watershed unit Flashcards
(23 cards)
What are the key parameters for measuring water quality in a watershed?
Point Source or Nonpoint Source Pollution, Temperature, Turbidity, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Dissolved Oxygen, pH, Biotic Factors in and around the watershed
These parameters help assess the cleanliness and safety of natural water and watersheds.
Define Water Quality Parameters.
Standards or guidelines for measuring a healthy watershed
Quality refers to the goodness of something, while parameters are the measurable characteristics.
What does turbidity indicate in water quality testing?
The cloudiness of the water caused by sediment
High turbidity can harm aquatic life by heating water and blocking sunlight.
What factors can increase turbidity in water?
Sediment runoff, lack of trees, construction
These factors contribute to the cloudiness and health of the water.
What are biotic factors in a watershed?
Living organisms in a watershed
This includes animals and plants, ideally balancing native species.
What is Point Source Pollution?
A source of pollution that can be easily identified or measured
Examples include discharge from factories or spills from vessels.
Give examples of Point Source Pollution.
- Fabric company dumping dye into a stream
- Wastewater leaking from a pipe
- Oil spills from tankers
- Gasoline dumped from boats
- Polluted drainage from factories
These are identifiable sources of pollution.
Define Nonpoint Source Pollution.
Pollution that is spread out over a large area and cannot be traced back to an individual source
This type of pollution is more diffuse and harder to control.
Give examples of Nonpoint Source Pollution.
- Fertilizer runoff from lawns
- Oily runoff from towns into lakes
- Chemical runoff from roads
- Pet waste from neighborhoods
These pollutants come from various sources and accumulate in water bodies.
What does temperature measure in water quality?
How hot or cold the water is
Water temperature affects oxygen levels and aquatic life.
How can high temperatures impact water quality?
Reduces oxygen levels, makes it difficult for organisms to live, promotes excessive plant growth
Hard surfaces and removal of shade trees can raise water temperatures.
What nutrients encourage plant growth in water bodies?
Phosphorus and Nitrogen
While beneficial, excessive nutrients can lead to algal blooms.
What is Dissolved Oxygen?
Oxygen dissolved in water that organisms use to breathe
Low levels can be harmful to aquatic life.
What does pH measure in water?
Whether water is acidic or basic
A neutral pH of 7 is ideal for aquatic organisms.
What can cause changes in pH levels in water?
Pollution from chemicals, acid rain, waste drainage from mines
Many organisms are sensitive to pH changes.
Fill in the blank: A pH of _____ is ideal for a watershed.
7
How can nutrients negatively affect watersheds?
- Lead to algal blooms that deplete oxygen
- Cause excess plant growth that disrupts ecosystems
Though nutrients are essential, their overabundance can be detrimental.
Head water.
water collected at the top of a watershed divide
divide.
something that separates the water into 2 different watersheds.
tributary.
a water stream that flows into a bigger one or another body of water.
estuary.
when fresh water mixes with saltwater.
wetland. and some types of them
ecosystem that is flooded by water either permanently or seasonally consisting of marshes and swamps. swamps, bogs, marshes.
wetlands-
reduce erosion, flooding, it refreshes ground water, home for fishes and other things
