Water Resources and Pollution Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to freshwater depletion solutions and types of water pollution.

Desalination

The process of removing salt from saltwater to increase freshwater supply.

Xeriscaping

A personal water conservation practice used to decrease water demand.

Point-source pollution

Pollution that comes from a discrete location, such as a factory or sewage pipe.

Nonpoint-source pollution

Pollution that comes from many places spread over a large area.

Nutrient Pollution

Pollution caused by too much phosphorus and nitrogen in water, leading to eutrophication.

Eutrophication

A process where nutrients build up in water, causing algae growth to increase, organisms to die, decomposition to require oxygen, and dissolved oxygen levels to decrease.

Toxic Chemical Pollution

Pollution that occurs when harmful chemicals are released into waterways, harming ecosystems and human health.

Sediment Pollution

Pollution caused by large amounts of sediment that affects aquatic life and habitat by blocking light and smothering organisms.

Thermal Pollution

Pollution occurring when heated water holds less oxygen.

Biological Pollution

Pollution occurring when pathogens enter a waterway, causing bacterial health problems, which can be reduced by treatment.

Groundwater Pollution

Pollution coming from natural sources, agricultural chemicals leaching soils, or leaky underground structures, which is harder to clean because chemicals break down more slowly than in surface water.