Water Cycle and Reservoirs
The main energy source that drives the hydrologic cycle.
Sunlight
Underground layers of permeable rock or sediment that store water.
Aquifers
Pollution that comes from a single identifiable source like a pipe.
Point source pollution
Water that is low in nutrients is described as this.
Oligotrophic
Wastewater treatment that physically removes large solids.
Primary treatment
The largest reservoir of water on Earth.
Oceans
Overpumping groundwater near the coast can cause this problem.
Saltwater intrusion
Pollution that comes from many diffuse sources like runoff.
Nonpoint source pollution
Water that is high in nutrients is described as this.
Eutrophic
Wastewater treatment that uses bacteria to break down organic matter.
Secondary treatment
Where most of Earth’s freshwater is stored.
Glaciers and ice caps
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Sinking of land caused by excessive groundwater withdrawal.
Land subsidence
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Coliform bacteria in water are an example of this type of pollutant.
Pathogens
Biochemical Oxygen Demand measures this.
The amount of dissolved oxygen used by microorganisms
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Wastewater treatment that removes nutrients and disinfects water.
Tertiary treatment
DOUBLE POINTS
The boundary between the unsaturated zone and the saturated zone underground.
Water table
The sector that uses the largest percentage of global freshwater.
Agriculture
Mercury and lead are classified as this category of pollutant.
Heavy metals
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Dissolved oxygen levels drop during eutrophication because of this biological process.
Decomposition by bacteria
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The cheapest and most effective way to reduce pollution.
Prevent it at the source
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This process allows water to soak into the ground and replenish an aquifer.
Groundwater recharge
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Two continents that experience the greatest water scarcity.
Africa and Asia
DOUBLE POINTS
Fertilizer runoff entering a lake is most likely to cause this process.
Cultural eutrophication
DOUBLE POINTS
In a food chain, pollutants increasing in concentration at higher trophic levels is called this.
Biomagnification
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Removing salt from seawater to create freshwater is called this.
Desalination
TRIPLE POINTS