Water Usage and Management

These flashcards cover key vocabulary relating to water usage, irrigation methods, environmental justice, and technologies related to water management.

Agriculture

The largest user of water around the world, consuming 70% of freshwater.

Irrigation Techniques

Methods used to supply water to crops; includes flood, furrow, spray, and drip irrigation.

Flood Irrigation

An irrigation technique where the entire field is flooded with water for even soaking.

Furrow Irrigation

An older irrigation method involving trenches flooded with water; often inefficient.

Spray Irrigation

An irrigation technique that sprays water across fields, with efficiency between 75-95%.

Drip Irrigation

A highly efficient irrigation method that uses slow dripping hoses to deliver water.

Waterlogging

Condition where soil is under water for prolonged periods, affecting root oxygen availability.

Salinization

The accumulation of salts in the soil due to evaporation, inhibiting plant growth.

Hydroponic Agriculture

A method of growing crops in fertilized water, using 95% less water than traditional methods.

Levees

An enlarged bank built on river sides to block floods and protect land.

Dikes

Structures similar to levees, designed to prevent ocean waters from flooding land.

Dams

Barriers built across rivers to control water flow and create reservoirs.

Reservoir

A water body created by damming a river, used for human consumption, electricity, and recreation.

Aqueducts

Canals or ditches designed to transport water from one location to another.

Desalination

The process of removing salt from seawater to produce fresh water.

Distillation

A method of desalination where water is boiled, and steam is condensed to remove salt.

Reverse Osmosis

A desalination technique that forces water through a semi-permeable membrane to remove salt.

Environmental Justice

Concern for equitable access to water, particularly in areas facing water scarcity.

Erosion

The process of soil and sediment loss, often exacerbated by water diversion methods.

Thermoelectric Plant

A facility that uses heat to generate electricity, consuming large amounts of water.

Cooling Towers

Structures used to dissipate heat from thermoelectric plants, returning some water to the source.

Household Water Use

Refers to the domestic consumption of water, which accounts for 10% of freshwater use.

Water Diversion Methods

Techniques used to manage and modify the natural flow and availability of water.

Hydroelectric Dam

A structure that generates electricity by using the flow of water from rivers.

Political Issues of Water Sharing

Conflicts and challenges that arise when multiple regions share water from the same source.

Water Scarcity

A condition where water availability is substantially below the amount required for consumption.

Freshwater Availability

Measured in cubic meters per capita per year, indicating how much fresh water is accessible.

Aqueduct Concerns

Issues related to water quality and distribution caused by the construction of aqueducts.