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APES Vocab
Water Pollution
Term | Definition |
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acid deposition | acids deposited on Earth as rain and snow or as gases and particles that attach to the surfaces of plants, soil, and water |
biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) | the amount of oxygen a quantity of water uses over a period of time at specific temperatures |
cultural eutrophication | an increase in fertility in a body of water, the result of anthropogenic inputs of nutrients |
dead zone | in a body of water, an area with extremely low oxygen concentration and very little life |
eutrophication | a phenomenon in which a body of water becomes rich in nutrients |
fecal coliform bacteria | a group of generally harmless microorganisms in human intestines that can serve as an indicator species for potentially harmful microorganisms associated with contaminated sewage |
indicator species | a species that indicates whether or not disease causing pathogens are likely to be present |
leach field | a component of a septic system, made up of underground pipes laid out below the surface of the ground |
manure lagoon | human-made pond lined with rubber built to handle large quantities of manure produced by livestock |
maximum contaminant level (MCL) | the standard for safe drinking water established by the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act |
nonpoint source | a diffuse area that produces pollution |
perchlorates | a group of harmful chemicals used for rocket fuel |
point source | a distinct location from which pollution is directly produced |
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) | a group of industrial compounds used to manufacture plastics and insulate electrical transformers, and responsible for many environmental problems |
septage | a layer of fairly clear water found in the middle of a septic tank |
septic system | a relatively small and simple sewage treatment system, made up of a septic tank and a leach field, often used for homes in rural areas |
septic tank | a large container that receives wastewater from a house as part of a septic system |
sludge | solid waste material from wastewater |
thermal pollution | nonchemical water pollution that occurs when human activities cause a substantial change in the temperature of water |
thermal shock | a dramatic change in water temperature that can kill organisms |
wastewater | water produced by livestock operations and human activities, including human sewage from toilets and gray water from bathing and washing of clothes and dishes |
water pollution | the contamination of streams, rivers, lakes, oceans, or groundwater with substances produced through human activities |