Enviro Water Unit Test

Evaporation

Liquid water turns into water vapor

Condensation

Water vapor cools and forms liquid droplets (clouds)

Precipitation

Water falls from the atmosphere as rain, snow, sleet, or hail

Infiltration

Water soaks into the ground

Percolation

Water moves downward through soil and rock

Runoff

Water flows over land into rivers, lakes, and oceans

Transpiration

Plants release water vapor into the air

Watershed

An area of land that drains water into a specific body of water

Divide

Elevated land that separates watersheds

Human impact on watersheds

Pollution, urbanization, deforestation, and dams alter water flow and quality

Point source pollution

Pollution from a single identifiable source (like a pipe or factory)

Nonpoint source pollution

Pollution from many diffuse sources (like runoff from farms or roads)

Pathogens

Disease

Nutrient pollution

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus causing algal blooms

Toxic chemicals

Harmful substances like pesticides and heavy metals

Sediment pollution

Soil particles in water that reduce clarity and harm habitats

Thermal pollution

Temperature changes in water that stress organisms

Oxygen

demanding waste

Sources of nutrient pollution

Fertilizers, sewage, and animal waste

Eutrophication

Nutrients cause algae growth, which leads to oxygen depletion

Hypoxia

Low oxygen levels in water that create dead zones

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Amount of oxygen needed to break down organic matter

High BOD

Leads to low dissolved oxygen

Oxygen sag curve zones

Clean zone, decomposition zone, septic zone, recovery zone, clean zone

Tolerant species

Species that can survive in polluted water

Intolerant species

Species that require clean water

Physical wastewater treatment

Removal of solids through screening and settling

Chemical wastewater treatment

Use of chemicals like chlorine to disinfect water

Biological wastewater treatment

Bacteria break down organic waste

Unconfined aquifer

Aquifer open to the surface

Confined aquifer

Aquifer trapped between impermeable layers

Artesian well

Water flows naturally due to pressure

Water table

The top of the saturated zone

Zone of saturation

Area where all pores are filled with water

Zone of aeration

Area with both air and water in pores

Cone of depression

Lowering of the water table due to pumping

Groundwater plume

Spread of contamination through groundwater

Clean Water Act

Law that regulates water pollution and protects water quality

Bottled water pros

Convenient and portable

Bottled water cons

Expensive and creates plastic waste

Tap water pros

Inexpensive and regulated

Tap water cons

May have taste or infrastructure issues

Microplastics

Tiny plastic particles found in water

Sources of microplastics

Breakdown of plastics, clothing fibers, and products

Why microplastics are concerning

They enter the food chain and may harm health

Invasive species

Non

Examples of invasive species

Zebra mussels, Asian carp, sea lamprey

Effects of invasive species

Outcompete native species and damage ecosystems

Freshwater availability

Very limited for human use

Why water is scarce

Uneven distribution, pollution, and overuse

Wetlands impact

Filter pollutants and reduce flooding