EnvioBio 24 NOT DONE

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to freshwater as a resource, as outlined in the lecture notes.

Freshwater

Water with low concentrations of dissolved salts, essential for human consumption and agriculture.

Water Footprint

The total volume of freshwater used to produce goods and services, including both direct and indirect water consumption.

Desalination

The process of removing dissolved salts from saltwater to produce freshwater.

Overuse of Freshwater

When water consumption exceeds the sustainable limit, leading to depletion and environmental degradation.

Irrigation

The application of controlled amounts of water to plants at needed intervals.

Virtual Water Footprint

The amount of water embedded in the production and trade of goods, including both direct and indirect water use.

Hydroelectricity

Electricity produced from hydropower, which involves the generation of power by using the flow of water.

Pollution

The introduction of harmful substances or products into the environment, negatively affecting water quality.

Eutrophication

Nutrient enrichment of water bodies, often leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen.

Surface Water

Water that collects on the surface of the ground, including rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Groundwater

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

Aquatic Environments

Ecosystems located in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.

Climate Change

Long-term alterations in temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions, impacting freshwater availability.

Invasive Species

Non-native species that spread widely in a new habitat, causing ecological harm.

Freshwater Resources

Sources of freshwater available for use, including rivers, lakes, and aquifers.

Water Scarcity

The lack of sufficient available water resources to meet the demands of water usage within a region.

Water Quality

The chemical, physical, biological, and radiological characteristics of water.

E. coli

A type of bacteria that can indicate fecal contamination in water supplies.

Municipal Water Supply

Water supply provided by local authorities for domestic use.

Agricultural Water Use

Water utilized for irrigation and sustaining crops.