Chapter 4 Key Terms Flashcards
Surface Water
water that collects on the surface of the ground
River System
the patterns formed by the streams, rivers, and lakes in a particular drainage basin
Watershed
an area or ridge of land that separates waters flowing to different rivers, basins, or seas
Ground Water
water held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices in rock
Aquifer
a body of permeable rock which can contain or transmit groundwater
Porosity
a measure of the void spaces in a material
Permeability
the state or quality of a material or membrane that causes it to allow liquids or gases to pass through it
Recharge Zone
The area in which water enters an aquifer
Potable
Safe to drink
Pathogen
a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease
Dam
a barrier constructed to hold back water and raise its level, forming a reservoir used to generate electricity or as a water supply
Reservior
a large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply
Desalination
the process of removing salt from seawater
Water Pollution
the contamination of water bodies, usually as a result of human activities
Point source pollution
single identifiable source of air, water, thermal, noise or light pollution
