4. Water World Flashcards
Aquifer
An underground store of water, formed when water-bearing (permeable) rocks lie on top of impermeable rocks
Groundwater
Water contained beneath the surface, as a reserve
Hydrological cycle
The global stores of water and linking process that connect them
Impermeable
Not allowing water to pass through
Infiltration
The process whereby water soaks into the soil and rock
Intermediate Technology
A technology that the local community is able to use relatively easily and without much cost
Lines of weakness in a rock that water can pass along
Joints
When water is being used more quickly than it is being replaced (too much water is taken out of the water cycle)
Over abstraction
Allowing water to pass through
Permeable
The presence of chemicals, noise, dirt or substances which have harmful or poisonous effects on an environment
Pollution
Small air spaces round in a rock or other material that can also be filled with water
Pores
Precipitation
When moisture falls from the atmosphere – as rain, hail, sleet or snow
Regulated Flow
The steady movement of water through a drainage basin that will not bring flash flooding
River Pollution
The emission of harmful or poisonous substances into river water
Throughflow
Water that flows slowly through the soil until it reaches a river
Water harvesting
Storing rainwater or used water (grey water) for use in periods of drought
Programmes to control rivers, generally organised by local or central government
Water management schemes
A build-up of water that has collected on or below the ground, or in the atmosphere
Water store
The level in the soil or bedrock below which water is usually present
Water Table
Occurs when the demand for water exceeds the amount available during a certain period, or when it is not good enough quality to use
Water stress
