Water Pollution Vocab

Water pollution

Waste or other material is added to water so that it is harmful to organisms that use it or live in it

Point-source pollution

Water pollution that comes from one specific site

Nonpoint-source pollution

Water pollution that comes from small sources and is more difficult to control

Thermal pollution

Heating of natural water that results from human activity

Eutrophication

An increase of nutrients in water

Potable

Water that is suitable to drink

Reservoir

A body of water that usually forms behind a dam

Urbanization

The growth of towns and cities that results from the movement of people from rural areas to urban areas

Surface Water

Any body of water above the ground

Groundwater

Water that seeps below the surface

Aquifer

A body of rock or sediment that can store a lot of water, and that allows water to flow easily through it

Pores

Space in between aquifers, rocks, and sediment

Permafrost

Water that is frozen in a layer of soil

Water Quality

The measure of how clean or polluted water is

Water Supply

The availability of water

Water Supply Systems

Water carried from groundwater or surface water so people can use it

Chemical Pollution

Harmful chemicals are added to water supplies

Acid Rain

A form of chemical pollution. Forms when gases formed by burning fossil fuels and water in the air

Biological Pollution

Live or dead organisms are added to water supplies

Waste Water

Any water that has been used by people for such things as flushing toilets, showering, or washing dishes

Artificical Eutrophication

Human activity increases nutrient levels in water

Flocculation

A process that removes chemicals and cleans water

Aqueducts or Canals

A pipeline or artificial channel

Subside

When aquifer waters collapse

Saltwater Intrusion

When seawater seeps into an aquifer