APES Water Resources & Pollution

Front

What is a wetland?

Back

A type of aquatic ecosystem that is characterized by saturated soil and water, often viewed as wasteland in the past.

Front

What is the benthic zone?

Back

An area of an aquatic ecosystem where cold waters, low oxygen levels, and bottom-dwelling organisms are found.

Front

What is the relationship between Dissolved Oxygen (D.O.) and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (B.O.D.)?

Back

When B.O.D. increases, the D.O. decreases.

Front

How much water does a family save by replacing 7-gallon-per-minute showerheads with 3-gallon-per-minute showerheads if each member showers for 10 minutes?

Back

200 gallons per day.

Front

What is the 'Tragedy of the Commons'?

Back

A situation where individual users deplete a shared resource, leading to its degradation, exemplified by the depletion of fishing stocks in the North Atlantic.

Front

Define estuaries.

Back

Coastal areas where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean, rich in biodiversity.

Front

What is the photic zone?

Back

The upper layer of a body of water that receives enough sunlight for photosynthesis to occur.

Front

What is the limnetic zone?

Back

The well-lit, open surface waters in a lake away from the shore.

Front

What is the significance of water conservation?

Back

It helps to preserve water resources, reduce utility bills, and protect the environment.

Front

What are the main causes of water pollution?

Back

Industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, sewage, and plastic waste.