Freshwater Systems and Resources

Flashcards for vocabulary related to freshwater systems and resources.

Fresh water

Water that is relatively pure and free from salts; only 2.5% of Earth's water.

Hydraulic fracturing

Drilling of petroleum (shale oil) and natural gas (shale gas) within non-porous shale through the process of hydraulic fracturing is further exacerbating water issues.

Surface water

Water located atop Earth’s surface, such as in a river or lake.

Groundwater

Water beneath the surface that resides within pores in soil or rock.

Aquifers

Porous, spongelike formations of rock or sand that contain groundwater.

Water table

The upper border of an aquifer.

Recharge zone

Any area where water can infiltrate through the surface and reach an aquifer.

Ogallala Aquifer

The largest known aquifer, located under the Great Plains of the United States.

Runoff

Water that falls from the sky or melts from snow or a glacier that flows over a land surface.

Watershed

The area of land drained by a river system and all of its tributaries.

Braided River

A river that flows as an interconnected series of water courses.

Meandering Rivers

Rivers that are found in flatter regions and from larger and larger bends.

Oxbow Rivers

Meandering rivers that have the most exaggerated shape.

Floodplain

Areas near a river’s course that are flooded periodically.

Littoral zone

Shallow areas along the edges of lakes and ponds where aquatic plants can grow.

Benthic zone

The zone that extends along the bottom of lakes and ponds.

Limnetic zone

The upper layer of water in lakes and ponds that is shallow enough to receive sunlight and allow photosynthesis by phytoplankton.

Profundal zone

The zone between the benthic and limnetic zone in lakes and ponds that lacks photosynthesis.

Oligotrophic

Lakes and ponds that are low in nutrients and high in oxygen.

Eutrophic

High-nutrient, low-oxygen conditions in lakes and ponds.

Wetlands

Systems where the soil is saturated with water, often containing standing shallow water.

Vernal pools

Seasonal wetlands that form in the snowmelt of early spring and dry up later in the summer.

Consumptive use

Use of aquifers and surface waters where water is removed but not returned.

Nonconsumptive use

Use of water, such as with hydroelectric dams, that either does not remove or only temporarily removes water from a source.

Water mining

The withdrawal of water faster than it can be replenished.

Levees

Structures built along banks of waters to hold water in main channels.

Aqueducts

Structures that channel water from distant sources to cities or agricultural areas.

Dam

Any obstruction placed in a river or stream to block its flow.

Reservoirs

Artificial lakes created by dams that store water for human use.

Desalination

The removal of salt from seawater or other water.

Rainwater harvesting

The process of collecting rainwater with a rain barrel.

Gray water

The used water from showers and sinks; it can be used in some places for watering.

Xeriscaping

Landscaping using plants adapted to arid conditions.

Point sources

Discrete locations that release water pollution.

Non-point sources

Sources of pollution that arise from multiple inputs over large areas, such as farms, city streets, and residential neighborhoods.

Eutrophication

A process where nutrient pollution from fertilizers and other sources causes eutrophication and hypoxia in surface waters.

Thermal pollution

Transferring water for coolant in a factory or power plant then returning the warm water.

Biodegradable pollution

Human wastes, animal manure, pulp from paper mills, and yard waste.

Wastewater

Water affected by human activities and includes water from toilets, sinks, dishwashers, and washing machines.

Primary treatment

Physically removes contaminants in settling tanks or clarifiers.

Secondary treatment

Stirs and aerates wastewater so bacteria can naturally decompose the wastes in it.