Water and Water Pollution Flashcards
what percent of all water on earth does freshwater make up
.63 percent
what is groundwater
layer between soil and impervious rock
what is the upper surface of groundwater called
water table
what is an aquifer
layer of poros material in which ground water moves through
what is groundwater recharge
input from precip through soil
what is an unconfined aquifer
water can flow in and out easily
what is a confined aquifer
surrounded by layer of impermeable rock or cla
what is an artesian well
water that is under pressure in a confined aquifer that can rise up in a well without pumping
what is a cone of depression
rapid pumping creates an area around a well where the water table is lowered
when do water tables drop[
when level of withdrawal is more than the recharge rate
what is saltwater intrusion
loss of pressure allows adjecent salt water to infiltrate aquifer
what do levees do
prevent river flooding
what do dikes (lol) do
prevents ocean flooding
what do dams do
creates a resevoir, flood control, hydroelectric dam, recreation
what do fish ladders do
allows fish to migrate past a danm
what do aqueducts do
carry water from one location to another
what are point sources
identifiable of pollution that is easy to identify and treat
what are nonpoint sources
no specific source of pollution like runoff, snowmelt, storm water
what are pathogens
disease causing organisms
what are sediments
small pieces of dirt from erosion that can be found in rivers
what are bad things about sediment pollution
blocks sunlight, killing algae and other organisms
what is bad about pathogen pollution
epidemics can be caused, can be fecal matter
what is chemical pollution
pollution where water dissolves many chemicals
what are bad things about chemcial pollution
can biomagnify and can be toxic
what are organic wastes
any human or animal wastes, plant matter
what is BOD
measure of oxygen needed to break down amount of organic matter in the water
what is nutrient pollution
when nutrients get into water
what does nutrient pollution usually cause
eutrophication
what is eutrophication
when algae blooms, using up large amounts of dissolved oxygen in the water, killing organisms
what is thermal pollution
when hot or warm water is added to water supply
what is a common source of thermal pollution
power plants that use water as a cooling measure
what does the clean water act do
protects and restores waters that focuses on point sources
what does the water quality act do
focus on non point sources
what is the safe drinking act
protects public water quality throughout the nation
what are some affects on animals by oil spills
decreased insulation, poisoning by ingesting
what are some affects on the ecosystems by oil spills
contribution to the greenhouse effect, tar formation
what are some natural ways to clean up oil spills
weathering, evaporation, and biodegredation
what are somne human ways to clean up oil spills
brooms and skimmers, burning, chemicals
what is natural eutreophication
eutrophication caused by decay process in older ponds and lakes
what is cultural eutrophication
increase of plant nutrients drom runoff
what is the first method of combating eutrophication
chemical treatment and aeration
what is aeration
addition of oxygen to affected area of water
what is the second way to help eutrophication
attacking root causes and identifying sources
what is debris and grit
sand and plastic
what is particulate organic matter
fecal matter and food waste
what is dissolved organic matter
urine, bacteria, soap
what is dissolved inorganic matter
nitrogen and phosphorus
what happens during preliminary treatement
bar screen removes debris, then grit chamber allows gritto settle on bottom
what happens during primary treatment
removes particulate organic usiong primary clarifiers
what are primary clarifiers
large tanks that allows organic matter to settle and removed fats rise to the top
what happens during secondary treatment
removal of dissolved organic using organisms to decompose wastes
what do activated sludge systems do0
organisms added to large tank with air bubbling system
what are clarifier tanks
allows organisms to settle out
what happens during tertiary treatment
disenfection using chlorine, UV light, or ozone
what happens during the treatment of sludge
sludge is eaten by bacteria
what are sludge digesters
airtight tanks
what is composting
sludge is added to woodchips where bacteria breaks down substances
what is pasteurization
water is removed from sludge and then burned
