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freshwater resources
ch 15 environmental science
Question | Answer |
---|---|
fresh water | water that is relatively pure, with few dissolved salts. |
floodplain | areas nearest a river's course that are flooded periodically |
wetlands | systems that combine elements of freshwater and dry land |
groundwater | rainfall that percolated downward through the soil. makes up 1/5 of Earth's freshwater. |
aquifers | spongelike formation of rock, sand, or gravel that holds water. |
confined aquifer or artesian aquifer | exists when a water-bearing porous layer of rock sand, or gravel is trapped between upper and lower layers of less permeable substrate |
unconfined aquifer | has no thick upper layer to confine it, so its water is under less pressure and can be readily recharged by surface water. |
consumptive use | the act of removing water from an aquifer or surface water body and not returning it. |
nonconsumptive use | temporarily removes water from an aquifer or surface water body. |
dam | any obstruction placed in a river or stream to block the flow of water so that water can be stored in a reservoir. |
sinkholes | areas where the ground gives way with little warning |
desalination | the removal of salt from sea water or other water of marginal quality |
pollution | the release of matter or energy into the environment that causes undesirable impacts on the health and well-being of humans or other organisms. |
Oligotrophic water body | new body of water with clear water, low nutrients, and a high amount of oxygen |
Eutrophic water body | older body of water. Less oxygen and high nutrient content |
point source | discrete locations of water pollution, such as a factory or sewer pipe. |
non-point-source | pollution arises from multiple cumulative inputs over larger areas, such as farms, city streets, and residential areas. |
septic systems | wastewater runs from the house to an underground septic tank, inside which solids and oil separates from the water. |
primary treatment | physical removal of contaminants in settling tanks or clarifiers, generally removes about 60% of suspended solids from wastewater. |
secondary treatment | water is stirred and aerated so that aerobic bacteria degrade organic pollutants |
freshwater marshes | shallow water that allows plants to grow above the water surface |
swamps | shallow water rich in vegetation, occur in forested areas. |
bogs | ponds thoroughly covered with thick floating mats of vegetation, and can represent a stage in aquatic succession. |
littoral zone | region ringing the edge of a water body |
benthic zone | extends along the bottom of the entire water body, from shore to deepest point |
limnetic zone | the open portion of a lake or pond, away from the shore, sunlight penetrates shallow waters |
profundal zone | the volume of open water that sunlight doesnt reach. under the limnetic zone. |
benefits of dams | power generation, hydroelectric power produces no greenhouse gas, crop irrigations, drinking water, shipping , and recreational opportunities. |
costs of dams | habitat alteration, fisheries decline, population displacement, sediment capture, disruption of flooding, rick of failure, and lost of recreational opportunities. |
dikes and levees | built by governments and individuals to protect against floods along the banks of rivers to hold rising waters. |
solutions to depletion of fresh water | reduce demand with conservation and efficiency measures, desalination, agriculture demand can be reduced,and lessen residential and industrial water use. |