unit 1 key terms Flashcards
watershed
area of land that drains into a body of water
watershed divide
boundary between 2 watersheds
subwatershed
smaller area of land within a larger watershed
a river might have several subwatersheds feeding into it
hydrologic cycle
water cycle
infiltration
water on the ground surface enters the soil
runoff
water from rain, snowmelt, etc., that flows over land rather than being absorbed
groundwater
water found beneath earth’s surface
evapotranspiration
the combined process of water evaporation from the surface and transpiration from plants
transpiration
plants release water vapor into the atmosphere through small openings in their leaves (stomata)
impervious surfaces
surfaces that do not allow water to penetrate into the ground
topography
physical features of a landscape (shape, elevation, slope)
water table
upper boundary of groundwater in an unconfined aquifer - the point where the ground is fully saturated
aquifer (confined, unconfined)
an underground layer of permeable rock, sand, or gravel that stores and transmits groundwater
confined: sandwiched between two layers of impermeable rock or clay (prevent water from entering or leaving)
unconfined: directly connected to the surface and is only covered by permeable soil or rock
riparian zone
the area of land adjacent to freshwater bodies (rivers, lakes, and wetlands)
land use
agricultural: crop production, livestock
residential & commercial: housing, retail, offices, restaurants
industrial: warehousing, manufacturing
recreational: parks, fields, trails
abiotic
non-living components of an ecosystem - soil, water, sunlight, temp
biotic
living components of an ecosystem - plants, animals, microorganisms
macroinvertebrate
small, aquatic animals that are visible to the naked eye and lack a backbone - mayflies, dragonflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies
dichotomous key
identify organisms or objects by answering a series of questions or making choices based on observable characteristics
range of tolerance
spectrum of environmental conditions (such as temperature, pH, salinity, and oxygen levels) within which a particular organism or species can survive and thrive
DO
dissolved oxygen - amount of oxygen present in water
BOD
biochemical oxygen demand - measure of the amount of oxygen microorganisms will consume while decomposing organic matter
higher BOD - greater amount of organic matter - higher pollution
hypoxia
deficiency of oxygen in water (fish suffocate) - dead zones
typically below 2mg of dissolved oxygen/L
anoxia
severe condition characterized by the complete absence of oxygen in an environment
turbulence
irregular flow of fluids, including air and water (inc D.O.)
pH
the acidity or alkalinity - acidic (<7), basic (>7), neutral (7)
alkalinity
the ability of a water body to resist changes in pH
salinity
concentration of dissolved salts in water
turbidity
measure (NTU) of how visible the water is - suspended particles, such as sediments, algae, and microorganisms
nitrate
common form of nitrogen particularly in water and soil, and plays a vital role in the nitrogen cycle (nitrification and denitrification) - nutrient for plants (eutrophication)
phosphate
naturally in rocks and minerals and is released into soils and water bodies through weathering processes - humans contribute through fertilizers, sewage, and runoff - critical for photosynthesis
indicator species
organisms whose presence, absence, or abundance in a particular environment reflects specific environmental conditions (if absent, you cannot make a definite claim)
fecal coliform bacteria
group of bacteria primarily found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans - commonly used as indicators of potential contamination by fecal material
point source
originates from a single, identifiable source or location - oil spills, factories, wastewater treatment plants
nonpoint source
originates from multiple sources and is not easily traceable to a single discharge point - agricultural runoff, urban runoff, forestry and land development
oxygen demanding waste
organic matter and other substances that require oxygen for decomposition
fertilizer
used to make plants grow - contain nitrates and phospates
leaching
neutrients, minerals and contaminants removed from solid materials dissolved in water
eutrophication
water becomes enriched with nutrients, typically from fertilizers or sewage runoff, leading to excessive plant and algae growth which can deplete the water of oxygen and harm aquatic life
cultural eutrophication
when human activity introduces nutrients into an aquatic ecosystem (lowk same as eutrophication)
anthropogenic
environmental change caused or influenced by people, either directly or indirectly
algal bloom
algae grow out of control while producing toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, and marine mammals
cellular respiration
a biological process that breaks down glucose and oxygen to produce energy for cells
Inputs: Glucose and oxygen
Outputs: Carbon dioxide, water, and energy (ATP
Clean Water Act
establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters
sand
most porous texture of soil - most aerated, biggest particle sizes
silt
middle porous texture of salt
clay
least porous texture of soil - most water retention, smallest particle sizes, high CEC
CEC/ Nutrient holding capacity
cation exchange capacity (CEC) - the ability of soil to retain and exchange positively charged ions (cations). It reflects the soil’s nutrient-holding capacity
base saturation
measure of the proportion of basic cations (such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium) in the soil compared to the total cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil
porosity
measure of the void spaces (pores) in a material - hold air or water
permeability
measure of a material’s ability to transmit fluids, specifically water, through its pore spaces
aeration
introducing air into a substance, commonly soil or water, to enhance its physical properties and promote biological activity
subsoil
B horizon - layer of soil that lies beneath the topsoil (A horizon) and above the bedrock or parent material (C horizon) - higher concentration of clay, silt, and minerals compared to topsoil
soil horizons
O Horizon: Organic layer, rich in decomposed material (humus).
A Horizon: Topsoil, fertile, supports plant life.
E Horizon: Less organic material, leached of minerals.
B Horizon: Subsoil, mineral accumulation, denser.
C Horizon: Parent material, weathered rock.
R Horizon: Bedrock, solid rock base.
topsoil
A horizon - contains a significant amount of decomposed plant and animal material (humus)
parent material
the geological material from which soil forms
percolation
process by which water moves through the soil and rock layers, typically downward, due to the force of gravity (after infiltration)
water holding capacity
influenced by several factors, including soil texture, structure, and organic matter content
physical weathering
the mechanical breakdown of rocks into smaller pieces without changing their chemical composition - freeze-thaw, heat (expansion), abrasion (wind, water)
chemical weathering
the breakdown of rocks and minerals through chemical reactions, resulting in the formation of new minerals and soluble substances - hydrolysis (rct. minerals w/ water), oxidation (minerals w/ oxygen), dissolution (soluble minerals)
erosion
which soil, rock, and other surface materials are worn away and transported from one location to another
riparian buffer
vegetated (trees, shrubs, and grasses) area along the banks of rivers, streams, and lakes - water quality, erosion control, temp control, biodiversity
green infrastructure
green roofs, bioswales, permeable pavements, ubran trees, rain gardens
watershed delineation
process of identifying and mapping the boundaries of a watershed
ecosystem services
Food Production: Crops, livestock, fish, and wild foods
Water Supply: Freshwater for drinking, irrigation, and sanitation
Raw Materials: Timber, fiber, and other materials for construction and manufacturing
Medicinal Resources: Plants and compounds used in pharmaceuticals and traditional medicine
Genetic Resources: Biodiversity that can be used for breeding and genetic improvement
cultural services:
Hiking, spirituality, white water rafting
photosynthesis
plants, algae, and some bacteria use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and sugar
organic pollution
animal waste, oil spills, wastewater, agricultural practices, landfills
acid rain
precipitation with a pH lower than normal, resulting from atmospheric pollutants - emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from burning fossil fuels - pH Levels: Normal rain ~5.6; acid rain typically <5.6.
environmental Impact: Harm to soil, water bodies, vegetation, and infrastructure
nitrogen fixation
nitrogen gas (N₂) in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia (NH₃) - available for plant uptake
chloride
neg charged essential element found in various natural and human-made environments
estuary
coastal area where freshwater from rivers and streams meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean
septic system/ tank
underground wastewater treatment system commonly used in rural areas where centralized sewer systems are not available
septic tank - collects and treats wastewater through sedimentation and aerobic digestion
drain field - further treats and disposes of wastewater as it percolates through the soil
soil -natural filter for contaminants
sewage treatment plants
facilities designed to treat sewage and wastewater from homes, businesses, and industries before releasing it
Preliminary Treatment: Screening and grit removal.
Primary Treatment: Sedimentation of solids.
Secondary Treatment: Biological treatment to remove dissolved organic matter.
Tertiary Treatment: Additional treatment and disinfection.
Sludge Management: Handling of the solids generated during treatment.
sewage dumping
facilities dump their sewage that they don’t have space for straight into bodies of water
heavy metals
Lead (Pb):
Sources: Lead-based paints, occurs natually, old plumbing systems, batteries, and industrial emissions.
Effects: Neurological damage, especially in children, as well as kidney damage and hypertension in adults.
Mercury (Hg):
Sources: Industrial processes, occurs natually, coal combustion, and certain fish (bioaccumulation).
Effects: Neurotoxic effects, particularly from methylmercury exposure through fish consumption, affecting cognitive and motor functions.
Arsenic (As):
Sources: Pesticides, herbicides, and natural mineral deposits; also found in some drinking water sources.
Effects: Skin lesions, cancer, and adverse effects on the respiratory system.
acid deposition
acidic pollutants fall to the Earth’s surface from the atmosphere, primarily in the form of rain, snow, fog, or dust
pesticides & inert ingredients
pesticides: Chemical agents used to control pests in agriculture and public health - insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, bactericides
inert Ingredients: Non-active substances included in pesticide formulations to enhance efficacy, stability, or application - can have unforseen damages
spermicide
😛
pharmaceuticals & hormones
Pharmaceuticals: Chemical compounds used for medical treatment, including analgesics, antibiotics
Hormones: steroid, peptide, amino acid-derived
military compounds
perchlorates (used for rocket fuel) - impact thyroid glands + reduce production of hormones
industrial compounds
solvents, plastics, metals, and fuels
solid waste pollution
environmental degradation caused by improper disposal of solid waste from various sources, including residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural activities
sediment pollution
accumulation of excess sediment in water bodies, resulting from soil erosion and the runoff of particulate matter
thermal pollution
power plants and manufacturing facilities, use water for cooling processes and then discharge the heated water back into nearby rivers or lakes - decreased D.O., inc metabolic rates
noise pollution
sound waves from boats can impact communications of whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals, oftentimes causing them to get lost or confused
microplastics
plastic particles (<5 mm) resulting from the breakdown of larger plastics or manufactured intentionally
food chain
a linear model that shows the transfer of energy and matter through an ecosystem by depicting the order in which organisms eat each other
producer
produces their own energy + food - plants
consumer
consumes other consumers or producers for energy
food web
lots of food chains put together
decomposers
decompose organic matter - oftentimes need D.O. to do it
nymph
incomplete metamorphosis: 3 stages (dragonfly, snails, crayfish, mussels) - egg, nymph, adult
larvae
complete metamorphosis: 4 stages (riffle beetle, butterfly, moth) - egg, larva, pupa, adult
pupa is a stage = special resting, no food
primary treatment
to remove large solids and sediments from wastewater - physical barriers, settle, removal of sludge
secondary treatment
reduce organic matter like nitrogen and phosporus
effluent
liquid waste or sewage that is discharged from a facility, treatment plant, or industrial process into a body of water
hydropower production
generation of electricity using the energy of flowing or falling water - renewable, low ghg emissions, energy storage
domestic h2o use
drinking, cooking, sanitation + hygiene, cleaning, gardening
agri irrigation use
artificial application of water to soil or land to assist in the growing of crops and vegetation
forests
soil protection, biodiverse, carbon sinks, regulate water
biogeochemical cycle
movement of chemical elements and compounds between living organisms (bio), geological formations (geo), and chemical processes (chemical) within ecosystems - carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, phosporus cycle, water cycle
pools
components that contain matter - area in body of water that is relatively slow or still
flows
process that moves matter between pools
groundwater recharge
precipitation, surface water, or other sources infiltrates into the ground and replenishes aquifers
spring
natural source of groundwater that flows to the surface, often forming a stream or pool
artesian well
brings groundwater to the surface without pumping because it is under pressure within a body of rock and/or sediment (drilling into confined aquifer)
cone of depression
occurs in groundwater aquifers when water is extracted from a well at a rate that exceeds the natural recharge of the aquifer
surface water
water that collects on the surface of the ground, primarily in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, wetlands, and ocean
floodplain
flat or gently sloping land adjacent to a river or stream that is subject to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt
impermeable surface
water can’t get into the ground and becomes runoff - pavements + roads
humus
organic, stable part of soil that results from the breakdown of dead plant and animal material by microorganisms over time
detritus
organic matter that consists of decomposing plant and animal material (fallen leaves + dead animals)
water quality chart
go look at it pls
PCB
used to manufacture plastics + insulate electric transformers (lethal + carcinogenic) - stop being produced
PBDE
flame retardant (brain + thyroid damage)
biomagnification
goes through the food chain
bio accumulation
build-up of substance in an individual overtime
Cl.O.R.P.T
five major factors control how a soil forms: climate, organism, relief (topography), parent rock, time
limiting factor
resource or environmental condition that restricts the growth or distribution of an organism or a population within an ecosystem (something that’s needed for an organism to grow + reproduce)
pathogens
biological agent that causes disease or illness to its host (bacteria, virus, fungi) - NOT ANIMAL
WHEBIP
watershed habitat evaluation and biotic integrity protocol - predicts organisms in riparian zones, quality of stream segments, % of watershed dedicated to various land uses
