WATER RESOURCES Flashcards
discontinuous sub-region of Earth that contains water at / near the surface
hydrosphere
biogeochemical cycle that moves water to and from oceans and other bodies of water to the atmosphere, to Earth’s surface and back to the bodies of water
hydrologic / water cycle
the absorption of water by plants and its release to the atmosphere
transpiration
gas -> liquid
condensation
release of water from clouds
precipitation
happens when water droplets accumulate and become heavy as they collide with each other
precipitation
when water penetrates the soil
infiltration
when rate of rainfall exceeds ground’s ability to absorb water
runoff
bodies of rock / sediment with the ability to store and transmit water
aquifer
an aquifer that collects water straight from the surface
unconfined
an aquifer trapped between 2 rock layers
confined
water below the earth’s surface
groundwater
zone not completely filled with water
unsaturated
zone that passes through interconnected openings of sand, gravel, silt and clay
saturated
purification of saltwater into freshwater
desalination
converts seawater into freshwater
solar still
water used at home
domestic
water used to grow agricultural plants and sustain livestock
agricultural
water used for the production of different products
industrial
water used for healthcare industries
medical
- adjacent above / below aquifers
aquitard / aquiclude
Aquitards _____ water infiltration
do not allow
when bodies of water receive excessive amounts of nutrients
eutrophication
caused predominantly by emissions from burning of fossil fuels
acid rain
