Water
the area of land where all the water that falls in it and drains off of it goes to the same place
watershed
Describe the flow of water in a watershed
high points to low points until it reaches a body of water
a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is
pH
pH 7
neutral
What causes eutrophication?
excess amounts of nitrates and phosphates
a stream, creek, or brook flowing into a larger stream, river or lake
tributary
What determines the boundaries of a watershed?
divides determine the boundaries
most _____ organisms live in a range between 32-90 degrees Fahrenheit or 0-32 degrees Celsius
aquatic
pH 8-14
basic
comes from a single known place like a factory, sewage outlet, smoke stack, and oil spill
point source pollution
an area in between different watersheds
divide
How do humans impact our watersheds?
through water pollution (surface water contamination, oil pollution, chemical, ground water pollution, thermal pollution, agriculture pollution)
clarity of water
turbidity
temperature, decaying organic material in water and stream flow
comes from a source that is not easy to find
non-point source pollution
- a planting of trees and shrubs at the edge of a stream bank
-it slows down runoff and prevents bank erosion
-it filters pollutants
riparian buffer
What is dissolved oxygen?
oxygen gas dissolved in water
a natural process where water bodies receive excess nutrients and phospates that simulate excessive plant growth
eutrophication
What effect does excess nitrates have on water?
it causes algae blooms that reduce water quality
2 sources of point source pollution
sewage outlet, smoke stack
3 things that watersheds supply
-drinking water
-habitats for plants and animals
-water used in agriculture
a primary plant nutrient but only a small amount is needed
nitrates and phosphates
pH 0-6
acidic
What affects pH in water?
acid rainfalls and algae blooms releases from industrial processes
2 sources of non-point source pollution
trash, run off from agriculture