Used to create a glossary of terms, and to automatically link any of those terms in a page to their glossary definition.
- aquifer search for term
An underground reservoir.
- Bioaccumulate search for term
To bioaccumulate literally means to accumulate in a biological system. However, it is commonly taken to measure the uptake over time of toxic substances that can stay in a biological system.
- condensation search for term
The act of a gas or vapour turning into a liquid. As water vapour rises into the atmosphere, it cools, condenses, and collect to form tiny drops of water which fall as rain.
- confluence search for term
Describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water. It usually refers to the point where a tributary joins a more major river.
- Effluents search for term
The sewage or industrial liquid waste that is released into natural water by sewage treatment plants, industry, or septic leaks.
- Erosion search for term
The wearing down or washing away of the soil and land surface by the action of water, wind, or ice.
- evaporation search for term
A body of water, such as a lake, river, or even a puddle, is made up of water molecules. The sun heats the surface of the water, causing the molecules to evaporate and rise into the atmosphere.
- flooding search for term
A huge influx of water, from rain and streams.
Synonyms: flood, high water- Headwaters search for term
The source of the river or stream, i.e. the place where the water in the river or stream originates.
- Hydrologic Cycle search for term
The cyclic transfer of water vapour from the Earth's surface via evaporation or transpiration into the atmosphere, from the atmosphere via precipitation back to earth, and through runoff into streams, rivers, and lakes, and ultimately into the oceans.
- infiltration search for term
The process by which water on the ground enters the soil.
- percolation search for term
Water travels down through the soil and rocks deeper underground until it settles in an aquifer.
- precipitation search for term
When clouds become heavy with water particles, the particles fall back to the Earth as precipitation in the form of rain, snow, freezing rain or hail, depending on the temperature of the surrounding air.
- runoff search for term
Some of the water that falls on the ground flows over the surface of the land and runs off into nearby streams, rivers and lakes. It can collect pollutants as it flows over the surface and deposit them in streams, rivers and lakes.
- source water search for term
Source water is untreated water from streams, lakes, or underground aquifers that people use to supply private wells and public drinking water systems.
- transpiration search for term
In the same way that humans perspire, water absorbed through the plants’ roots moves to the surface of the leaves and evaporates into the atmosphere.
- utilities search for term
Utilities are companies or government agencies that are responsible for providing such things as electricity, gas or water to the public.
- wastewater search for term
water mixed with waste matter e.g. sewage or industry by-products
- water budget search for term
The water budget is a method for balancing the input and output of a system. The system can represent a watershed, stream, and groundwater reservoir.
- Watershed search for term
The entire drainage area or basin feeding a stream or river, includes surface water, groundwater, vegetation, and human structures.