Water Systems Flashcards
Oceans
The largest saltwater basins coverings the most (70%) of the earths surface. The ocean is connected by divided into..
Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Antarctic.
Bay
Bodies of water partially surrounded by land. These bodies of water can be fresh or salt water.
Coral Reefs
Made up of polyps or coral. They are living organisms that are apart of the invertebrates family, found in tropical waters.
Beaches
Portions of land where the water meets inland areas. Beaches characterized by sand and pebbles, made from erosion.
Rivers
Channels of water that flow or drain into lakes, oceans, or other rivers. Most rivers contain fresh water and when they meet the ocean, it’s called an estuaries.
Tributaries
Smaller streams that flow into bigger ones, the largest stream is called the mainstream.
Lakes
Slow moving streams that gather in a depression. Lakes are usually fresh water, the ones that contain saline have a high salt and mineral content.
Pond
Smaller bodies of water that gather in land depressions. Naturally occurred or manmade.
Wetlands
Areas of land with saturated water. They act like filters for things in the water before the reach larger bodies of water. Wetlands slow the flow of floods.
Riparian
Areas between the shoreline of a water source and lush vegetation. Many species live in this “ribbon of life”. It’s important to keep these riparians natural to support the species living in them.
Glaciers
Compacted snow, ice, sediment, and rock that gather in mountainous regions. Glaciers contain 2% of the earths water.
Icebergs
Pieces of broken off glaciers but are made of fresh water. Glaciers and icebergs formed the ice age 10,000 years ago.
Groundwater
Water under the ground that travels through aquifers to gather in open spaces underground.
Waterfalls
Unique features where water flows over a steep incline to a plunge pool beneath.
