Hydrology Flashcards
Define nonpoint-source pollution
Examples include: Land runoff, rainfall, deposition, and drainage. It’s the non-direct form of pollution and is carried through the water cycle
Where is most of earths fresh water located?
Solidified at the north and south poles
Define stream load
All of the sediment carried by a river
Define aquifer
Any body of rock through which water can flow and can store enough water for domestic and industrial use
Define porosity
The total volume of the open spaces or pores in a rock
Define well sorted
When all the particles in a sediment are about the same size
Define permeability
The ease with which water can pass through a rock or sediment
Define zone of saturation
The underground layer of rock where all of the open spaces are filled with water
Define water table
The upper surface of the zone of saturation
Define spring
A natural flow of groundwater that has reached the surface
Define chemical weathering
Rock is broken down due to chemical reaction
Explain a young river
Has the fastest velocity, v-shaped, narrow or straight, has rapids, and has lots of erosion.
Explain a mature river
Fast to medium velocity, u-shaped, less erosion then a young river, smooth riverbed, slower than young.
Explain an old river
Slowest velocity, u-shaped with meanders and oxbow lakes, little erosion.
Define cave
Large underground cave due to carbonization of limestone
Define sinkhole
When a cavern collapses because te water table has dropped
Define geyser
Underground pressure and the water erupts
Where is fresh water found
Lakes, rivers, glaciers, and groundwater.