CEE 4505 Water Quality Review

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to water quality issues, regulations, and ecosystem dynamics essential for CEE 4505.

Surface Waters

Water bodies that are open to the atmosphere, including rivers, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs.

Water Quality Impairments

Conditions that prevent water from meeting standards for its designated uses.

Point Sources of Pollution

Single, identifiable sources of pollution, such as a discharge pipe from a factory.

Non-Point Sources of Pollution

Diffuse sources of pollution that cannot be traced to a single outlet, often related to runoff.

TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load)

The maximum amount of a pollutant allowed to enter a water body while still meeting water quality standards.

NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System)

A system regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States.

Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT)

The average time that water remains in a lake or reservoir.

Eutrophication

The process by which nutrients, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, accumulate in water bodies, leading to excessive growth of algae.

Euphotic Zone

The upper layer of a water body where there is sufficient light for photosynthesis.

Wetland

A land area that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, creating a distinct ecosystem.

DO Sag Curve

A graphical representation of how dissolved oxygen levels decline downstream of a pollution source and then recover.

Trophic State

The classification of water bodies based on biological productivity, typically categorized as oligotrophic, mesotrophic, or eutrophic.

Phosphorus Cycling

The movement of phosphorus through the environment, particularly in aquatic systems, influencing biological productivity.

Constructed Wetlands

Engineered systems designed to simulate natural wetland processes to treat wastewater.

Mitigation in Wetlands

Restoring or creating wetlands to compensate for the loss of natural wetlands due to development or other activities.

Oxygen Deficit

The difference between the amount of oxygen saturated in water and the actual amount present, indicating pollution or organic matter decomposition.