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Aquatic Science U4
Watersheds
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Watershed | An area of land where all water drains to the same body of water. |
| Drainage Basin | Another name for a watershed; land that drains to a common outlet. |
| Precipitation | Water that falls from the atmosphere as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. |
| Surface Water | Water found on Earth's surface in rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, and wetlands. |
| Groundwater | Water stored below Earth's surface in spaces within soil and rock. |
| Rivers and Streams | Flowing bodies of surface water that move water through a watershed. |
| Lakes and Ponds | Inland bodies of standing surface water. |
| Wetlands | Areas where water covers or saturates the soil for part or all of the year. |
| Estuaries | Coastal areas where freshwater mixes with saltwater. |
| Floodplains | Low-lying areas beside rivers or streams that naturally flood. |
| Springs | Places where groundwater naturally flows onto Earth's surface. |
| Runoff | Water that flows over the land surface instead of soaking into the ground. |
| Aquifers | Layers of permeable rock or sediment that store and transmit groundwater. |
| Water Table | The upper surface of the saturated groundwater zone. |
| Wells | Holes drilled or dug into the ground to access groundwater. |
| Infiltration | The process of water soaking into the ground from the surface. |
| Percolation | The downward movement of water through soil and rock. |
| Discharge | The movement or release of water out of a groundwater or surface-water system. |
| Flow | The movement of water through a watershed or water system. |
| Topography | The shape and elevation of land, which influence how water moves. |
| Porosity | The amount of open space in rock or sediment that can hold water. |
| Hydrology | The study of water, including its movement, distribution, and properties. |
| Water Inputs | Water entering a watershed or storage system, such as precipitation or groundwater inflow. |
| Water Outputs | Water leaving a watershed or storage system through runoff, evaporation, discharge, or human use. |
| Storage Capacity | The amount of water a system can hold. |
| Positive Net Balance / Accumulation | When water inputs are greater than outputs, causing stored water to increase. |
| Negative Net Balance / Depletion | When water outputs are greater than inputs, causing stored water to decrease. |
| Temperature | A measure of how hot or cold water is; it can affect aquatic organisms and dissolved oxygen. |
| Turbidity | A measure of how cloudy water is because of suspended particles. |
| Electrical Conductivity | A measure of how well water conducts electricity because of dissolved ions. |
| pH | A measure of how acidic or basic water is. |
| Dissolved Oxygen | Oxygen gas dissolved in water that aquatic organisms use for respiration. |
| Ammonia | A nitrogen-containing substance from waste or decomposition that can harm aquatic life at high levels. |
| Nitrate | A form of nitrogen used by plants that can contribute to nutrient pollution when present in excess. |
| Bacterial Testing | Testing water for bacteria or bacterial indicators to evaluate possible contamination. |
| Heavy Metals | Metal elements such as lead or mercury that can become harmful water contaminants. |
| Pesticides | Chemicals used to control pests that can enter water through runoff or spills. |
| Industrial Pollutants | Contaminants released from industrial processes or facilities. |
| Pollution Tolerant Species | Organisms able to survive in lower-quality or more polluted water. |
| Domestic | Water use associated with homes, such as drinking, cooking, cleaning, and bathing. |
| Agricultural | Water use associated with growing crops and raising livestock. |
| Industrial | Water use associated with manufacturing, processing, cooling, and other industrial activities. |
| Recreational | Water use associated with activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, and recreation. |
| Municipal | Water supplied and managed by a city or community for homes, businesses, and public services. |
| Irrigation | The artificial application of water to crops, lawns, or other plants. |
| Aquaculture | The farming or raising of aquatic organisms such as fish or shellfish. |
| Clean Water Act | A U.S. law that regulates many pollutant discharges and protects surface-water quality. |
| Effluent | Wastewater or treated water discharged from a facility into the environment. |
| EPA | The Environmental Protection Agency, the federal agency responsible for administering many environmental laws and regulations. |
| Cost/Benefit Analysis | A comparison of the advantages of an action or policy with its costs and tradeoffs. |
Created by:
andrewpiraino