| A | B |
|---|
| acid rain | Rain that is more acidic than normal, caused by the release of molecules of sulfer dioxide and nitrogen oxide into the atmosphere |
| coagulation | The process by which particles in a liquid clump together; a step in the water treatment process |
| concentration | The amount of one substance in a certain volume of another substance |
| conservation | The process of using a resource wisely so it will not be used up |
| desalination | The process of obtaining fresh water from salt water by removing salt |
| drought | A water shortage caused by long periods of low precipitation in a particular area |
| filtration | The process of passing water through a series of screens that allow the water through, but not the larger particles |
| flocs | Sticky globs created by adding a chemical such as alum during water treatment |
| hardness | the level of the minerals calcium and magnesium in the water |
| hydroelectric power | Electricity produced by the kinetic energy of water moving over a waterfall or dam |
| kinetic energy | The form of energy that an object has because of its motion |
| leach field | The ground area around a septic tank through which wastewater filters after leaving the tank |
| nonpoint source | A widely spread source of pollution, such as road runoff, that is difficult to link to a specific point of origin |
| pesticide | A chemical intended to kill insects and other organisms that damage crops |
| pH | potential of Hydrogen- how acidic or basic a substance is, measured on a scale of 1 (acidic-burns skin) to 14 (basic- burns skin). Neutral (safe) is 7 |
| point source | A specific source of pollution that can be identified, such as a pipe spilling pollution from a factory |
| pollutants | Harmful substances in the air, water, or soil. |
| potential energy | Energy that is stored and available to be used later. |
| septic tank | An underground tank containing bacteria that treats wastewater as it passes through |
| sewage | Water containing human wastes |
| sludge | Deposits of fine solids that settle out from wastewater during the treatment process |
| water pollution | The addition of any substance that has a negative effect on water of the living things that depend on the water |
| water quality | The degree of purity of the water, determined by measuring the substances, other than water molecules, that are dissolved or suspended in the water |
