Water Pollution Part-2

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary terms related to water pollution, their definitions, and relevant concepts as discussed in the lecture notes.

Thermal Pollution

The discharge of warm water into a river or lake, which adversely affects oxygen levels and aquatic life.

BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand)

The amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in a water sample.

COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand)

The amount of oxygen required to chemically oxidize organic and inorganic matter in water.

Soil Erosion

The natural movement of soil particles by wind or water from one location to another, which can lead to water pollution.

Eutrophication

The process where water bodies become overly enriched with nutrients, often leading to excessive growth of algae.

Stream Pollution

The contamination of streams and rivers by pollutants which can degrade water quality and harm aquatic life.

Self-purification

The natural ability of streams and rivers to recover from pollution without significant environmental damage.

Groundwater Pollution

Contamination of underground water sources, primarily from improper waste disposal and chemical spills.

Nutrient Enrichment

The accumulation of nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen in water bodies, which can lead to algal blooms.

Organic Matter

Substances that contain carbon and can decompose, playing a significant role in the oxygen demand of water.