Evironmental Science Chapter 14 - Water Resources (chunky version)

chunky flashcard set

aquifer

A body of rock or sediment that stores groundwater and allows the flow of groundwater.

cultural eutrophication

the pollution of a body of water as a result of human activity

also called artificial eutrophication

dam

an obstruction placed in a river or stream to blocks its flow

desalination

the process of removing salt from seawater, also called desalinization

fresh water

relatively pure water

water with few dissolved salts

groundwater

fresh water found below Earth's surface

impermeable

not allowing water or other substances to pass through

nonpoint-source pollution

pollution that comes from many places over a large area

pathogen

a disease-causing organism

algal bloom

the rapid growth of algae in an area that can cover the surface of the water and block sunlight from reaching plants below

recharge zone

an area where surface water soaks into the ground and reaches an aquifer

reservoir

an artificial lake where water for human use is stored

river system

a network of connection streams and rivers

runoff

water that flows over land and collects in a stream or river

salinization

the buildup of salts in the surface layers of soil

water diversion

the process of moving water from its source to places where humans can use it (e.g. homes and farm fields)

water table

the boundary between the zone of aeration and the zone of saturation in an aquifer

watershed

all of the land area that supplies water to a particular river system

well

a channel dug into an aquifer to reach groundwater

wastewater

water that has been used in households, businesses, industries, or public facilities and drained or flushed down the pipes, as well as the polluted runoff from streets and storm drains

surface water

water found on earth's surface

reservoirs

large lakes that store water for human use

The Clean Water Act

makes the release of point source pollution illegal without a permit and gave EPA ability to restrict or regulate types of pollution

xeriscaping

a method of landscaping that uses plants that are well adapted to the local area and are drought resistant.

point source water pollution

a single localized source of water pollution

Permeability

the ability for water to flow through sediment

Porosity

how much space in between sediment

Saturation Zone

the area in the ground where water fills all the pores between sediment

What happened to the Aral Sea?

Diminished 1/10 of its size

What percentage of Las Vegas's water supply is used for aesthetic features along the famous Las Vegas Strip?

3%

What is so special about Lake Mead?

It is the biggest water supply in the United States

How is Lake Mead related to water supply and usage in Las Vegas?

Las Vegas uses Lake Mead for its water supply (no water will be left)

How much river elevation is the Colorado River losing each year?

10 ft

How is the Colorado River related to operations of the Hoover Dam?

Related to Hoover Dam by the power plant

How is the city of Las Vegas proposing to fix their impending problem with water shortage?

Taking water form towns that need it by building water systems with tubes

What large scale process is responsible for "renewing" our water resources?

Hydrologic cycle (water cycle)

What percentage of food consumed by the USA is produced in the Central Valley of California?

25%

What changed for the Central Valley in terms of its water availability?

Water availability decreased so water for agriculture decreased = less food production

What sector is the biggest user of water in the Central Valley?

Farming aka agriculture = 80%

Where does this sector largely get its water supply?

Getting water form groundwater through wells and aquifers

What is generally happening to the water cycle and what is the impact of the change?

Water cycle is intensifying - Extreme droughts - Extreme weather effects

What is the single greatest source of water use in the home? What is the solution?

• Toilets - Solution = get toilets that are water efficient

How many times was the Clean Water Act been violated from 2004-2009?

A half a million times

What is atrazine? What is an endocrine disruptor and how is this related to amphibian development?

• Herbicide and weed killer = pesticide - Anything that interacts with hormone secretion - Amphibians wont make enough testosterone and will make estrogen (turn into females)

How is the development of amphibians and humans similar and why is this significant?

Estrogen that amphibians and humans have are the same so it can be tested on amphibians to see how it would effect humans

How does atrazine affect human health?

Causes cancer and birth defects

What level of atrazine is known to be harmful to amphibians? How does this relate to EPA standards for atrazine (based on human health)?

• 1 parts per billion - 3 parts per billion ok to drink

What is the precautionary principle? Is the principle followed in the USA?

• Manufactures have to prove the compounds used are good - US measures if it is bad and if it is bad the results get thrown away

What are endocrine disruptors?

Chemicals that interfere with the endocrine (hormone) system

What is the concern with atrazine as an endocrine disruptor?

It mimics hormones and can alter development, especially in amphibians and possibly humans

What role does the EPA play in regulating water contaminants like atrazine?

They set safety limits and standards for allowable levels in drinking water

What does the hydrologic (water) cycle do?

Moves and recycles water through different parts of the Earth (atmosphere, ground, surface water)

How is climate change impacting the water cycle?

It is intensifying the cycle, causing more extreme droughts and floods

What is happening to groundwater in many areas due to overuse?

It is being depleted faster than it can recharge

What is an aquifer?

An underground layer of water-bearing rock or material

What is groundwater recharge?

The process by which water seeps into the ground to refill an aquifer

What are some problems with bottled water?

Plastic pollution, cost, and less regulation compared to tap water

What percentage of the human body is water?

Around 60%

Why is water a polar molecule?

Because it has a positive and a negative end due to uneven sharing of electrons

What property of water allows it to stick to itself?

Cohesion

What property of water allows it to stick to other surfaces?

Adhesion

Why does ice float on water?

Because solid water (ice) is less dense than liquid water

What is surface tension?

A "skin" on the surface of water caused by cohesive forces

What is capillary action?

The movement of water up narrow tubes, helped by cohesion and adhesion

What is the universal solvent?

Water, because it can dissolve more substances than any other liquid

What is the water table?

The upper surface of groundwater where the soil is fully saturated

What is a watershed?

An area of land where all water drains to a common outlet (like a river or bay)

How can human activities negatively affect watersheds?

Pollution, deforestation, urban runoff, overuse of water

How does urbanization affect infiltration and runoff?

Urban surfaces reduce infiltration and increase runoff, causing floods and pollution

What is infiltration?

The process by which water on the ground enters the soil

What is runoff?

Water that flows over land surfaces into bodies of water instead of soaking in

What is desalination?

The process of removing salt from seawater to make it drinkable

What is a dam?

A barrier built to control or store the flow of water

What is a reservoir?

A man-made lake used to store water for various uses

What is point-source pollution?

Pollution that comes from a specific, identifiable location

What is nonpoint-source pollution?

Pollution that comes from many diffuse sources

What is wastewater?

Used water from homes, businesses, or industries that needs to be treated

What is cultural eutrophication?

Nutrient pollution from human activities that leads to algal blooms in water

What is an algal bloom?

Rapid growth of algae that can block sunlight and reduce oxygen in water

What is groundwater?

Water that fills cracks and spaces in underground soil and rock

What are artesian wells?

Wells where water flows to the surface without pumping due to pressure

What is a confined aquifer?

An aquifer trapped between layers of impermeable rock

What is an unconfined aquifer?

An aquifer with no confining layer above it, allowing easy recharge and pollution

What is ground subsidence?

Sinking of the land due to excessive groundwater removal

What is the cone of depression?

A drop in the water table around a pumped well

What is porosity?

The amount of space in soil or rock that can hold water

What is permeability?

The ability of soil or rock to allow water to pass through

What is xeriscaping?

A landscaping method using drought-resistant plants to conserve water

What is the water table?

The upper level of saturated soil where all pores are filled with water

What is the zone of saturation?

The area below ground where all pores are filled with water

What is the zone of aeration?

The area above the water table where soil pores contain air and water

What is a spring?

A natural discharge of groundwater where the water table meets the surface

What is a recharge zone?

An area where water infiltrates and replenishes an aquifer

What is infiltration?

The process by which water enters the ground and becomes groundwater

What percentage of Earth's water is fresh?

About 3%, and most of it is frozen

How much of Earth is covered with water?

About 70%

What is the largest watershed in the U.S.?

The Mississippi River watershed

What watershed is Bloomer, WI part of?

Upper Mississippi watershed