Chapter 9 Vocab

Question 1

aquifer

Answer 1

an underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock or unconsolidated materials (gravel, sand, or silt) from which groundwater can be extracted

Question 2

unconfined aquifer

Answer 2

an aquifer made up of porous rock covered by soil through which water can easily flow in and out of

Question 3

confined aquifer

Answer 3

an aquifer surrounded by a layer of impermeable rock or clay, which impedes water flow to or from the aquifer

Question 4

water table

Answer 4

The uppermost level at which the water in a given area fully saturates the rock or soil

Question 5

groundwater recharge

Answer 5

in a confined aquifer, an opening at the land’s surface of the impermeable layer that allows water to flow in

Question 6

spring

Answer 6

Water from some aquifers naturally comes up, natural source of freshwater

Question 7

artesian well

Answer 7

groundwater under pressure, flows out easily, no pump required

Question 8

cone of depression

Answer 8

an area where there is no longer any groundwater

Question 9

saltwater intrusion

Answer 9

a common problem in coastal areas, this process is the movement of saline water into freshwater aquifers, which can lead to contamination of drinking water sources and other consequences. It occurs naturally to some degree in most coastal aquifers, owing to the hydraulic connection between groundwater and seawater. Because saltwater has a higher mineral content than freshwater, it is denser and has a higher water pressure. As a result, saltwater can push inland beneath the freshwater

Question 10

floodplain

Answer 10

an area of land adjacent to a stream or river that stretches from the banks of its channel to the base of the enclosing valley walls and experiences flooding during periods of high discharge. It includes the floodway, which consists of the stream channel and adjacent areas that actively carry flood flows downstream, and the flood fringe, which are areas inundated by the flood, but which do not experience a strong current. In other words, a floodplain is an area near a river or a stream which floods when the water level reaches flood stage.

Question 11

impermeable surface

Answer 11

pavement or buildings that do not allow water penetration

Question 12

levee

Answer 12

an enlarged bank built up on each side of a river to prevent flooding

Question 13

dike

Answer 13

man made banks to prevent overflow of ocean water

Question 14

dam

Answer 14

a barrier that funs across a river to control the flow of the water

Question 15

reservoir

Answer 15

water storage area behind a dam

Question 16

fish ladder

Answer 16

built to allow migrating fish species to climb the face of a dam

Question 17

aqueduct

Answer 17

a canal or ditch used to transport water from one location to another

Question 18

desalination

Answer 18

the removal of salt from salt water-a method of obtaining fresh water by water-poor countries. Two methods are distillation or reverse osmosis

Question 19

reverse osmosis

Answer 19

a method of desalination that uses pressure to force pure water through a semipermeable membrane, leaving the salt behind

Question 20

water footprint

Answer 20

Total daily per capita use of fresh water

Question 21

hydroponic agriculture

Answer 21

plants grow in water without soil

Question 22

tiered water-pricing systems

Answer 22

a system in which the required amount of needed water costs very little, however increases of water use cost increasingly more money

Question 23

xeriscaping

Answer 23

a method of landscaping that uses plants that are well adapted to the local area and are drought resistant; reduces water use by 30-85% and sharply reduces needs for labor, fertilizer, and fuel

Question 24

gray water

Answer 24

waste water from baths, showers, bathroom sinks and washing machines

Question 25

contaminated water

Answer 25

wastewater from toilets, sinks and dishwashers