Aquifer
A permeable layer of rock and sediment that contains groundwater
Confined Aquifer
An aquifer surrounded by a layer of impermeable rock or clay that impedes water flow
Unconfined Aquifer
A aquifer made of porous rock covered by soil, which water can flow easily into and out of
Water Table
The uppermost level at which the water in a given area fully saturates rock or soil
Groundwater Recharge
A process by which water percolates through the soil and works its way into an aquifer
Spring
A natural source of water formed when water from an aquifer percolates up the ground surface
Artesian Well
A well created by drilling a hole into a confined aquifer
Cone of Depression
An area from which the groundwater has been rapidly withdrawn (forms the shape of a cone)
Saltwater Intrusion
An infiltration of salt water in an area where groundwater pressure has been reduced from extensive drilling of wells
Impermeable Surfaces
pavement of building that do not allow water penetration
Surface Water
fresh water that exists above ground (ie streams, lakes, rivers, wetlands)
Ocean Derived Lakes
tectonic activity causing areas of land to rise which isolates a region of an ocean
Glacial Derived Lakes
through thousands of years glacial movements have scraped large depressions in the land that fill up with melted glacial water
Oligotrophic Lake
lake with a low level of productivity (because of low amount of nutrients in the water)
Mesotrophic Lake
A lake with a moderate level of productivity
Eutrophic Lake
A lake with a high level of productivity
Aqueduct
A canal or ditch used to carry water from one location to another
Desalinization
the process of removing salt from salt water either by distillation or reverse osmosis
Distillation
heat used to boil water, leaving salt behind as the water evaporates, yielding pure water
Reverse Osmosis
water forced through a thin, semi permeable membrane at high pressure to remove salt from water
Dam
A barrier that runs across a river or stream that controls the flow of water
Reservoir
a body of water created by blocking the natural flow of a waterway
Fish Ladders
a stair-like structure that allows migrating fish to get around a dam
Hydroponic Agriculture
The cultivation of plants in greenhouse conditions by immersing roots in nutrient-rich soil
Furrow Irrigation
farmers dig trenches along the crop rows and fills them with water; easy, inexpensive; 65% efficient
Flood Irrigation
farmers flood an entire area with water to let the crops soak in evenly; generally disruptive to plant growth; 70-80% efficient
Spray Irrigation
farmers pump water from a well to a spraying machine; more $ and energy; 75-95% efficient
Drip Irrigation
farmers use a slowly dripping hose laid on the ground or underneath the soil; useful with fields with perennial crops and decreases weed growth; <95% efficient
Free Market System
A system of water ownership where interested parties compete and let the market determine the water's value so the price of water will encourage its efficient use
Major Uses of Human Water
Agriculture, Industries, Households
Factors that Will Affect the Future Availability of Water
water ownership, water conservation, economic development, global change
Distribution of Water on Earth