Environmental Science for AP - Friedland and Relyea Chapter 9

Aquifers

Permeable layers of rock and sediment that contain groundwater in many small spaces.

Unconfined Aquifer

Aquifers made of porous rock covered by soil out of which water can easily flow. Rapidly recharges groundwater.

Confined Aquifer

Aquifers surrounded by a layer of impermeable rock or clay that impedes water flow

Water Table

Uppermost aquifer layer where water fully saturates the rock or soil.

Groundwater Recharge

Water from precipitation percolates through soil and into aquifer. If confined, can't recharge.

Springs

Water from some aquifers naturally comes up, natural source of freshwater

Artesian Wells

Drilled hole in a confined aquifer releases pressure and pushes water up.

Cone of Depression

Area where there's no longer any groundwater, caused by well overuse, eventually will go dry.

Saltwater intrusion

Lessened pressure from over-pumping so salt water infiltrates and makes well water salty.

Floodplain

Land adjacent to river where excess water spreads onto.

Oligotrophic

Lakes with low productivity because of little nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen.

Mesotrophic

Lakes with moderate levels of productivity

Eutrophic

Lakes with high levels of productivity

Impermeable Surfaces

Pavement, buildings, etc. Doesn't allow water penetration, water then runs into sewers and streams. Excess water causes floods.

Levee

Enlarged bank on each side of river to prevent flooding

Dikes

Similar to levees but to prevent ocean waters from flooding coasts that are under sea level.

Dam

Barrier that runs across a river/stream to control water flow

Reservoir

Large body of water stored behind a dam. Held for consumption, generating electricity, flood control, or recreation.

Fish Ladders

Sets of stairs with water flowing over them to have fish migrate despite dams.

Aqueducts

Canals or ditches used to carry water between locations. Transports water to dry areas. Can alter food webs.

Desalination

Removes salt from salt water to make fresh water.

Distillation

Desalination method. Seawater flows in, heated to create steam, cool seawater in condensing coil causes steam to condense. Brine and fresh water then flows out.

Reverse Osmosis

Desalination method. Seawater flows in, pressure applied, water goes through semipermeable membrane, salt can't. Water and brine flows out.

Hydroponic Agriculture

Cultivation under greenhouse conditions with roots in nutrient rich solution, and not soil.

#1 form of usable water on earth

groundwater

Ogallala Aquifer

Largest aquifer in U.S.

North Africa and Middle East

Regions with lowest amounts of available fresh water

Water footprint

Total daily per capita use of fresh water

Furrow

Trench is flooded with water-Least expensive, most wasteful and easiest type of irrigation

Flood

Entire field flooded with water-similar to furrow type of irrigation

Spray

irrigation method that involves an apparatus spraying water across a field-doesn't evaporate as easily

Drip

irrigation type in which a slow dripping hose is laid on or buried beneath the soil-most expensive & efficient, least amount of water loss

Industrial water use purposes

Generating electricity, cooling machinery, refining metals, making paper

Gray water

wastewater from bathtubs, showers, bathrooms, and washing machines

Contaminated water

wastewater from toilets, sinks and dishwashers

Top three uses of water

Agriculture-70%, industrial-20% and household-10%