APES Study Guide Unit 7 - Water Resources & Water Pollution

A set of flashcards created to help review key concepts related to water resources and water pollution.

What is a riparian zone?

A natural area along streams or rivers lined by lush vegetation.

What does turbidity refer to in water?

Clouded water due to increased algae and sediment.

What defines water hardness?

Water with increased amounts of dissolved calcium or magnesium.

What is dissolved oxygen (DO)?

The amount of oxygen present in water.

What does biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) measure?

The amount of oxygen a quantity of water uses over time at a specific temperature.

What are algal blooms?

Rapid increase of algae in a body of water.

What does hypoxia mean?

Low levels of dissolved oxygen in water.

What is an oxygen sag curve?

The relationship of oxygen concentration to the distance from a point source of decomposing sewage or other pollutants.

What are phytoplankton?

Floating algae.

What is the role of mangrove forests?

They protect against coastal erosion from storms and serve as habitats for many animals.

Why are floodplains particularly good for agriculture?

Frequent deposition of silt makes floodplains very fertile.

What impact does logging have on a watershed?

Increased erosion and runoff of nutrients and sediments due to the removal of trees.

How do fertilizers impact bodies of water?

They can overload nutrients, causing algal blooms that use up dissolved oxygen.

What are point sources of water pollution?

Distinct locations where pollution is produced, such as sewage pipes.

What are nonpoint sources of water pollution?

Areas that diffuse pollution, such as runoff.

What causes cultural eutrophication?

Increased fertility of a body of water due to anthropogenic nutrient inputs.

What is the primary biological source of oxygen in the ocean?

Phytoplankton and other aquatic plants.

What are the different zones of a lake?

Littoral zone, limnetic zone, profundal zone, benthic zone.

What factors contribute to the dead zones in aquatic environments?

Excessive nutrients leading to algal blooms and depletion of dissolved oxygen.

What are the steps in the wastewater treatment process?

Bar screen, grit-settling tank, activated-sludge tank, chlorination tank, ultraviolet-light array.

Why is thermal pollution harmful to aquatic life?

It raises water temperature, reduces dissolved oxygen levels, and can suffocate fish.

What are the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act?

Legislation for protecting surface waters and setting national drinking water standards.

How can different land uses affect water quality?

Various land uses can introduce pollutants and change the physical characteristics of water bodies.