Chapter 14 Vocab Flashcards
water pollution
The contamination of streams, rivers, lakes, oceans, or groundwater with substances produced through human activities
wastewater
Water produced by human activities including human sewage from toilets and gray water from bathing and washing of clothes and dishes.
point source
A distinct location from which pollution is directly produced.
nonpoint source
A diffuse area that produces pollution.
biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
The amount of oxygen a quantity of water uses over a period of time at specific temperatures.
eutrophication
A phenomenon in which a body of water becomes rich in nutrients.
cultural eutrophication
An increase in fertility in a body of water, the result of anthropogenic inputs of nutrients.
indicator species
An increase in fertility in a body of water, the result of anthropogenic inputs of nutrients.
fecal coliform bacteria
A group of microorganisms in the human intestines that can serve as an indicator species for potentially harmful microorganisms associated with contamination by sewage.
septic system
A relatively small and simple sewage treatment system, made up of a septic tank and a leach field, often used for homes in rural areas.
septic tank
A large container that receives wastewater from a house as part of a septic system.
sludge
Solid waste material from wastewater.
septage
the middle layer of fairly clear water (often in a septic tank), contains large quantities of bacteria and may also contain pathogenic organisms and inorganic nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous.
leach field
The ground area around a septic tank through which waste waters filters after leaving the tank
manure lagoon
Human-made ponds lined with rubber built to handle large quantities of manure produced by livestock.
acid deposition
Human-made ponds lined with rubber built to handle large quantities of manure produced by livestock.
perchlorates
A group of harmful chemicals used for rocket fuel.
poly chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
synthetic chemicals containing chlorine that are used in the manufacture of plastics and other industrial products, become stored in the tissue of animals, and also persist in the environment
thermal pollution
Human-made ponds lined with rubber built to handle large quantities of manure produced by livestock.
thermal shock
A dramatic change in water temperature that can kill organisms.
clean water act
Legislation that was created in 1948 and then hugely expanded in 1972. It sets maximum permissible amounts of water pollutants that can be discharged into waterways. Aim: to make surface waters swimmable and fishable
safe drinking water act
1974- set maximum contaminant levels for pollutants in drinking water that may have adverse effects on human health
maximum contaminant level (MCL)
The standard for safe drinking water established by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
