Water Resources Flashcards
6 cards from real Environmental Science practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Water Resources flashcards as text
What is gray water?
Answer: Lightly used household water from sinks and showers, not toilets
Gray water is relatively clean wastewater from bathroom sinks, showers, and laundry that can be recycled for irrigation.
Which dam removal trend is driven primarily by what environmental concern?
Answer: Restoring fish migration routes and natural river flow
Many dams are being removed to allow migratory fish like salmon to access historic spawning grounds and restore natural river ecosystems.
What does the term 'hydrological drought' mean?
Answer: A reduction in surface water and groundwater below average levels
Hydrological drought occurs when surface water and groundwater reserves fall below statistically defined levels for the region.
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires the EPA to set which type of standards for public water systems?
Answer: Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)
MCLs are legally enforceable standards set under the SDWA specifying the maximum allowable concentration of contaminants in drinking water.
What is desalination, and what is its primary environmental concern?
Answer: Removing salt from water; produces brine waste harmful to marine ecosystems
Desalination converts seawater to freshwater but produces concentrated brine that can harm marine environments when discharged.
Which wetland function makes them valuable for reducing downstream flood damage?
Answer: Water storage and flood attenuation
Wetlands act as natural sponges, absorbing and slowly releasing floodwaters, reducing peak flood heights downstream.