Small living organisms, including bacteria that break down organic matter in water.

Potassium Dichromate

A strong oxidizing agent used in COD tests for measuring organic matter.

Acids

Substances that provide H+ ions in water.

Bases

Substances that remove H+ ions from solution.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Gas that dissolves in water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3).

Acid Rain

Precipitation with a pH significantly lower than that of natural rain.

Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4)

A major acid component of acid rain.

Nitric Acid (HNO3)

Another significant acid found in acid rain.

Dissolved Oxygen

Oxygen that is dissolved in water, vital for aquatic organisms.

Acidic Precipitation

Precipitation with a pH lower than that of normal rain.

Aquatic Systems

Ecosystems that contain water; characterized by various chemical dynamics.

Glacier Water

Freshwater stored in ice masses that is not immediately usable.

Water Quality

The chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water.

Ecosystem Health

Overall status of an ecosystem, often assessed by oxygen levels.

Dissolution

The process by which substances dissolve in a solvent.

Microbial Action

The role of microorganisms in the decomposition of organic matter.

Water Stratification

The layering of water in lakes, affecting its chemistry and biology.

Thermal Stratification

Separation of water layers in lakes due to temperature differences.

Pollutants

Substances that contaminate water and significantly affect its quality.