Water function table_sort(table_name, column_number, data_type) { var table, rows, switching, i, x, y, shouldSwitch, dir, switchcount = 0; table = document.getElementById(table_name); switching = true; // Set the sorting direction to ascending: dir = "asc"; /* Make a loop that will continue until no switching has been done: */ while (switching) { /* Start by saying no switching is done */ switching = false; rows = table.getElementsByTagName("TR"); /* Loop through all table rows (except the first, which contains table headers) start the index at 2 to skip 2 header rows */ for (i = 2; i < (rows.length - 1); i++) { /* Start by saying there should be no switching */ shouldSwitch = false; /* Get the two elements you want to compare, one from current row and one from the next: */ x = rows[i].getElementsByTagName("TD")[column_number]; y = rows[i + 1].getElementsByTagName("TD")[column_number]; /* Check if the two rows should switch place, based on the direction, asc or desc: */ if (dir == "asc") { /* text data */ if (data_type == 0) { if (x.innerHTML.toLowerCase() > y.innerHTML.toLowerCase()) { /* If so, mark as a switch and break the loop */ shouldSwitch= true; break; } } /* numeric data */ if (data_type == 1) { /* remove commas and convert to numeric */ x_num = x.innerHTML; while (x_num.search(",") >= 0) { x_num = (x_num + "").replace(',', ''); } /* temp removed x_num = parseInt(x_num, 10); */ x_num = parseFloat(x_num); y_num = y.innerHTML; while (y_num.search(",") >= 0) { y_num = (y_num + "").replace(',', ''); } /* temp removed y_num = parseInt(y_num, 10); */ y_num = parseFloat(y_num); if (x_num > y_num) { /* If so, mark as a switch and break the loop */ shouldSwitch= true; break; } } } else if (dir == "desc") { /* text data */ if (data_type == 0) { if (x.innerHTML.toLowerCase() < y.innerHTML.toLowerCase()) { /* If so, mark as a switch and break the loop */ shouldSwitch= true; break; } } /* numeric data */ if (data_type == 1) { /* remove commas and convert to numeric */ x_num = x.innerHTML; while (x_num.search(",") >= 0) { x_num = (x_num + "").replace(',', ''); } /* temp removed x_num = parseInt(x_num, 10); */ x_num = parseFloat(x_num); y_num = y.innerHTML; while (y_num.search(",") >= 0) { y_num = (y_num + "").replace(',', ''); } /* temp removed y_num = parseInt(y_num, 10); */ y_num = parseFloat(y_num); if (x_num < y_num) { /* If so, mark as a switch and break the loop */ shouldSwitch= true; break; } } } } if (shouldSwitch) { /* If a switch has been marked, make the switch and mark that a switch has been done: */ rows[i].parentNode.insertBefore(rows[i + 1], rows[i]); switching = true; // Each time a switch is done, increase this count by 1: switchcount ++; } else { /* If no switching has been done AND the direction is "asc", set the direction to "desc" and run the while loop again. */ if (switchcount == 0 && dir == "asc") { dir = "desc"; switching = true; } } } } function water_ask(water_question, water_question_answer) { document.getElementById(water_question).innerHTML = water_question_answer; } function water_answer(water_question, water_question_answer) { document.getElementById(water_question).innerHTML = water_question_answer; } function water_identify(water_sound, water_answer) { document.getElementById(water_sound).innerHTML = water_answer; } function water_reset(water_sound, water_answer) { document.getElementById(water_sound).innerHTML = water_answer; } function imageswap(box, boximage, boxcaption, boxtext) { document.getElementById(box).src = boximage; document.getElementById(boxcaption).innerHTML = boxtext; } function pageswap(page, pagesource, pagecaption, pagetext) { document.getElementById(page).src = pagesource; document.getElementById(pagecaption).innerHTML = pagetext; } function disptext(textinfo) { document.getElementById(textinfo).style.display = 'block'; } function hidetext(textinfo) { document.getElementById(textinfo).style.display = 'none'; }
#data { border-collapse: collapse; } #data td, #data th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; } #data th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #data tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #data tr:hover { color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; cursor: pointer; } #data a:link { cursor: pointer; } #contamtable { border-collapse: collapse; } #contamtable td, #contamtable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; } #contamtable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #contamtable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #contamtable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #contamtable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #lakestable { border-collapse: collapse; } #lakestable td, #lakestable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; } #lakestable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #lakestable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #lakestable tr:hover { color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; cursor: pointer; } #lakestable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #riverstable { border-collapse: collapse; } #riverstable td, #riverstable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; } #riverstable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #riverstable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #riverstable tr:hover { color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; cursor: pointer; } #riverstable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #rivhisttable { border-collapse: collapse; } #rivhisttable td, #rivhisttable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; } #rivhisttable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #rivhisttable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #rivhisttable tr:hover { color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; cursor: pointer; } #rivhisttable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #elementstable { border-collapse: collapse; } #elementstable td, #elementstable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; } #elementstable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #elementstable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #elementstable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #elementstable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #ghgtable { border-collapse: collapse; } #ghgtable td, #ghgtable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; } #ghgtable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #ghgtable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #ghgtable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #ghgtable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #colrivaltable { border-collapse: collapse; } #colrivaltable td, #colrivaltable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; } #colrivaltable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #colrivaltable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #colrivaltable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #colrivaltable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #extincttable { border-collapse: collapse; } #extincttable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; } #extincttable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; text-align: center; } #extincttable td { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; } #extincttable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #extincttable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #extincttable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #innertable td { border-style: none; border-collapse: collapse; border: hidden; } #hydrotable { border-collapse: collapse; } #hydrotable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; } #hydrotable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; text-align: center; } #hydrotable td { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; } #hydrotable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #hydrotable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #hydrotable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #eotable { border-collapse: collapse; } #eotable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; } #eotable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; text-align: center; } #eotable td { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; } #eotable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #eotable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #eotable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #crstable { border-collapse: collapse; } #crstable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; } #crstable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; text-align: center; } #crstable td { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; } #crstable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #crstable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #crstable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #lawtable { border-collapse: collapse; } #lawtable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; } #lawtable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; text-align: center; } #lawtable td { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; } #lawtable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #lawtable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #lawtable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #dailytable { border-collapse: collapse; } #dailytable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; } #dailytable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; text-align: center; } #dailytable td { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; } #dailytable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #dailytable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #dailytable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #azriverstable { border-collapse: collapse; } #azriverstable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; } #azriverstable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; text-align: center; } #azriverstable td { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; } #azriverstable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #azriverstable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #azriverstable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #damstable { border-collapse: collapse; } #damstable td, #damstable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; } #damstable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #damstable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #damstable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #damstable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #salinitytable { border-collapse: collapse; } #salinitytable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; } #salinitytable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; text-align: center; } #salinitytable td { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; } #salinitytable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #salinitytable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #salinitytable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #bestwatertable { border-collapse: collapse; } #bestwatertable td, #bestwatertable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; } #bestwatertable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #bestwatertable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #bestwatertable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #bestwatertable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #worstwatertable { border-collapse: collapse; } #worstwatertable td, #worstwatertable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; } #worstwatertable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #worstwatertable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #worstwatertable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #worstwatertable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #epatable { border-collapse: collapse; } #epatable td, #epatable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; } #epatable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #epatable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #epatable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #epatable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #powertable { border-collapse: collapse; } #powertable td, #powertable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; } #powertable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #powertable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #powertable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #powertable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #waterclasstable { border-collapse: collapse; } #waterclasstable td, #waterclasstable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; } #waterclasstable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #waterclasstable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #waterclasstable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #waterclasstable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #endangered_2020_table { border-collapse: collapse; } #endangered_2020_table td, #endangered_2020_table th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; } #endangered_2020_table th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #endangered_2020_table tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #endangered_2020_table tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #endangered_2020_table a:link { cursor: pointer; } #endangered_2023_table { border-collapse: collapse; } #endangered_2023_table td, #endangered_2020_table th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; } #endangered_2023_table th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #endangered_2023_table tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #endangered_2023_table tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #endangered_2023_table a:link { cursor: pointer; } #usdamstable { border-collapse: collapse; } #usdamstable td, #usdamstable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; } #usdamstable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #usdamstable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #usdamstable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #usdamstable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #beauforttable { border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; } #beauforttable td, #beauforttable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 600; } #beauforttable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #beauforttable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #beauforttable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #beauforttable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #temptable { border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; } #temptable td, #temptable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 600; } #temptable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #temptable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #temptable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #temptable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #saffirtable { border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; } #saffirtable td, #saffirtable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 600; } #saffirtable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #saffirtable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #saffirtable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #saffirtable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #fujitatable { border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; } #fujitatable td, #fujitatable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 600; } #fujitatable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #fujitatable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #fujitatable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #fujitatable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #partsizetable { border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; } #partsizetable td, #partsizetable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 600; } #partsizetable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #partsizetable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #partsizetable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #partsizetable a:link { cursor: pointer; } #continenttable { border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; } #continenttable td, #continenttable th { border: 2px solid darkblue; padding: 2px; text-align: center; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 600; } #continenttable th { vertical-align: bottom; color: lightblue; background-color: darkblue; } #continenttable tr:nth-child(even) { color: darkblue; background-color: lightskyblue; } #continenttable tr:hover { cursor: pointer; } #continenttable a:link { cursor: pointer; } function clear_search() { document.getElementById("find_it").value = ""; } function find_definition() { // get the entered definition input_definition = document.getElementById("find_it"); check_input = input_definition.value.trim(); // no search term entered if (check_input.length == 0) { document.getElementById("find_it").value = "PLEASE ENTER A TERM"; return; } // convert input definition string to upper case input_definition = input_definition.value.toUpperCase(); // get HTML of all rows definition_table = document.getElementById("glossary_table"); var definition_rows = new Array(); definition_rows = definition_table.getElementsByTagName("dt"); definition_html = definition_rows.innerHTML; // find matching definition by row number var found_definition = 0; var found_rows = new Array(); var j = 0; for (var i = 0; i < definition_rows.length; i++) { // look for the search string by searching each row search_html = definition_rows[i].innerHTML.toUpperCase(); if (search_html.search(input_definition) >= 0) { // save the row numbers of the found definition since it can be contained in multiple rows // found_rows array holds the row numbers of the matching rows found_rows[j] = i; j++; } } // display first matching row for (var i = 0; i < found_rows.length; i++) { j = found_rows[i]; definition_rows[j].scrollIntoView(); break; } // no matches found if (found_rows.length == 0) { document.getElementById("find_it").value = "NOT FOUND"; } }
Terminology
Like other sciences, the study of water includes an extensive list of acronyms, definitions and measurement units. Many are used in atmospheric science, biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, geography, geology, hydrology, meteorology and physics. These become part of the discipline and are frequently used by experts as part of their normal commmunication. Hundreds of acronyms, definitions, images and videos appear below.
See the Credits section for sources.
Acronyms & Abbreviations
AB
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
↑
Waste Programs Division
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Feb. 10, 2015
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvsfSPQHl6
Embedded video, no copy made
AABW
Antarctic bottom waterwater that circulates from the Antarctic continental margin and sinks along the continental slope to the ocean
AAWS
analysis of assured water supplyapplied for by landowners to demonstrate physical availability of groundwater
ACC
Arizona Corporation Commission
ADEQ
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
ADHS
Arizona Department of Health Services
ADWR
Arizona Department of Water Resources
ADWT
advanced drinking water treatmentadditional engineered treatment after secondary or tertiary treatment of wastewater to remove contaminants of concern to make it acceptable for drinking water purposes
AF
acre-footvolume of water covering an acre to a depth of one foot, equal to 43,560 cubic feet or 325,851 gallons
AFFF
aqueous film fighting foama fire suppressant used to extinguish flammable liquid fires such as fuel fires
Currents that form a portion of the
Atlantic meridional overturning circulation
R. Curry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution/Science/USGCRP
Mar. 1, 2010
Wikipedia Atlantic meridional overturning circulation
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Atlantic_meridional_
overturning_circulation#/
media/File:OCP07_Fig-6.jpg
CC BY 3.0
AFY
acre-feet per year
AMA
active management areaareas with heavy reliance on mined groundwater identified and designated by the 1980 Arizona Groundwater Management Act, as the Prescott, Phoenix, Pinal, Tucson, and Santa Cruz management areas, where groundwater is subject to state regulation
AMOC
Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
AMSL
above mean sea level
AMWUA
Arizona Municipal Water Users Association
ANSAC
Arizona Navigable Streams Adjudication Commission
APEC
Advisory Panel on Emerging Contaminants
APP
aquifer protection permit
ARC
Arizona Reconsultation Committee
ASLD
Arizona State Land Department
ASR
aquifer storage and recovery
What are the three rock classifications?
ASTM
American Society for Testing and Materials
ATW
advanced treated water
AVRP
Avra Valley Recharge Project
AVWU
Arizona Virtual Water University
AWBA
Arizona Water Banking Authority
AWIA
America's Water Infrastructure Act
AWPF
Arizona Water Protection Fund
AWQS
aquifer water quality standards
AWRA
American Water Resources Association
What are Earth`s five main soil layers?
AWRC
Arizona Water Resources Committee
AWS
Assured Water Supply
AWSA
Arizona Water Settlements Act
What are the 8 Linnaean classification levels?
AWT
advanced wastewater treatmentany process that can reduce impurities in wastewater below what is attainable through conventional secondary or biological treatment
AWTF
advanced water treatment facility
AWWA
American Water Works Association
https://www.awwa.org/
AWWT
advanced wastewater treatment
What is the difference between climate and weather?
AZPDES
Arizona Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
AZMET
Arizona Meteorological Network
B↑
Pima County Green Valley wastewater
treatment facility BNROD
D. Meeks
Nov. 6, 2022
Image taken by and used with
permission of the author
BADCT
best available demonstrated control technology
BAT
best available technology achievablethe best available economically achievable performance of plants in an industrial subcategory or category
BCPA
Boulder Canyon Project Act
BCT
best conventional pollutant control technologyaddresses conventional pollutants from existing industrial point sources
BGS
below ground surface
BIA
Bureau of Indian Affairs
BIC
Buckeye Irrigation Company
BMP
best management practicesmethods that have been determined to be the most effective and practical means of preventing or reducing non-point source pollution to help achieve water quality goals
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
M. Jones
Jul. 23, 2014
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVjH9sMTpUw
Embedded video, no copy made
BNR
biological nutrient removal
BNRAS
biological nutrient removal activated sludge
BNROD
biological nutrient removal oxidation ditch
BOD
biochemical oxygen demandamount of dissolved oxygen that must be present in water in order for microorganisms to decompose the organic matter in the water, used as a measure of the degree of pollution
BOR
Bureau of Reclamation
BPT
best practicable control technologyeffluent limitations based on the average of the best performance of facilities within an industry of various ages, sizes, processes or other common characteristics
When was the International Geophysical Year?
BTU
British thermal unitthe amount of heat needed to raise one pound of water at maximum density by one degree Fahrenheit, equivalent to 1.055 x 103 joules
C↑
C2E
Conserve2Enhance
CAA
Clean Air Act
Responsible Groundwater Management
Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District
Aug. 19, 2019
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhCEPnd1xyA
Embedded video, no copy made
CAC
colloidal activated carbona material used to block PFAS from entering groundwater
CAGRD
Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District
CAIDD
Central Arizona Irrigation & Drainage District
CAP
Central Arizona Project
CAP:SAM
Central Arizona Project Surface Area Model
CASA
Conservation Alliance of Southern Arizona
CAVSARP
Central Avra Valley Storage and Recovery Project
Where is the Dominy formation?
CAWCD
Central Arizona Water Conservation District
CAWS
certificate of assured water supplyissued to landlords to demonstrate that water of sufficient quantity and quality is legally available to serve the proposed development for 100 years
CBOD
carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demandrepresents the biochemical oxygen demand from carbon-containing compounds and the oxidation of inorganic compounds such as ferrous iron and sulfide
Drinking Water Contaminant Categories
P. Cochrane
Nov. 9, 2016
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5vJ_AkBjP0
Embedded video, no copy made
CBWTP
Columbia Basin Water Transactions Program
CCC
chlorine contact chambera basin that enables chlorine to disinfect wastewater
CCF
100 cubic feet or 748 gallonstypical measure of metering for water delivery volumes for residential and commercial customers
CCL
contaminant candidate lista list of contaminants in public water systems currently not subject to proposed national primary drinking water regulations, that may concern the public
CCN
certificate of convenience and necessitya certificate issued by an agency granting a company authority to operate a public service, usually as a utility or transportation company
CCWRP
Cave Creek Water Reclamation Plant
CEC
cation exchange capacitymeasure of the soil`s ability to hold positively charged ions
What are Earth`s five layers?
CEC
contaminants of emerging concernunregulated substances often found in pharmaceutical and personal care products that end up in sewers and that cannot be totally removed by usual wastewater treatment processes
CEMS
continuous emission monitoring systems
How CFC's Deplete the Ozone Layer
Professor Davis
Jun. 16, 2014
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BM4wXCP3Vc
Embedded video, no copy made
CEP
conservation effluent pooleffluent set aside each year pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Tucson and Pima County for use in riparian restoration projects
CEQ
Council on Environmental Quality
CER
conservation efforts report, filed by large municipal water providers
CERCLA
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
CFC
chlorofluorocarboncompounds of carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, and fluorine, gases used in refrigerants and aerosol propellants, harmful to the ozone layer
CFR
Code of Federal Regulations
CHP
combined heat and power
CII
commercial, industrial and institutional
CMUSF
Cholla Mountain Underground Storage Facility
CO2e
carbon dioxide equivalentthe number of metric tons of CO2 emissions with the same global warming potential as one metric ton of another greenhouse gas
What are the Grand Canyon`s three sets of rocks?
COD
chemical oxygen demandamount of dissolved oxygen required to oxidize chemical organic materials, used to gauge the short-term impact wastewater effluents will have on the oxygen levels of receiving waters
CRAO
Compliance and Regulatory Affairs
CRBPA
Colorado River Basin Project Act
CRCN
Colorado River Commission of Nevada
Colorado River storage project
Bureau of Reclamation
Aug. 19, 2021
Interior Region 7 - Upper Colorado Basin
https://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/crsp/#
:~:text=The%201956%20act%20authorized%20
construction,purposes%20including
%2C%20regulating%20the%20Colorado
public domain
CREP
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
CRIT
Colorado River Indian Tribes
CRP
Conservation Reserve Program
CRSP
Colorado River Storage Project
CRSS
Colorado River Simulation System
CRWUA
Colorado River Water Users Association
CSIF
CAP/SRP Interconnection Facility
CTPP
Central Tucson PFAS Project
CVWD
Coachella Valley Water District
CWA
Clean Water Act
CWCCG
California Wastewater Climate Change Group
CWISA
Clean Water Indian Set Aside
CWS
community water systema public water system that supplies water to the same population for the entire year
D↑
DALY
disability adjusted life yearsage-standardized disability-adjusted life-years lost per 100,000 persons due to exposure to unsafe drinking water
DAWS
designation of assured water supplyissued to water providers to demonstrate that water of sufficient quantity and quality is legally available to serve the proposed development for 100 years
What supercontinent existed between the Precambrian eon and the Mesozoic era?
DBP
disinfection byproductsalso called trihalomethanes, formed when chlorine and bromine interact with natural organic materials in water
DBPR
Disinfection Byproduct Rules
DCDC
Decision Center for a Desert City
DCE
dichloroethanea clear, colorless liquid used to make vinyl chloride and other chemicals and as a solvent, degreaser and wetting agent
What South Pacific surface temperature anomalies influence weather on a large scale?
DCP
Drought Contingency Plan
DLCC
Desert Landscape Conservation Cooperative
DMR
Discharge Monitoring Report
Chemical structure of DNA
Madprime
Aug. 28, 2020
Wikipedia DNA
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/DNA#/
media/File:DNA_chemical_structure.svg
CC BY-SA 3.0
DNA
deoxyribonucleic acidnucleic acid containing the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms
DPB
disinfection by-productresult from chemical reactions between organic and inorganic matter in water with chemical treatment agents during the water disinfection process
DPR
direct potable reuseinvolves the treatment and distribution of water without an environmental buffer
DROP
drought response operations plan
DWID
domestic water improvement districtformed to construct or improve a domestic water delivery system or to purchase an existing domestic water delivery system
DWSRF
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
DWTF
drinking water treatment facility
E↑
EBI
Environmental Benefits Index
EIA
Energy Information Administration
EIS
environmental impact statementgovernment document that outlines the impact of a proposed project on its surrounding environment
ELG
Effluent Limitation Guidelines and Standards
ENSO
El Niño Southern Oscillation
Looking Back at 50 Years of Environmental Protection
Environmental Protection Agency
Dec. 3, 2020
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGRHCfC5oqM
Embedded video, no copy made
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
EPI
environmental performance indexuses 40 performance indicators in 11 issue categories to rank countries on climate change performance, environmental health and ecosystem vitality
ESA
Endangered Species Act
ESB
engineered storage buffer
ET
evapotranspirationprocess by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere by evaporation from the soil and other surfaces and by transpiration from plants
EWP
economic water productivitythe monetary value generated from each unit of water consumed
F↑
What are the four main elements in organic compounds?
4FRI
Four Forest Restoration Initiative
FMIC
Fort McDowell Indian Community
FPC
Federal Power Commission
FWP
Farmable Wetlands Program
G↑
Grand Canyon survey party
USGS
A Century of Watching the Colorado River
1923
https://www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/
century-watching-colorado-river
public domain
GAC
granular activated carbonmaterials that absorb thousands of organic and some inorganic materials
GCMRC
Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center
GCPA
Grand Canyon Protection Act
GDP
gross domestic producttotal monetary value of all finished goods and services produced in a country
GHG
greenhouse gasa gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation, for example carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons
GLOF
glacial lake outburst flooda flood caused by the failure of a dam containing a glacial lake
GMA
Groundwater Management Act
GPCD
gallons per capita per day
GPSS
global stratotype section and pointgeographic location that marks a geologic time period, characterized by certain fossils, the spread or extinction of certain species, a particular ice core sediment or a chemical or radioactive residue
Gila River Tribal Water
This American Land
Aug. 5, 2019
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxy-quTiUx8
Embedded video, no copy made
GRIC
Gila River Indian Community
GRMAIZ
Gila River Maintenance Area Impact Zone
GRUSP
Granite Reef Underground Storage Project
GRWS
Gila River Water Storage
GSF
groundwater savings facilityallows a permit holder to deliver renewable to a recipient who agrees to replace groundwater pumping with in lieu water, creating groundwater savings
GSI
Green Stormwater Infrastructure
GSSP
global stratotype section and pointgeographic location that marks a geologic time period, characterized by certain fossils, the spread or extinction of certain species, a particular ice core sediment or a chemical or radioactive residue
GVI
Groundwater Visibility Innitiative
Groves II Park at South Prudence Road and Poinciana Drive
Green Stormwater Infrastructure Grant Project
D. Meeks
Nov. 14, 2021
Image taken by and used with
permission of the author
GWAICC
Governor's Water Augmentation, Innovation and Conservation Council
GWh
gigawatt houra unit of energy representing one billion watt hours
GWMC
Governor's Water Management Commission
GWP
Gila Watershed Partnership
GWP
global warming potentiala measure of how much energy the emissions of 1 ton of a gas will absorb over a given period of time, relative to the emissions of 1 ton of carbon dioxide
GWR
Ground Water Rule
GWUDI
groundwater under the direct influence of surface water
H↑
HACCP
hazard analysis and critical control points
What is the most common igneous plutonic rock?
HAMP
Hopi Arsenic Mitigation Project
HCP
habitat conservation planpart of an application for a project that might result in the destruction of an endangered or threatened species
HFPO-DA
hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acida chemical used in manufacturing materials used to protect wires
Dr. Jerry Howard speaks on Hohokam Irrigation
Arizona Experience
Jan. 24, 2013
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__iTRVsIzEQ
Embedded video, no copy made
HIDD
Hohokam Irrigation & Drainage District
HRT
hydraulic retention timethe ratio between the reactor volume and the feed flow rate, represents the average time the cells and substrates stay inside the reactor
I↑
IBWC
International Boundary and Water Commission
ICS
intentionally created surplusallows California, Nevada and Arizona to store water in Lake Mead if they conserve the same amount of water within their state that could be used instead
IGA
intergovernmental agreementan agreement authorized by state statute between two or more governmental entities that provides for joint action or joint exercise of governmental powers
IGFR
irrigation grandfathered rightsowned by the owner of the land to which it belongs and may be leased for an irrigation use with the land to which it belongs
What era occurred between the Paleozoic and Cenozoic eras?
IGY
International Geophysical Year
IHS
Indian Health Service
IID
Imperial Irrigation District
IIWQ
International Initiative on Water Quality
Approximately 78% of Earth`s atmosphere is what gas?
INA
irrigation non-expansion areaarea designated to protect existing agriculture where groundwater is the principal water source
IPR
indirect potable reuseuses an environmental buffer, such as a lake, river or a groundwater aquifer before the water is treated at a drinking water treatment plant
ITCA
Intertribal Council of Arizona
ITCZ
Intertropical Convergence Zonearea where the northeast and the southeast trade winds converge, encircling Earth near the thermal equator
IUCN
International Union for Conservation of Nature
IWC
Industrial Wastewater Control
IX
ion exchangea reversible exchange of an ion with another of the same charge to demineralize water or separate materials
Kino Environmental Restoration Project (KERP)
D. Meeks
Mar. 20, 2023
Image taken by and used with
permission of the author
CC BY-SA 4.0
IWRM
integrated resource water management
J↑
K↑
KERP
Kino Environmental Restoration Project
L↑
LBCDP
Lower Basin Drought Contingency Plan
LCNCA
Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
LCRBDF
Lower Colorado River Basin Development Fund
LCR MSCP
Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program
The Santa Cruz River flows north as seen
from Sentinel Peak in Tucson in the early 1900's
Arizona Historical Society
Image and caption used with
permission of and provided via
email by the Arizona Historical Society
LOSC
Law of the Sea Convention
LSCMRP
Lower Santa Cruz River Managed Recharge Project
LT1ESWTR
Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
LTSC
long term storage creditscredits are earned when water is stored or banked underground for more than one year
LTWA
long term water augmentation fundcreated to finance water supply development projects to increase Arizona's water supply
M↑
MAD
management allowable depletiondesired soil-water deficit at the time of irrigation
MAG
Maricopa Association of Governments
MAR
managed aquifer rechargeconsists of water management methods that recharge an aquifer using either surface or underground recharge techniques
How is non-potable water reused?
MCFCD
Maricopa County Flood Control District
MCL
maximum contaminant levelthe maximum concentration of a chemical that is allowed in public drinking water systems
MCLG
maximum contaminant level goalsthe maximum level of a contaminant in drinking water at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons would occur
MDC
minimum detectable concentrationthe net concentration that has a specified chance of being detected, an estimate of the detection capability of a measuring system
What is the Ten Tribes Partnership?
MDL
method detection limitthe minimum measured concentration of a substance that can be reported with 99% confidence that the measured concentration is distinguishable from method blank results
MG
million gallons
MGD
million gallons per day
MHPERP
Marana High Plains Effluent Recharge Project
MLSS
mixed liquor suspended solidsconcentration of suspended solids, in an aeration tank during the activated sludge process, which occurs during the treatment of waste water
MLVSS
mixed liquor volatile suspended solidsthe amount of organic or volatile suspended solids in the mixed liquor of an aeration tank, used as a measure or indication of the microorganisms present
Mm3
million cubic meters
MOF
metal-organic frameworks, crystalline compounds consisting of rigid, porous organic molecules
MPA
marine protected areas that include marine sanctuaries, estuarine research reserves, ocean parks and marine wildlife refuges
MRDLG
maximum residual disinfectant level goals
MRL
method reporting limitthe minimum concentration of a contaminant reported after analyzing a sample, determined after corrections have been made for sample dilution and sample weight
MSIDD
Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation & Drainage District
MWD
Metropolitan Water District
N↑
NAFF
Northern Arizona Forest Fund
NAICS
North American Industry Classification System
NAMWUA
Northern Arizona Municipal Water Users Association
NAPI
Navajo Agricultural Products Industry
NCS
new conservation space
ND
not detected
NEMO
Nonprofit Education for Municipal Officials
NEPA
National Environmental Policy Act
NF
nanofiltrationa membrane liquid-separation technology that removes multivalent ions
NFPP
National Fish Passage Program
NFWF
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
NGO
non-governmental organizationa nonprofit organization operating independently of any government, and typically addressing environmental, social or political issues
NGVIDD
North Gila Valley Irrigation & Drainage District
NGWA
National Groundwater Association
NIA
Non-Indian agricultural
NIB
Northerly international Boundarylimitrophe above the Morales Dam 1.1 miles downstream from the California-Baja California land boundary between Los Algodones and Yuma County
NIWTP
Nogales International Wastewater Treatment Plant
Components of an NPDES permit
EPA
Feb. 14, 2017
Wikipedia Clean Water Acthttps://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Clean_Water_Act#/
media/File:NPDES_Permit
_Components_EPA_chart.png
public domain
NPDES
National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
NPDWR
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
NRA
National Reclamation Act
NRCS
Natural Resources Conservation Service
NSPS
new sources standards of performancereflect effluent reductions based on the best available demonstrated control technology
NTNCWS
non-transient non-community water systema public water system that regularly supplies water to at least 25 of the same people at least six months per year, includes schools, factories, office buildings and hospitals which have their own water systems
NTU
nephelometric turbidity unitunit that expresses water turbidity
NWRI
National Water Research Institute
O↑
O&M
operations & maintenance
ODUSF
Olberg Dam Underground Storage Facility
ORV
outstanding remarkable valuesa river-related value must be a unique, rare, or exemplary feature that is significant at a comparative regional or national scale, and can be scenic, recreational, geological, fish-related, wildlife-related, historic, cultural, botanical, hydrological, paleontological, scientific or other value
P↑
PAG
Pima Association of Governments
PAH
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsa class of chemicals found in coal, crude oil, and gasoline that can cause a variety of negative health effects, including cancer
PCBs
polychlorinated biphenylsgroup of synthetic, toxic industrial chemicals that were banned in 1979 with the Toxic Substances Control Act
PDO
Pacific Decadal Oscillationa long-term ocean fluctuation of the Pacific Ocean which waxes and wanes approximately every 20 to 30 years
Central Tucson PFAS Project
City of Tucson and Tucson Water
Jan. 19, 2022
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPxJoWpnJPc
Embedded video, no copy made
PFAS
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substancesa group of man-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other chemicals
PFBS
perfluorobutanesulfonic acida stable and unreactive chemical compound that can occur in the form of a colorless liquid or a corrosive solid
PFHxS
perfluorohexanesulfonic acidan anionic fluorosurfactant and a persistent organic pollutant that accumulates in animals including humans
PFNA
perfluorononanoic acida synthetic perfluorinated carboxylic acid and fluorosurfactant that is also an environmental contaminant found in people and wildlife
PFOA
perfluorooctanoic acida manufactured perfluorochemical and a byproduct in producing fluoropolymers
PFOS
perfluorooctane sulfonatea chemical used in stain-resistant fabrics, fire-fighting foams, food packaging and as a surfactant in industrial processes
PIA
practically irrigable acreagethe place of use of an undeveloped water right claim of an allottee, or the transferee of an allottee, as determined in the Klamath Adjudication
PJ
petajoulea unit of energy equal to one million billion joules
POTW
publicly owned treatment workssystems used to store, treat, recycle, or reclaim municipal wastewater or industrial liquid wastes owned by a state, municipality, sewer district or other public entity
PPR
present perfect rightsColorado River water rights existing as of June 25, 1929
PQGWP
poor quality groundwater withdrawal permit
PRB
permeable reactive barrieran inground wall which removes impurities from water that passes through it
PSES
pretreatment standards for existing sourcesnational, uniform, technology-based standards that apply to indirect dischargers
PSNS
pretreatment standards for new sourcesnational, uniform, technology-based standards that apply to new indirect dischargers
PSWL
Protected Surface Waters List
Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station
Oct. 25, 2019
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8hvJagZAkw
Embedded video, no copy made
PVC
polyvinyl chloridehigh strength thermoplastic material widely used in pipes, medical devices, wire and cable insulation
PVID
Palo Verde Irrigation District
PVNGS
Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station
PWDS
potable water distribution system
PWS
Payment for Watershed Service
PWS
public water systema system that provides water to the public for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances, if that system has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves at least 25 individuals
Q↑
QMRA
quantitative microbial risk assessment
QSA
quantification settlement agreement
R↑
RAAC
Riparian Area Advisory Committee
RAPIDS
Research and Planning Innovations for Dryland Systems
Advanced Water Treatment Plant: Reverse Osmosis
Scottsdale Water
Sep. 5, 2019
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWYMXE5SOrI
Embedded video, no copy made
RAS
return activated sludgesettled activated sludge that is collected in the secondary clarifier or the membrane basin and returned to the aeration basin to mix with incoming raw or primary settled wastewater
RFCD
Regional Flood Control District
RICE
reciprocating internal combustion engineengine that uses gas expnasion and increased pressure from fuel combustion to move pistons
RID
Roosevelt Irrigation District
RNA
ribonucleic acidconverting genetic information from genes into the amino acid sequences of proteins
RO
reverse osmosiswhen a solvent passes through a porous membrane in the direction opposite to that for natural osmosis when subjected to a hydrostatic pressure greater than the osmotic pressure
ROMP
Regional Optimization Master Plan
RRT
response retention time
What is the most common sedimentary rock?
RTCR
Revised Total Coliform Rule
RWCD
Roosevelt Water Conservation District
RWRD
Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department
S↑
SAG
Stakeholder Advisory Group
Southern Avra Valley storage and recovery project
near Sandario and Snyder Hill roads
City of Tucson
2023
https://www.tucsonaz.gov/water/savsarp
public domain
SAPCO
Sustainable Action Plan for County Operations
SAT
soil aquifer treatmentuse of the physical, chemical, and microbiological properties of the soil and the aquifer to provide treatment of water introduced into the groundwater system
SAVSARP
Southern Avra Valley Storage and Recovery Project
SAWARA
Southern Arizona Water Resources Association
SAWRSA
Southern Arizona Water Rights Settlement Act
SAWUA
Southern Arizona Water Users Association
SCADA
supervisory control and data acquisition system
SCAPR
Steering Committee for Arizona Potable Reuse
Pima County Wastewater Reclamation SCADA System
Pima County Arizona
Oct. 20, 2015
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or1fPAtqJk0
Embedded video, no copy made
SCIDD
San Carlos Irrigation & Drainage District
SCIP
San Carlos Irrigation Project
SDWA
Safe Drinking Water Act
SDG
sustainable development goals
SEIS
supplemental environmental impact statement
SFC
Sanitation Facilities Construction
SHARP
Southeastern Houghton Area Recharge Project
Southeast Houghton Area Recharge Facility (SHARP)
Tucson Water
City of Tucson
https://www.tucsonaz.gov/water/SHARP
Used with written permission of Tucson Water
SIB
Southerly international Boundarylocated across the land border near San Luis, Arizona and including water below the Morales Dam
SNWA
Southern Nevada Water Authority
SPCZ
South Pacific Convergence Zonea west-northwest to east-southeast aligned trough extending from the west Pacific warm pool southeastwards towards French Polynesia
SROG
Sub-Regional Operating Group
SRP
Salt River Project
SRPAIPD
Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District
SRPMIC
Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community
SRT
solids retention timethe time the solid fraction of the wastewater spends in a treatment unit
SRVWUA
Salt River Valley Water Users' Association
SRP's Rich History and Fertile Future in Arizona
Salt River Project
Oct. 16, 2017
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaL45FXY_c0
Embedded video, no copy made
SS
suspended solidssmall solid particles which remain in suspension in water as a colloid or due to motion of the water
SSO
sanitary sewer overflow
SVAPD
Sonoita Valley Acquisition Planning District
SVI
sludge volume indexa number accounting for 30-minute settleability test result and the activated sludge mixed liquor suspended solids test result that describes the ability of the sludge to settle and compact
SWE
snow water equivalentamount of water contained in snowpack that would theoretically appear if the snow were melted
SWIFT
Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow
SWPP
Surface Water Protection Program
Stormwater Pollution Prevention General Awareness
UCI Environmental Health & Safety
Jan. 9, 2020
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxVmwTNAHgE
Embedded video, no copy made
SWPPP
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
SWTR
Surface Water Treatment Rules
T↑
TAAP
Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program
TAMA
Tucson Active Management Area
TARP
Tucson Airport Remediation Project
TCE
trichloroethylenea colorless liquid with a chloroform-like odor
TDS
total dissolved solidsdescribe the inorganic salts and small amounts of organic matter present in solution in water
THM
trihalomethanederivatives of methane, such as chloroform, that have three halogen atoms per molecule and can be formed during the chlorination of drinking water
TKN
total Kjedahl nitrogena method for determining the amount of nitrogen contained in organic substances plus the nitrogen contained in the inorganic compounds ammonia and ammonium
Tribes, Power, and Water
Our Land
Sep. 11, 2020
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcTmbnBZwsc
Embedded video, no copy made
TMDL
total maximum daily loada regulatory term in the U.S. Clean Water Act, describing a plan for restoring impaired waters that identifies the maximum amount of a pollutant that a body of water can receive while still meeting water quality standards
TNC
The Nature Conservancy
TNCWS
transient non-community water systema public water system that provides water in a place such as a gas station or campground where people do not remain for long periods of time
TNW
traditionally navigable waterthose waters that are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide and/or are presently used, or have been used in the past, or may be susceptible for use to transport interstate or foreign commerce
TRIF
Technology and Research Initiative
TSS
total suspended solidsrefers to waterborne particles larger than 2 microns in size
TTP
Ten Tribes Partnership
TWh
terawatt houra unit of energy equal to one trillion watt hours
TWS
Tribal Water Study
U↑
UCMR
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule
Advanced Water Treatment Plant: Ultrafiltration
Scottsdale Water
Sep. 5, 2019
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTfJFNTE0TI
Embedded video, no copy made
UF
ultrafiltrationpressure-driven barrier to suspended solids, bacteria, viruses, endotoxins and other pathogens to produce water with very high purity and low silt density
UHI
urban heat islandan urban area or metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas due to human activities
UIC
underground injection control
UNDRIP
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People
UNDRR
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNPFII
United Nations Permanent Forum on Indiginouse Issues
UOC
unspecified organic contaminants
USBR
United States Bureau of Reclamation
USDW
underground sources of drinking water
USF
underground storage facilitya location to recharge water through shallow constructed infiltration basins, a river or stream bed used as infiltration medium or an injection well
USGS
United States Geological Survey
USRP
Underground Storage and Recovery Program
USSFWS
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
UWS
Underground Water Storage, Savings, and Replenishment Act
V↑
VESP
Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program
VOC
volatile organic compoundsorganic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature
W↑
WAS
waste activated sludgethe excess quantity of microorganisms that must be removed from a process to keep the biological system in balance
WASH
water, sanitation and hygiene
WCE
water conveyance efficiencythe volume of water that reaches the farm relative to that diverted from the source
WDUA
water delivery and use agreement
WEDSF
Water, Economic Development and Sustainability Fund
WEF
Water Environment Federation
Water Education Today
Project WET
Jul. 21, 2020
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvqaKzCQbTg
Embedded video, no copy made
WET
Water Education for Teachers
WETF
Water Efficiency Task Force
WIFA
Water Infrastructure Finance Authority
WMAP
Water Management Assistance Program
WMAT
White Mountain Apache Tribe
WMIDD
Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District
WOTUS
Waters of the United States
WPCF
Water Pollution Control Federation
WQARF
Water Quality Assurance Revolving Fund
WQBEL
water quality-based effluent limits
WQD
Water Quality Division
WRAF
water resources acquisition feesfees paid by new developments for their proportionate share of the costs associated with making water supplies available
WRAP
Water Reuse Action Plan
WRDC
Water Resources Development Commission
WRF
water reclamation facility
WRRC
Water Resources Research Center
WRRF
WateReuse Research Foundation
WSDRF
Water Supply Development Revolving Fund
WSF
water sustainability program
WSG
Water Supply Guideance Manual
Agua Nueva Water Reclamation Facility
Pima County Arizona
Apr. 16, 2019
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcR2bzcSQ5o
Embedded video, no copy made
WSRA
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
WTI
Water & Tribes Initiative
WUCA
Water Utility Climate Alliance
WUE
water use efficiencythe ratio of water used in plant metabolism to water lost by the plant through transpiration
WWTP
waste water treatment plant
X↑
Y↑
YCWUA
Yuma County Water Users' Association
YDP
Yuma Desalting Plant
YID
Yuma Irrigation District
YMIDD
Yuma Mesa Irrigation and Drainage District
Z↑
AB
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
↑
absolute humidity
measure of the actual amount of water vapor in the air, regardless of air temperature
abyssal hill
a hill that rises from the sea floor
abyssal plain
an underwater plain on the deep ocean floor
abyssopelagic zone
from the bottom of the bathypelagic to the seafloor, characterized by a relative lack of life
acequia
gravity-driven waterway similar to a flume
acid
refers to a substance with a pH less than 7
acid rain
rain with low pH
Volume of one acre-foot
CBurnett
Mar. 26, 2007
Wikipedia acre-foot
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Acre-foot#/media/
File:Acre_foot.svg
CC BY-SA 3.0
acre-foot (AF)
volume of water covering an acre to a depth of one foot, equal to 43,560 cubic feet or 325,851 gallons
activated carbon
purified powdered charcoal
activated sludge
a process with high concentration of bacteria, protozoa and fungi, kept in suspension by stirring, to remove organic matter from wastewater
active management area (AMA)
areas with heavy reliance on mined groundwater identified and designated by the 1980 Arizona Groundwater Management Act, as the Prescott, Phoenix, Pinal, Tucson, and Santa Cruz management areas, where groundwater is subject to state regulation
active storage system
stores water for on-demand need
adaptation
changes that enable an organism or species to become better suited to its environment
adhesion
sticking to a surface or object
Agricultural calendar, c. 1470
from a manuscript of Pietro de Crescenzi
Master of the Geneva Boccaccio
1470
Wikipedia agriculture
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Agriculture#/media/
File:Crescenzi_calendar.jpg
public domain
advanced drinking water treatment (ADWT)
additional engineered treatment after secondary or tertiary treatment of wastewater to remove contaminants of concern to make it acceptable for drinking water purposes
advanced oxidation
use of ozone, ultraviolet light and hydrogen peroxide to for pathogen disinfection and organic contaminant removal
advanced wastewater treatment (AWT)
any process that can reduce impurities in wastewater below what is attainable through conventional secondary or biological treatment
advection
movement of water through the atmosphere
aeolian
related to or produced by wind
age
smallest geochronologic unit
agriculture
the science or practice of farming
albedo
proportion of the incident light or radiation that is reflected by a surface
alchemy
the medieval forerunner of chemistry, based on the supposed transformation of matter, mainly concerned with attempts to convert base metals into gold
alkali
a chemical compound that neutralizes or effervesces with acids, a caustic or corrosive substance such as lime or soda
alkaline
refers to a substance with a pH greater than 7
alluvial fan
a fan-shaped mass of deposited material atthe mouth of a river or stream
alluvial plain
a largely flat landform created by the deposition of sediment over a long period of time by one or more rivers coming from highland regions, from which alluvial soil forms
alluvium
a deposit of clay, silt, sand, and gravel left by flowing streams in a river valley or delta, typically producing fertile soil
alpha particle
a positively charged nuclear particle identical with the nucleus of a helium atom that consists of two protons and two neutrons
Aluminum
Periodic Table of Videos
May 11, 2014
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AhZ8503WPs
Embedded video, no copy made
altimeter
an instrument that measures altitude
altocumulus
cloud forming a layer of rounded masses with a level base, occurring at medium altitude, usually 6,500 to 23,000 feet (2 to 7 km)
aluminosilicate
a silicate in which aluminum replaces some of the silicon, especially a rock-forming mineral such as a feldspar or a clay mineral
aluminum
a silver-white malleable, conductive, light metallic chemical element that resists weathering, and is the most common metal in Earth's crust
alveolate
member of a grouping of protists comprising the ciliates, sporozoa and dinoflagellates
amino acid
a simple organic compound containing both a carboxyl (-COOH) and an amino (-NH2) group
ammonia (NH3)
a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen
ammonium
a cation obtained by protonation of ammonia
amoeba
a type of cell or unicellular organism which has the ability to alter its shape, primarily by extending and retracting pseudopods
Hutton's angular unconformity at
Siccar Point where 345-million-year-old
Devonian old red sandstone overlies
425-million-year-old Silurian greywacke
D. Souza
Apr. 2, 2008
Wikipedia unconformity
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Unconformity#/media/
File:Siccar_Point
_red_capstone_closeup.jpg
CC BY-SA 4.0
amphibole (SiO4)
an important group of inosilicate minerals, forming prism or needlelike crystals
amphibolite
a granular metamorphic rock consisting mainly of hornblende and plagioclase
amphitheater
a level area surrounded by upward sloping ground
amphoteric
refers to a substance able to react both as a base and as an acid, such as water
anaerobic
relating to, involving, or requiring an absence of free oxygen
analysis of assured water supply (AAWS)
applied for by landowners to demonstrate physical availability of groundwater
andesite
a dark, fine-grained, brown or grayish volcanic rock that is intermediate in composition between rhyolite and basalt
aneroid barometer
device for measuring atmospheric pressure without the use of fluids
angular unconformity
landform structure created by deposition, uplift, erosion and renewed deposition
anhydrous
refers to substances that do not contain water
The Trinity test in July 1945
has been proposed as the start of the Anthropocene
B. Brixner
Jul. 16, 1945
Wikipedia Anthropocene
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Anthropocene#/media/
File:Trinity_Test_Fireball_16ms.jpg
public domain
anion
a negatively charged ion
anion exchange
a method for removing PFAS from water
Antarctic bottom water (AABW)
water that circulates from the Antarctic continental margin and sinks along the continental slope to the ocean
antecedent river
a river whose path of flow within a valley was established before the mountainous structure was uplifted
Anthropocene
describes the time during which humans have had a substantial impact on our planet
anthropogenic
related to human activity
anthropomorphic
described or thought of as having a human form or human attributes
anticline
a ridge-shaped fold of stratified rock in which the strata slope downward from the crest, often dome-shaped
anticyclone
a weather system with high atmospheric center pressure, circulates in a clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere, associated with good weather
antimeridian
the meridian 180o both east and west of the prime meridian in a geographical coordinate system
antimony
a lustrous gray metalloid, found in nature mainly as the sulfide mineral stibnite
aphanitic
name given to certain igneous rocks that are so fine-grained that their component mineral crystals are not detectable by the unaided eye
Aragonite is fluorescent
H. Zell
Aug. 2, 2013
Wikipedia aragonite
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Aragonite#/media/
File:Aragonit_-_Fluorescence.gif
CC BY-SA 3.0
application efficiency
the depth of water required relative to the amount of water applied in a single irrigation event
aquaculture
raising and harvesting of living creatures found in water environments
aqueduct
a channel used to transport water from a remote source using gravity
aqueous
of or containing water, typically as a solvent
aqueous film fighting foam
a fire suppressant used to extinguish flammable liquid fires such as fuel fires
aquifer
a body of permeable rock which can contain or transmit groundwater
aquifer compaction
soil compression resulting from the extraction of groundwater
arable
used or suitable for growing crops
Artesian wells can bring water to the land surface naturally
USGS
https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/artesian-wells
-can-bring-water-land-surface-naturally
public domain
aragonite
a mineral consisting of calcium carbonate, typically occurring in white seashells and as colorless prisms in deposits in hot springs
arch
a horizontal geologic structure formed by weathering processes, rather than flowing water, that cut through rock to create a large opening
archaeology
the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains
archipelago
an area that contains a chain or group of islands scattered in lakes, rivers or the ocean
argillaceous
consisting of or containing clay
argillic horizon
A mineral soil horizon that is characterized by accumulation of silicate clays
aridification
the gradual change of a region from a wetter to a drier climate
arroyo
a steep-sided gully formed by fast-flowing water in an arid or semi-arid region
arsenic
a solid chemical element that is used especially in wood preservatives, alloys, and semiconductors and is extremely toxic in both pure and combined forms
artesian aquifer
an aquifer containing trapped water surrounded by layers of imperiable rocks or clay
artesian well
well in which water flows to the land surface because pressure from underground rocks force it to the surface
arthropod
an invertebrate animal, including insects, arachnids, and crustaceans, having a segmented body, jointed limbs and a shell of chitin that is shed periodically
artificial recharge
taking deliberate action to add water to an aquifer
Earth's atmosphere seen from space
International Space Station, Expedition, Crew 13/NASA
A. Demas
Jul. 20, 2006
https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/
bryce-canyon-amphitheater-hoodoos
public domain
assured water supply
a water supply that is sustainable for a minimum of 100 years, meets water quality standards, can deliver the promised supply and is consistent with AMA management plans and goals
astatine
a radioactive halogen discovered by bombarding bismuth with alpha particles and also formed by radioactive decay
asthenosphere
ductile region of the upper mantle, lies below the lithosphere at a depth between 80 and 200 km, extending as deep as 700 km
atmosphere
the layer of gases surrounding a planet or moon
atmospheric circulation
the large-scale movement of air and together with ocean circulation by which thermal energy is redistributed on the surface of the Earth
atmospheric river
long, concentrated atmospheric region that moves moist air from the tropics to higher latitudes, producing heavy rain and snow
atom
a basic unit of a chemical element
Heron Island, part of Australia's Great Barrier Reef
Ciambue
Jul. 30, 2011
Wikipedia Great Barrier Reef
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Great_Barrier_Reef#/media/
File:Heron_Island.jpg
CC BY 2.0
atomic number
the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the chemical properties of an element and its place in the periodic table
auxiliary spillway
built for emergency release of water to prevent damage to a dam
avalanche
a mass of snow, ice and rock falling down the side of a mountain
axial tilt
the 23o tilt of Earth's axis relative to the plane of its orbit around the Sun
B↑
bacteria
members of a group of single-celled microorganisms with cell walls, no organelles and an organized nucleus, some cause diseases
badland
extensive tracts of heavily eroded, uncultivable land with little vegetation
bajada
a broad alluvial slope from the base of a mountain range into a basin formed by joined alluvial fans
Barium
Periodic Table of Videos
Jun. 30, 2011
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9srJdQU3NOo
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Bardenpho process
a four or five stage process that removes nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater
barium
a silver-white metallic element used in drilling fluid and vacuum tubes, and as a contrast agent in medical imaging
barometric
relating to measurementof atmospheric pressure
barrier reef
a coral reef running parallel to the shore but separated from it by a channel of deep water
basalt
a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that sometimes displays a columnar structure, typically composed largely of plagioclase with pyroxene and olivine
base
a chemical species that donates electrons, accepts protons, or releases hydroxide ions in aqueous solution
Basalt, a fine-grained igneous rock
Unknown author
Jan. 8, 2005
Wikipedia basalt
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Basalt#/media/
File:BasaltUSGOV.jpg
public domain
baseflow
the flow of water from the seepage of groundwater or throughflow into the surface of a river, lake or stream
base level
lowest level to which running water can flow and erode
baseline
a survey line that is used to coordinate other survey measurements
basement
crystalline rocks lying above the mantle and beneath all other rocks and sediments
basic sector
the primary markets for locally produced goods and services lay outside of that county
basin
a land area that drains into a common outlet
basin sweep
systematic collection of well water, groundwater and water quality data by ADWR
batholith
a large mass of intrusive igneous rock larger than 100 square kilometers that forms from cooled magma deep in Earth's crust
bathypelagic zone
lower open ocean, starts at the bottom of the mesopelagic and stretches down to 4000 m (13,000 feet)
Beaufort Scale
wind
force
description
wind speed
in km/h
wind speed
in miles/hr
wave height
in m
0
calm
1
1
0.0
1
light air
1-5
1-3
0.1
2
light breeze
6-11
4-7
0.2
3
gentle breeze
12-19
8-12
0.6
4
moderate breeze
20-28
13-18
1.0
5
fresh breeze
29-38
19-24
2.0
6
strong breeze
39-49
25-31
3.0
7
near gale
50-61
32-38
4.0
8
gale
62-74
39-46
5.5
9
strong gale
75-88
47-54
7.0
10
storm
89-102
55-63
9.0
11
violent storm
103-117
64-72
11.5
12
hurricane
118+
73+
+14
Source: Royal Meteorological Society,
https://www.rmets.org/metmatters/beaufort-wind-scale
bay
a water body partially surrounded by land and by another water body
bayou
a marsh-like outlet of a lake or river
Beaufort scale
an experimental measure that relates wind speed to observed conditions at sea or on land
bedding plane
the surface that separates each successive layer of a stratified rock from its preceding layer
bedrock
solid rock underlying loose deposits such as soil or alluvium
bench
a flat narrow platform of land
benthic
anything associated with or occurring on the bottom of a body of water
benthos zone
where organisms live on the ocean floor
bentonite
clay generated from the alteration of volcanic ash, consisting predominantly of smectite minerals, usually montmorillonite
beryllium
a steel-gray, light, brittle chemical element that occurs naturally in beryl used as a hardening agent in alloys
Beryllium
Periodic Table of Videos
Jan. 1, 2009
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best available technology achievable (BAT)
the best available economically achievable performance of plants in an industrial subcategory or category
best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT)
addresses conventional pollutants from existing industrial point sources
best management practices (BMP)
methods that have been determined to be the most effective and practical means of preventing or reducing non-point source pollution to help achieve water quality goals
best practicable control technology (BPT)
effluent limitations based on the average of the best performance of facilities within an industry of various ages, sizes, processes or other common characteristics
bicarbonate
a salt of carbonic acid containing the ion HCO3-
bimodal precipitation
a wet season with two rainfall peaks that are separated by at least one dry month
biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
amount of dissolved oxygen that must be present in water in order for microorganisms to decompose the organic matter in the water, used as a measure of the degree of pollution
biochemical sedimentary rock
formed from shells and bodies of underwater organisms
biological treatment
using bacteria and other microorganisms to remove organic materials including nitrate and nitrite
biology
the study of living organisms, divided into many specialized fields that cover their morphology, physiology, anatomy, behavior, origin, and distribution
A bioluminescent creature
NOAA
Feb. 26, 2021
What is Bioluminescence?
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/
facts/biolum.html
public domain
bioluminescence
biochemical emission of light by living organisms such as fireflies and deep-sea fish
biomagnification
build up of toxins in a food chain
biomass
total quantity or weight of organisms in a given area or volume
biomatter
mass of living matter within a given area
biosolids
organic matter recycled from sewage
biosphere
the regions of the surface, atmosphere, and hydrosphere occupied by living organisms
Bismuth
Periodic Table of Videos
Aug. 13, 2008
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyIo-c7VmIM
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biota
animal and plant life of a particular region, habitat, or geological period
biotite
a silicate mineral also called black mica, abundant in metamorphic rocks, in pegmatites, granites and other intrusive igneous rocks
biped
an animal which has two feet
bismuth
a metallic element that is used in alloys, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
black smoker
a hydrothermal vent that emits a black material
blowdown water
water discharged from a cooling tower to control mineral and impurity buildup in recirculating water
A black smoker on the East Pacific Rise
W.R. Normark & D. Foster
Jan. 1, 1981
Wikipedia hydrothermal vent
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Hydrothermal_vent#/
media/File:BlackSmoker.jpg
public domain
blue water
in water balancing, refers to surface and groundwater available for irrigation, urban and industrial use and environmental flows
bog
wet muddy ground too soft to support a heavy body
bomb cyclone
a powerful, rapidly intensifying storm associated with a sudden and significant drop in atmospheric pressure
bombogenesis
explosive development of a cyclone
Bowen's reaction series
the sequence of crystallization of common silicate minerals from typical basaltic magma
brachiopod
animal with a hard valve on its upper and lower surface
brackish water
having more salinity than fresh water, but not as much as seawater
Alamitos Bay, California breakwater
USGS
Jun. 10, 2010
Wikipedia breakwater (structure)
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Breakwater_(structure)
#/media/File:Breakwater
_break1_new(USGS).jpg
public domain
braided river
a network of river channels separated by small islands or bars
breakwater
a barrier built out into a body of water to protect a coast or harbor from the force of waves
breccia
a rock made of cemented, angular fragments
bridge
a horizontal geologic structure formed by flowing water that cut through rock to create a large opening
brine
water with a high salt content
brine management
discharging brine to sewers, surface water, injection wells, or sending it to environmental service providers
British thermal unit (BTU)
the amount of heat needed to raise one pound of water at maximum density by one degree Fahrenheit, equivalent to 1.055 x 103 joules
Bromine
Periodic Table of Videos
Dec. 1, 2009
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bromine
a nonmetallic halogen used in the production of flame retardants and in swimming pools
brook
a small stream
bryzoan
a non-moving aquatic invertebrate of the phylum Bryozoa which comprises of the moss animals
buoyancy
ability or tendency to float in water or air or some other fluid
butte
a hill that rises abruptly from the surrounding area and has sloping or vertical sides and a flat top
C↑
Factory Butte, Utah
J. Menard
Sep. 17, 2008
Wikipedia Factory Butte
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Factory_Butte#/media/
File:Scenery_north_of_
Hanksville,_Utah.jpg
CC BY-SA 2.0
cablegation
a modified gated pipe system using a moving plug attached by a cable inside the pipe to deliver water sequentially to furrows, starting with a large initial surge of water that then declines in volume
cadastral location
refers to a method of locating land according to a rectangular coordinate system
cadmium
a soft, malleable, bluish white metal found in zinc ores
calcite
a white or colorless mineral consisting of calcium carbonate, a major component of sedimentary rocks such as limestone, marble, and chalk, can occur in crystalline form and may be deposited in caves to form stalactites and stalagmites
calcium
the chemical element of atomic number 20, a soft gray metal
calcium carbonate
a white insoluble solid occurring naturally as chalk, limestone, marble and calcite, forming mollusk shells and stony corals
Calcium
Periodic Table of Videos
Dec. 13, 2010
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9fuY8_ffFg
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caldera
a bowl-shaped depression that forms when a volcano collapses
caliche
a mineral deposit of gravel, sand and nitrates that forms extremely hard soil
calving glacier
a glacier that ends in a body of water into which it drops icebergs
canal
a waterway constructed to transport water
capillary action
the movement of water within the spaces of a porous material due to the forces of adhesion, cohesion and surface tension
capillary attraction
the tendency of a liquid in a narrow tube to rise as a result of surface forces
Carbon
Periodic Table of Videos
Mar. 16, 2011
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carbon
chemical element of atomic number 6, a nonmetal which has two main forms, diamond and graphite, and which also occurs in impure form in charcoal, soot and coal
carbon dioxide (CO2)
a colorless, odorless, incombustible greenhouse gas
carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)
the number of metric tons of CO2 emissions with the same global warming potential as one metric ton of another greenhouse gas
carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD)
represents the biochemical oxygen demand from carbon-containing compounds and the oxidation of inorganic compounds such as ferrous iron and sulfide
carbonate
a salt of the anion CO32-, typically by reaction with carbon dioxide
carbon credit
a permit which allows production of a certain amount of carbon emissions which can be traded if the full allowance is not used
carbon dioxide removal
process in which carbon dioxide gas is removed from the atmosphere by human activities and stored in geological, terrestrial or ocean reservoirs or in products
carbonic acid (H2CO3)
a very weak acid formed in solution when carbon dioxide dissolves in water
Carboniferous
a geologic period and system that spans 60 million years from the end of the Devonian Period 358.9 million years ago, to the beginning of the Permian Period, 298.9 million years ago, famous for its vast swamp forests
What is the most common metamorphic rock?
carbon neutrality
a state of net zero carbon dioxide emissions
carbon sequestration
the process of storing atmospheric carbon dioxide in a carbon pool
carbon tax
a tax on carbon emissions required to produce goods and services
carrying capacity
threshold level of water resources at which an environment is capable of supporting human activities
Casa Grande soil
a variety common Arizona soil with high clay content and a lot of salt
castellated
having structures similar to the battlements on a castle
cataclasite
a cohesive granular fault rock
catastrophism
the theory that changes in Earth's crust during geological history have resulted from sudden violent and unusual events
catchment basin
the entire geographical area drained by a river and its tributaries
cation
a positively charged ion
cation exchange capacity (CEC)
measure of the soil`s ability to hold positively charged ions
CCF
100 cubic feet or 748 gallons, typical measure of metering for water delivery volumes for residential and commercial customers
Celsius
temperature scale where the freezing point of water is represented by 0oC and the boiling point of water is represented by 100oC, equivalent to the centigrade temperature scale
Cenozoic
began about 65 million years ago and continues into the present, is the third documented era in the history of Earth
center pivot system
a self-propelled electronic or hydraulic continuously moving sprinkler or spray nozzle system that travels around a center pivot point
centigrade
temperature scale where the freezing point of water is represented by 0oC and the boiling point of water is represented by 100oC, equivalent to the Celsius temperature scale
cephalopod
an active predatory mollusk of the large class Cephalopoda such as an octopus or squid
The Needles, situated off the Isle of Wight,
are part of the extensive Southern England chalk formation
Anonymous
Jul. 19, 2005
Wikipedia chalk
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Chalk#/media/
File:The_Needles.jpg
CC BY 3.0
certificate of assured water supply (CAWS)
issued to landlords to demonstrate that water of sufficient quantity and quality is legally available to serve the proposed development for 100 years
certificate of convenience and necessity (CCN)
a certificate issued by an agency granting a company authority to operate a public service, usually as a utility or transportation company
chalk
a soft white limestone formed from the skeletal remains of sea creatures
check dam
a small or temporary dam constructed across a swale, drainage ditch or waterway to counteract erosion by slowing water flow
chemical oxygen demand (COD)
amount of dissolved oxygen required to oxidize chemical organic materials, used to gauge the short-term impact wastewater effluents will have on the oxygen levels of receiving waters
chemical sedimentary rock
forms when minerals dissolved in saturated water precipitate
chemistry
the branch of science that deals with the identification of the substances of which matter is composed and the investigation of their properties and the ways in which they interact, combine, and change; and the use of these processes to form new substances
chinampa
Mesoamerican floating gardens built over wetlands, marshes, shallow lakes or flood plains using sediments, manure, compost and vegetation debris
chitin
a fibrous substance consisting of polysaccharides and forming the major constituent in the exoskeleton of arthropods and the cell walls of fungi
chloride
a compound of chlorine with another element or group, especially a salt of the anion Cl-
chlorination
water disinfection by adding chlorine
Chlorine
Periodic Table of Videos
Nov. 4, 2009
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chlorine
a greenish-yellow pungent-smelling element used especially as a bleach, oxidizing agent and disinfectant in water purification
chlorine contact chamber (CCC)
a basin that enables chlorine to disinfect wastewater
chlorite
name of a group of common sheet silicate minerals that form during the early stages of metamorphism
chlorofluorocarbon
compounds of carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, and fluorine, gases used in refrigerants and aerosol propellants, harmful to the ozone layer
cholera
an intestinal infection caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria
chromium
a blue-white metallic element found naturally only in combination and used especially in alloys and in electroplating
Chromium
Periodic Table of Videos
Dec. 18, 2017
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NPjdDS11C4
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chromosome
a threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes
chronostratigraphic
branch of stratigraphy that studies the ages of rock strata in relation to time
cienega
a swamp or marsh, especially one formed and fed by springs
cilia
an organelle found on eukaryotic cells in the shape of a slender protuberance that projects from the much larger cell body
ciliate
a single-celled animal of a phylum distinguished by the possession of cilia or ciliary structures
cinder cone
a cone formed around a volcanic vent by fragments of lava thrown out during eruptions
Ice Springs cinder cone and lava flow erupted
720 years ago in the
Black Rock desert volcanic field
R. Johnson/USGS
https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/
ice-springs-cinder-cone-and-lava-flow-
erupted-720-years-ago
public domain
cirque glacier
a small glacier that forms in a basin high on the side of a mountain
cirrocumulus
cloud forming a broken layer of small fleecy clouds at high altitude, usually 16,500 to 45,000 feet (5 to 13 km), typically with a rippled or granulated appearance, mackerel sky
cirrus
cloud forming wispy filamentous tufted streaks, mare's tails, at high altitude, usually 16,500 to 45,000 feet (5 to 13 km)
cistern
a tank for storing water
citizen science
scientific research conducted, in whole or in part, by amateur scientists
class A+ water
reclaimed water is wastewater that has undergone secondary treatment, filtration, nitrogen removal treatment, and disinfection and there are fewer than 23 coliform organisms in 100 milliliters
class B+ water
reclaimed water is wastewater that has undergone secondary treatment, nitrogen removal treatment, and disinfection and there are fewer than 800 coliform organisms in 100 milliliters
clast
fragment of geological detritus, chunks and smaller grains of rock broken off other rocks by physical weathering
clay
stiff, sticky fine-grained earth, typically yellow, red, or bluish-gray in color and often forming an impermeable layer in the soil
clean cultivation
removal of weeds, disruptive cultivators or other materials to create smoother surfaces
cliff
a steep rock face, especially near a body of water
climate
weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period of time
Cloud types
National Weather Service
Cloud Classification and Characteristics
https://www.weather.gov/lmk/cloud_classification
public domain
climate change
a change in global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change apparent from the mid to late 20th century onwards and attributed largely to the increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by the use of fossil fuels
climate change mitigation
action to limit climate change by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases or removing those gases from the atmosphere
climatology
the scientific study of climate
cloud classification
system that classifies cloud types by altitude
coastal flood
result of coastal storms, including hurricanes or nor'easters that create destructive storm surges, walls of water moving from ocean onto land
cognition
the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses
cohesion
sticking together of particles of the same substance
colloid
a homogeneous non-crystalline substance consisting of large molecules or extremely small non-settling particles of one substance dispersed through a second substance, includes gels, sols and emulsions
colloidal activated carbon (CAC)
a material used to block PFAS from entering groundwater
comb jelly
also known as a Ctenophore, may be Earth's most ancient creature
combustable
refers to material that burns
combustion turbine electric power plant
a facility that produces more than 25 megawatts of electricity using an internal combustion engine
commercial use
water used for businesses
comet
a celestial object consisting of a nucleus of ice and dust which develops a gas tail that points away from the Sun
Comet 1P/Halley
NASA/W. Liller
Mar. 8, 1986
Wikipedia Halley's comet
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Halley%27s_Comet#/media/
File:Lspn_comet_halley.jpg
public domain
community water system (CWS)
a public water system that supplies water to the same population for the entire year
compact
a negotiated agreement among states that resolves water allocation issues
compound
a molecule composed of two or more different elements
condensation
conversion of a vapor or gas to a liquid
condensation nuclei
tiny suspended particles, either solid or liquid, upon which water vapor condensation begins in the atmosphere
condenser
something that converts a gaseous substance into a liquid substance through cooling
conduction
process by which heat energy is transmitted through collisions between neighboring atoms or molecules
conductivity
refers to how a material conducts electricity
cone of depression
created in an aquifer when groundwater is pumped from a well, reducing groundwater levels inwater levels
confluent
flowing together or merging
Conglomerate at the base of the
Cambrian in the Black Hills, South Dakota
M. A. Wilson
May 31, 2008
Wikipedia conglomerate
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Conglomerate_(geology)#/media/
File:CambrianConglomerate.jpg
public domain
conglomerate
a coarse-grained clastic sedimentary rock that is composed of a substantial fraction of rounded to subangular gravel-size clasts larger than 2 millimeters in diameter
conjugate acid
has the hydronium ion, H3O+, as its base
conodont
a fossil marine animal of the Cambrian to Triassic periods, having a long wormlike body, numerous small teeth and a pair of eyes, may be the earliest vertebrate
conservation effluent pool (CEP)
effluent set aside each year pursuant to an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Tucson and Pima County for use in riparian restoration projects
conservation efforts report (CER)
filed by large municipal water providers
constructed recharge
replenishing the aquifer using a facility that is designed and constructed, in-channel, or off-channel, to store water underground pursuant to permits issued by ADWR
consumptive use
water that is evaporated, used by plants and crops and consumed by animals and humans
contaminant candidate list (CCL)
a list of contaminants in public water systems currently not subject to proposed national primary drinking water regulations, that may concern the public
Continents
continent
size in million km2
boundaries
Africa
30.3
north - Mediterranean Sea, northeast - Isthmus of Suez and the Red Sea, southeast - Indian Ocean, west - Atlantic Ocean
Antarctica
14.2
surrounded by the Southern Ocean
Asia
44.0
east - Pacific Ocean, south - Indian Ocean, north - Arctic Ocean
Australia
8.6
between the Indian and Pacific ocean basins
Europe
10.18
north - Arctic Ocean, west - Atlantic Ocean, south - Mediterranean Sea
North America
24.71
north - Arctic Ocean, east - Atlantic Ocean, southeast - Caribbean Sea, west and south - Pacific Ocean
South America
17.84
west - Pacific Ocean, north and east - Atlantic Ocean, northwest - Caribbean Sea
Source: Wikipedia continent,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continent
contaminants of emerging concern (CEC)
unregulated substances often found in pharmaceutical and personal care products that end up in sewers and that cannot be totally removed by usual wastewater treatment processes
continent
a single landmass or a part of a very large landmass
continental crust
the layer of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks that forms the continents and the areas of shallow seabed
continental margin
outer edge of continental crust
continental rise
a fairly flat zone of accumulated sediments that lies between the continental slope and the abyssal plain
continental shelf
a portion of a continent that is submerged under an area of relatively shallow water
continental slope
the slope between the outer edge of the continental shelf and the deep ocean floor
contraction
shrinkage resulting from cooling
convection
refers to the movement of a fluid where hot material rises and cooler material sinks
Copper
Periodic Table of Videos
Nov. 11, 2010
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kop1sWzTK-I
Embedded video, no copy made
convergent boundary
an area on Earth where two or more lithospheric plates collide
conveyance loss
water lost by leakage or evaporation
copper
a highly conductive metallic chemical element that is easily formed into sheets and wires
coral reef
a ridge of rock in the sea formed by the growth and deposit of coral
Coriolis force
the effect that deflects moving objects to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere
A light gray igneous rock cross-cuts in a
younger white pegmatite dike, cross-cut by
an even younger black diabase dike
T. Eliasson/Geological Survey of Sweden
Aug. 23, 2008
Wikipedia cross-cutting relationships
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Cross-cutting_relationships#/
media/File:Multiple_
Igneous_Intrusion_Phases_
Kosterhavet_Sweden.jpg
CC BY-SA 2.0
corrugated moraine
has a washboard shape
country rock
rock native to the area
covalent
relating to chemical bonds formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms
cove
a sheltered bay
crag
a steep or rugged cliff or rock face
creek
a small natural water stream
Cretaceous
the last period of the Mesozoic era, between the Jurassic and Tertiary periods
crinoid
any of a large class of invertebrates that are echinoderms and usually have a cup-shaped body with five or more feathery arms
crop canopy
the above ground portion of a plant cropping or crop, formed by the collection of individual plant crowns
crop water use efficiency
the ratio of harvestable yield to crop evapotranspiration
cross-bedded
in layers lying at an angle to the main beds of layered rock
cross-cutting relationships
geologic principle stating that the geologic feature which cuts another is the younger of the two features
crust
the outermost solid shell of a rocky planet, dwarf planet or natural satellite
Extent of the regions affected by components
of the cryosphere around the world
from the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
Nov. 21, 2011
Wikipedia cryosphere
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Cryosphere#/media/
File:Components_of_the_Cryosphere.tif
public domain
cryosphere
portions of a planet's surface where water is solid, including sea ice, lake ice, river ice, snow cover, glaciers, ice caps, ice sheets, and frozen ground
cryptosporidium
a parasitic alveolate that can cause respiratory and gastrointestinal illness
Ctenophore
also known as a comb jelly, may be Earth's most ancient creature
cultivation
preparing soil for crop planting
cultural water demand
includes water diverted, pumped from wells, or received to meet municipal, industrial and agricultural demands
culvert
structure that allows water to flow under a road, railroad, trail or other obstruction
cumulonimbus
cloud forming a towering mass with a flat base at fairly low altitude and often a flat top, as in thunderstorms
cumulus
cloud forming rounded masses heaped on each other above a flat base at fairly low altitude
curb cut
allows stormwater from the street to flow into water-harvesting basins to irrigate vegetation
cyanide
a large group of poisonous chemical compounds used to make plastics and to extract and treat metals
cyclogenesis
refers to the formation process of a low-pressure area
cyclone
a tropical storm in the region of the Indian Ocean and South Pacific
Multichannel culvert on the Health and History trail,
Jefferson Park neighborhood, Tucson
D. Meeks
Mar. 3, 2023
Image taken by and used with
permission of the author
cytotoxicity
refers to a compound can cause cell damage or death, either through tissue destruction
D↑
dacite
a volcanic rock resembling andesite but containing free quartz
dam
a barrier constructed to hold back water, raise its level, form a reservoir used to generate electricity or as a water supply
dead pool
the level at which water can no longer be released from a reservoir
debouching
emerging from a narrow or confined space into a wide, open area
decomposition
the separation of a substance into simpler substances or basic elements
decreed surface water rights
rights determined through judicial action in a state or federal court
Why engineers can't control rivers
Brilliant
Apr. 4, 2023
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLZElIYHmAI
Embedded video, no copy made
deduction
inference of particular instances by reference to a general law or principle
defacto potable reuse
reuse of treated wastewater is practiced but not officially recognized
de facto reuse
treated wastewater is reused but not officially recognized or planned, for example, drinking water is used downstream from a wastewater treatment plant
deficit irrigation
the practice of reducing irrigation to lower costs while maintaining acceptable yields
delta
triangular tract of sediment deposited at the mouth of a river, typically where it diverges into several outlets
deluge
when land is overflowed by significant precipitation
demarcation
the action of fixing the boundary or limits of something
de minimis levels
the minimum threshold for which a conformity determination must be performed for various criteria pollutants in various areas
dendrochronology
the science of dating events, environmental change and archaeological artifacts using tree rings
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
nucleic acid containing the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms
Depositional environments
Mikenorton
May 6, 2018
Wikipedia sedimentary rock
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Sedimentary_rock#/media/
File:Main_depositional_environments.svg
CC BY-SA 3.0
deposition (chemistry)
transition of a substance directly from the gas to the solid phase, without passing through the intermediate liquid phase
deposition (geology)
process in which sediments, soil and rocks are added to existing layers of sediments, soil or rock
depositional environment
a setting in which a sedimentary rock forms
desalination
process of removing salt from seawater
desertification
process by which fertile land becomes desert, usually drought, deforestation or poor agricultural practices
desert pavement
a surface layer of closely packed or cemented pebbles and rock fragments from which fine material has been removed by the wind in arid regions
desert varnish
a dark hard film of rusty-looking rock formed on exposed rock surfaces in arid regions
designation of assured water supply (DAWS)
issued to water suppliers to demonstrate that water of sufficient quantity and quality is legally available to serve the proposed development for 100 years
detritus
gravel, sand, silt, or other material produced by erosion or organic matter produced by the decomposition of organisms
deuterium
isotope of hydrogen with a nucleus consisting of one proton and one neutron
Sea ice diatoms, McMurdo Station, Antarctica
G. T. Taylor/NOAA
Jan. 1, 1983
Wikipedia diatom
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Diatom#/media/File:Diatoms
_through_the_microscope.jpg
public domain
deuterium oxide
another name for heavy water
Devonian
a geologic period of the Paleozoic, spanning 60 million years from the end of the Silurian, 419.2 million years ago, to the beginning of the Carboniferous, 358.9 million years ago
dew
liquid water drops that form naturally by condensation in the early morning or evening
dewpoint
the temperature to which the air must be cooled in order for that air to be saturated
diabase
igneous rock also called dolerite
diamond dust
precipitation also known as ice needles or ice crystals, that forms at temperatures of -40o from high, moist airm mixing with colder, surface air
diatom
a single-celled alga which has a cell wall of silica
dichloroethane (DCE)
a clear, colorless liquid used to make vinyl chloride and other chemicals and as a solvent, degreaser and wetting agent
dihydrogen monoxide
chemical name for water
A dike to the left of the Red Notebook
in the Chinle formation in Canyonlands National Park
J. Stuby
May 8, 2002
Wikipedia dike
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Dike_(geology)#/media/
File:Clastic_dike_UT.jpg
public domain
dike (construction)
a long wall or embankment built to prevent flooding from the sea
dike (geology)
body of igneous rock that cuts across the structure of adjoining rock, usually as a result of the intrusion of magma
dilation
a change in volume due to distortion
dinoflagellate
a single-celled organism with two flagella, found in marine plankton and fresh water
diorite
an intrusive igneous rock composed principally of the silicate minerals plagioclase feldspar, biotite, hornblende and pyroxene
dioxane
a synthetic, potentailly explosive and carcinogenic industrial chemical
dip-slip fault
the hanging wall moves downward relative to the footwall
direct potable reuse (DPR)
involves the treatment and distribution of water without an environmental buffer
direct recharge methods
spreading basins, injection wells, vadose zone wells, trenches, infiltration galleys and in-channel projects
disability adjusted life years (DALY)
age-standardized disability-adjusted life-years lost per 100,000 persons due to exposure to unsafe drinking water
discharge
volume of water that passes a give location in a given time period
disconformity
an unconformity between parallel layers of sedimentary rocks which represents a period of erosion or non-deposition
disinfection
treatment of water to inactivate, destroy, and/or remove disease-producing bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms
disinfection by-product (DBP)
result from chemical reactions between organic and inorganic matter in water with chemical treatment agents during the water disinfection process
distillation
the process of separating parts of a liquid substance through boiling and condensation
distilled water
water from which impurities, such as dissolved salts and colloidal particles, have been removed
distributary
a branch of a river that does not return to the main stream after leaving it
divergent boundary
a linear feature between tectonic plates moving away from each other
DNA
deoxyribonucleic acid, a self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes, carrier of genetic information.
doctrine of prior appropriation
the person who first puts the water to a beneficial use acquires a right that is better than later appropriators of the water
doldrums
an equatorial region of the Atlantic Ocean with calms, sudden storms and light unpredictable winds
dolerite
a fine- to medium-grained, dark gray to black intrusive igneous rock
domestic use
uses related to supply, service, and activities of households and private residences, including water for less than two acres of land to produce plants for human or animal consumption
domestic water improvement district (DWID)
formed to construct or improve a domestic water delivery system or to purchase an existing domestic water delivery system
domestic well
a small capacity well used for domestic water use
Dominy formation
a layer of Colorado River sediment in Lake Powell, estimated to be at least 100 feet thick
down-cutting
water flow that deepens a channel of a stream or valley by removing material from the stream's bed or the valley's floor
drag fold
a minor geological fold produced in soft roc beds between harder rocks
drainage basin
an area of land where precipitation collects and drains into a common outlet, such as a river, bay or other body of water
drawdown
lowering of groundwater due to water pumping
drip irrigation
an irrigation method that uses pipes that allow water to drip slowly onto plants
drought
a sustained natural reduction in precipitation that results in negative environmental and human impacts
dry lake
a basin that used to contain a lake, but is now dry
dry system
refers to thepipework allowing rainwater to flow from a roof into a rainwater tank, after a downpour no water is retained in the pipes
dwarf planet
a small planetary object that orbits the Sun but is too small to be classified as a planet
dynamically stable beach
formed using breakwaters, jetties, impermeable groynes or seawalls
E↑
Eastern Hemisphere
the half of Earth east of the prime meridian at Greenwich, London, United Kingdom and west of the antimeridian which crosses the Pacific Ocean and relatively little land from pole to pole
echinoderm
any of a variety of invertebrate marine animals belonging to the phylum Echinodermata, characterized by a hard, spiny covering or skin
eclogite
a metamorphic rock consisting of pyroxene omphacite and pyrope-rich garnet
ecohydrology
the study of the interactions between water and ecological systems
El Niño conditions
F. Oyster
Sep. 7, 2014
Wikipedia El Niño
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/El_Ni%C3%B1o#/media/
File:ENSO_-_El_Ni%C3%B1o.svg
public domain
ecology
the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings
economic water productivity (EWP)
the monetary value generated from each unit of water consumed
effloresce
loss of moisture causing a substance to turn into a fine powder when exposed to air
effluent
treated municipal wastewater
elastic
relating to a substance that can quickly return to its normal shape after being pulled or pushed
electrochemistry
the branch of chemistry that deals with the relations between electrical and chemical phenomena
electromagnetic radiation
radiation including radio waves, microwaves, infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet light, x-rays and gamma rays
electromagnetic spectrum
range of frequencies of electromagnetic radiation and their wavelengths and energies
Electromagnetic spectrum
Unknown
Oct. 26, 2007
Wikipedia electromagnetic spectrum
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Electromagnetic_spectrum#/media/
File:EM_Spectrum_Properties_edit.svg
CC BY-SA 3.0
electron
a negatively-charged subatomic particle that orbits atomic nuclei
element
each of more than one hundred substances that cannot be chemically converted or broken down into simpler substances and which are primary constituents of matter
elevation
height above a given level, especially sea level
El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
the cycle of warm and cold sea surface temperature of the tropical central and eastern Pacific Ocean accompanied by high air pressure in the western Pacific and low air pressure in the eastern Pacific
emulsion
a dispersion of minute droplets of one liquid in another in which it is not soluble
endangered species
a species of animal or plant that is seriously at risk of extinction
endorheic basin
inland basin that does not drain to an ocean
engineered storage buffer
storage facility used to provide retention time before advanced treated water is introduced into the drinking water system
environment
the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal or plant lives
environmental buffer
a groundwater aquifer, surface water reservoir, lake or river in which advanced treated water is introduced before being used for potable reuse
environmental flows
quality, quantity and flowing water timing needed to sustain estuarine ecosystems
environmental impact statement (EIS)
government document that outlines the impact of a proposed project on its surrounding environment
environmental performance index (EPI)
uses 40 performance indicators in 11 issue categories to rank countries on climate change performance, environmental health and ecosystem vitality
environmental restoration
also referred to as riparian restoration, riparian enhancement or habitat restoration, enhancing existing ecosystems or creating new habitat to recover ecosystem functional characteristics including plant communities and habitat structure
environmental well
a well used to monitor a contamination site
eon
largest formal geochronologic time unit, equivalent of a chronostratigraphic eonothem
eonothem
totality of rock strata deposited during an eon in the geologic timescale
ephemeral stream
a temporary stream that flows as the result of precipitation
Equinoxes and solstices
Sanu N.
Aug. 9, 2020
Wikipedia equinox
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Equinox#/media/
File:Celestial_sphere_with_ecliptic.svg
CC BY-SA 4.0
epidemic
a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease
epilimnion
the upper layer of water in a stratified lake
epipelagic zone
the upper open ocean, where there is enough sunlight for algae to utilize photosynthesis, this zone reaches from the sea surface down to approximately 200 m (650 feet)
epishelf lake
a freshwater lake which is dammed by an ice shelf, with a layer of freshwater floating on saltier marine water
epoch
second smallest geochronologic unit, between a period and an age
equator
a circle of latitude that divides the Earth or other celestial body into the northern and southern hemispheres
equatorial Pacific Ocean
defined by latitudes between 5oN and 5oS and longitudes between 120oW and 170oW
equilibrium
a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced
equinox
when the Sun appears directly above the equator, rising due east and setting due west, around March 20 and September 23
era
second largest geochronologic time unit, equivalent of a chronostratigraphic erathem
erathem
totality of rock strata deposited during an era in the geologic timescale
Sierra escarpment
G. Thomas
Jun. 2, 2006
Wikipedia escarpment
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Escarpment#/media/
File:SierraEscarpmentCA.jpg
public domain
escarpment
long, steep slope, especially one at the edge of a plateau or separating areas of land at different heights
ester
any of a class of fragrant organic compounds formed by the reaction between an acid and an alcohol with elimination of water
estuarine
relating to or formed in an estuary
estuary
the tidal mouth of a large river, where the tide meets the stream
eukariote
an organism whose cells have a nucleus enclosed within a nuclear envelope
Eutrophication in Mono Lake, California
NASA
Oct. 22, 2006
Wikipedia eutrophication
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Eutrophication#/media/
File:Wfm_mono_lake_landsat.jpg
public domain
eutrophication
process by which a body of water becomes enriched with minerals and nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus
evaporation
process of turning from liquid into vapor
evaporation pan
an open tank used to measure evaporation
evapotranspiration
process by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere by evaporation from the soil and other surfaces and by transpiration from plants
evolution
process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the Earth
exempt well
having a pump with a maximum capacity of not more than 35 gallons per minute which is used to withdraw groundwater pursuant to A.R.S. § 45-454
exoplanet
a planet that orbits a star outside of the solar system
exploration well
a well used to gather geology-related data
exoskeleton
a rigid external covering for the body in some invertebrate animals, especially arthropods, providing both support and protection
exosphere
Earth's uppermost atmospheric layer, located above the thermosphere, thins out and merges with outer space
exterior water use
uses of water for landscaping, pools, evaporative cooling systems, decorative fountains and other outdoor uses
Wasatch fault located in Central Utah
and Southeast Idaho
along eastern edge of Basin and Range Province
USGS
https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/
earthquake-hazards/science/how-big-and
-how-frequent-are-earthquakes-wasatch-fault?
qt-science_center_objects=0#
qt-science_center_objects
public domain
extinguishment credits
gained when a grandfathered water right is cancelled and can be committed to a water supply
extratropical cyclone
low-pressure areas which drive the weather over much of the Earth, capable of producing clouds, gales, thunderstorms, blizzards and tornadoes
extravasated
let or force out from the vessel that naturally contains it into the surrounding area
extrusive
refers to igneous volcanic rock in which hot magma from inside the Earth flows out onto the surface as lava or explodes violently into the atmosphere to fall back as pyroclastics or tuff
F↑
Fahrenheit
temperature scale on which pure water freezing point was defined as 32oF and water boiling point was defined to be 212oF
fallow
a farming technique in which arable land is left without replanting during a planting season
fault
crack in the Earth's crust often associated with boundaries between Earth's tectonic plates
fauna
the animals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period
Geirangerfjord, Norway
Fgmedia
Jun. 27, 2007
Wikipedia fjord
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Fjord#/media/
File:Geirangerfjord_(6-2007).jpg
CC BY 2.5
faunal succession
geologic principle stating that sedimentary rock strata contain fossilized flora and fauna which succeed each other vertically in a specific, reliable order that can be identified over wide horizontal distances
feldspar
an abundant seimentary mineral typically occurring as colorless or pale-colored crystals and consisting of aluminosilicates of potassium, sodium, and calcium
felsic
refers to igneous rocks that are relatively rich in elements that form feldspar and quartz
fen
a low and marshy or frequently flooded area of land
Ferrel cell
air rising at 60o latitude diverging at high altitude toward the poles and then moving toward the equator where it collides at 30o latitude with the high-level air of the Hadley cell
ferromagnesian
referring to a rock or mineral containing iron and magnesium as major components
ferrous
referring to a rock or mineral containing iron
filtration
solid particles in a liquid or gaseous fluid are removed by the use of a filter that permits the fluid to pass but retains the solid particles
fin
a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures
first management period new acres
a water-intensive or low water use landscape area created between December 31, 1984 and before January 1, 1992
fissure
a long, narrow opening or line of breakage made by cracking or splitting in rock or earth
fjord
a long, narrow, deep sea inlet between high cliffs, typically formed by submergence of a glaciated valley, found in Norway and Iceland
Lands that could flood in our lifetime
Atlas Pro
Nov. 20, 2020
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CurmnLKikyI
Embedded video, no copy made
flagella
a lash-like appendage that protrudes from the cell body of certain bacteria and eukaryotic cells
flagellate
a cell or organism with one or more whip-like appendages called flagella
flocculation
the process of particles clumping together
flood
an overflowing of a large amount of water beyond its normal extent
floodplain
an area of low-lying ground adjacent to a river, formed mainly of river sediments and subject to flooding
flood stage
elevation at which a natural water body overflows
Alpine deformation folded limestone and chert,
Ágios Pávlos in the south of Crete
D. Mueller
Oct. 30, 2004
Wikipedia fold (geology)
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Fold_(geology)#/media/
File:Folding_of_alternate_layers_of_
limestone_layers_with_chert_layers.jpg
CC BY-SA 4.0
floodway
river channel that is part of a floodplain that carries away flood water
flora
the plants of a particular region, habitat, or geological period
flowing well
a well that taps pressurized underground water
fluorine
a poisonous pale yellow gas, chemical element of atomic number 9, most reactive of all the elements and causing severe burns on contact with skin
fluvial
of or found in a river
fog
a thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere near Earth's surface
fold
when originally flat, level surfaces, such as sedimentary strata, are bent or curved as a result of pressure and high temperature
foliated
the parallel arrangement of certain mineral grains that gives the rock a striped appearance
forcing
initial climate drivers, including solar irradiance, greenhous gas emissions, and airborne particles like dust, smoke, and soot that come from both human and natural sources
Fujita damage scale
scale
speed in mph
damage
F0
73
light
F1
74-112
moderate
F2
113-157
considerable
F3
158-206
severe
F4
207-260
devastating
F5
261-318
incredible
F6
319-379
inconceivable
Source: NOAA/National Weather Service,
https://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/f-scale.html
fossiliferous
refers to rock containing many fossils
freshet
flood of a river from heavy rain or melted snow
fresh water
characterized by having low concentrations of dissolved salts and other total dissolved solids
fringing reef
a reef close to a shoreline
frost wedging
weathering that occurs as a result of repeated freezing and thawing of water in areas with extremely cold weather
Fujita scale
a scale for rating tornado intensity, based on thedamage tornadoes inflict on human-built structures and vegetation
fundamental forces
gravitational and electromagnetic long-range forces whose effects can be seen directly in everyday life and strong and weak forces produced at subatomic distances and controlling nuclear interactions
G↑
Gabbro
Unknown
Jul. 22, 2014
Wikipedia gabbro
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Gabbro#/media/
File:1gabbro.jpg
public domain
gabbro
a dense, mafic intrusive rock generally occurring as batholiths and laccoliths and often found along mid-ocean ridges or in ancient mountains composed of compressed and uplifted oceanic crust
gage height
the height of water measured by a water gage
gaging station
a site on a flowing water body where hydrologic data is obtained
garnet (X3Y2(SiO4)3)
a large group of rock-forming minerals with a common crystal structure
gated pipe system
a surface pipe that is usually polyvinyl chloride or aluminum fitted with spaced closeable gates or holes permitting the water to flow into furrows, borders or basins
gene
the basic physical and functional unit of heredity
general adjudication
an action for judicial determination
general industrial use permit
permits for the withdrawal of groundwater outside the boundaries of a service area
general stream adjudication
a state court proceeding to resolve disputes over water priorities and competing uses across an entire river basin
genetics
the study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics
genotoxicity
refers to substances bind to DNA and causing genetic mutations which can cause cancer and birth defects
Geologic time scale
National Park Service
Geologic Time Scale
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/time-scale.htm
public domain
geochronology
the branch of geology concerned with the dating of rock formations and geological events
geodetic
relating to land surveying
geogenic
relating to the Earth
geographic coordinate system
a spherical coordinate system for measuring and communicating positions using latitude and longitude
geologic province
a geologic area with common geologic attributes
geologic time scale
a system of chronological dating that classifies geological strata by time
geology
the science that deals with Earth's physical structure and substance, its history, and the processes that act on it
geomagnetic reversal
when a planet's magnetic north and magnetic south switch positions
geyser
a hot spring in which water intermittently boils, and emits a tall column of water and steam into the atmosphere
giardia
a tiny parasite that causes the diarrhea
gigawatt (GW)
a unit of electric power equal to one billion watts
gigawatt hour (GWh)
a unit of energy representing one billion watt hours
glacial lake
a body of water with origins from glacier activity
glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF)
a flood caused by the failure of a dam containing a glacial lake
Glacial lake Katora in Kumrat Valley, Pakistan
J. Sher
Jul. 10, 2016
Wikipedia glacial lake
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Glacial_lake#/media/
File:Katora_lake_dir.jpg
CC BY-SA 4.0
glacier
a slowly moving mass or river of ice formed by the accumulation and compaction of snow on mountains or near the poles
global stratotype section and point (GSSP)
geographic location that marks a geologic time period, characterized by certain fossils, the spread or extinction of certain species, a particular ice core sediment or a chemical or radioactive residue
global warming
a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the Earth's atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants
global warming potential
a measure of how much energy the emissions of 1 ton of a gas will absorb over a given period of time, relative to the emissions of 1 ton of carbon dioxide
glyphosate
a herbicide that kills broadleaf plants and grasses
gneiss
common type of metamorphic rock formed by high temperature and high-pressure
Gold
Periodic Table of Videos
Jul. 16, 2008
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OoLHe-4aNA
Embedded video, no copy made
gold
a yellow precious metal element with atomic number 79, used especially in jewelry and decoration and to guarantee the value of currencies
Gondwana
a supercontinent that existed from about 550 to 180 million years ago that formed when several smaller continents, including what is now South America, Africa, India, Australia and Antarctica, collided and merged together
gorge
narrow valley between hills or mountains, typically with steep rocky walls and a stream running through it
gpd
gallons per day
gradation
a scale or a series of successive changes, stages, or degrees
gradient
an increase or decrease in the magnitude of a physical property
gradientor
micrometer attachment that measures the elevation of the telescope with great precision
grandfathered right
right to withdraw groundwater within an active management area based on existing lawful withdrawal before the active management area was created
Granite
Friman
Jul. 16, 2007
Wikipedia granite
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Granite#/media/
File:Fj%C3%A6regranitt3.JPG
CC BY-SA 3.0
granite
formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface, a light-colored igneous rock composed mainly of quartz and feldspar with minor amounts of mica, amphiboles, and other minerals with grains large enough to be visible with the unaided eye
granular activated carbon (GAC)
materials that absorb thousands of organic and some inorganic materials
graupel
precipitation that forms when supercooled water droplets are collected and freeze on falling snowflakes, forming 2 to 5 millimeter balls of rime
gravel
loose aggregation of rock fragments, classified by particle size range and includes size classes from granule- to boulder-sized fragments
gravimeter
a device for measuring Earth's gravitational field variations
gravity
the force that draws objects toward the center of planets, moons, stars or other bodies
gravity flow irrigation
irrigation in which the water flows under gravity from the source to the field
gray infrastructure
systems of gutters, pipes and tunnels that move stormwater to treatment plants or to local water bodies
Great Pacific garbage patch
a collection of plastic and floating trash in the central North Pacific Ocean originating from the Pacific Rim, including countries in Asia, North America and South America
Greenhouse gases
E. Fisk
Aug. 15, 2021
Wikipedia greenhouse gas
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Greenhouse_gas#/media/
File:Physical_Drivers_of_climate_change.svg
CC BY-SA 4.0
greenhouse gas (GHG)
a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation, for example carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons
green infrastructure
filters and absorbs stormwater where it falls
greenstone
rock formed when mafic minerals which make basalt black are commonly changed into a green mineral called chlorite as they are exposed to surface weathering processes
greenwashing
a marketing gimmick that makes a product or policy appear more environmentally friendly than it is
green water
in water balancing, refers to rainfall that has been stored in the soil and that evaporates into the atmosphere
greywacke
variety of argillaceous sandstone that is highly indurated and poorly sorted
greywater
wastewater collected separately from sewage flow originating from a clothes washer, bathtub, shower or sink, but not from a kitchen sink, dishwasher or toilet
gross domestic product (GDP)
total monetary value of all finished goods and services produced in a country
ground moraine
till-covered areas with irregular shape and no ridges that form small hills and plains
grounding line
the region where ice transitions from a grounded ice sheet to freely floating ice shelf
groundwater
water below Earth's surface
groundwater basin
an area designated to hold groundwater
groundwater distribution system
a system of pipes and canals to collect, store, treat or deliver groundwater for non-irrigation use
groundwater flow model
a computer model that explains groundwater movement
groundwater recharge
water flowing into the ground from surface water
groundwater replenishment district
a special taxing district to develop, store, augment, conserve, replenish or increase water supplies for the benefit of the district members
groundwater savings facility (GSF)
allows a permit holder to deliver renewable to a recipient who agrees to replace groundwater pumping with in lieu water, creating groundwater savings
Guayule
USDA
Aug. 3, 2006
Wikipedia guayule
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Parthenium_argentatum#/
media/File:Parthenium_
argentatum_(USDA).jpg
public domain
groundwater withdrawal permit
a permit issued by ADWR for withdrawing groundwater in an active management district
groyne
a low wall or sturdy barrier built out into the sea from a beach to prevent erosion and drifting
guayule
a low-water-use, desert-adapted shrub used as a natural rubber source for tires, Parthenium argentatum
gypsum
a soft white or gray mineral consisting of hydrated calcium sulfate which occurs chiefly in sedimentary deposits
gyre
large system of rotating currents
H↑
habitable zone
also called the "Goldilock's zone," the orbital region around a star in which an Earth-like planet can possess liquid water on its surface and possibly support life
habitat conservation plan (HCP)
part of an application for a project that might result in the destruction of an endangered or threatened species
Large-scale atmospheric circulation
Kaidor
Jan. 17, 2013
Wikipedia atmosphere
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Atmospheric_circulation#/
media/File:Earth_Global_
Circulation_-_en.svg
CC BY-SA 3.0
Hadley cell
global tropical atmospheric circulation where air rises near the Equator, flows poleward, descending in the subtropics and then returning toward the equator near Earth's surface
hadopelagic zone
where deep, wide trenches occur in the flat seafloor
hail
a form of precipitation made when supercooled water droplets freeze on contact with dust or dirt
halide
contain the element chlorine ionically bonded with sodium or other cations
halogen
the reactive nonmetallic elements fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine, occupying group VIIA of the periodic table that form strongly acidic compounds with hydrogen from which simple salts can be made
halophyte
a plant adapted to growing in salty conditions
hanging glacier
a glacier that begins high on a glacier valley wall and descends only part of the way to the surface of the main glacier
hardness
refers to the concentration of calcium and magnesium in water
hardpan
a hard layer of clay below soil that prevents drainage and plant growth
Helictite formations in Wyandotte Caves, Indiana
Cool10191
Jan. 24, 2004
Wikipedia helictite
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Helictite#/media/File:Wyandotte_cave8.jpg
public domain
headwater
the source of a stream or river
heap and dump leaching
mineral extraction using acid solutions applied to metallic ores
heat index
a measure indicating an average person's discomfort level experienced as a result of combined effects of air temperature and humidity
heavy water
water that contains more than a normal amount of the hydrogen isotope deuterium
hectare
a metric unit of square measure, equal to 2.471 acres or 10,000 square meters
helictite
a distorted form of stalactite that resembles a twig
hematite
a common iron oxide black to steel or silver-gray, brown to reddish-brown, or red in color that usually precipitates from water and collect in layers at the bottom of a lake, spring, or other standing water
hepatitis A
a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus
herbicide
a substance that is toxic to plants
Hoodoos in Bryce Canyon, Utah
L. Galuzzi
Jul. 21, 2007
Wikipedia hoodoo
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Hoodoo_(geology)#/media/
File:USA_10654_Bryce_Canyon_
Luca_Galuzzi_2007.jpg
CC BY-SA 2.5
heterogeneous
relating to substances in different phases or composed of different materials
heterotrophic
refers to an organism deriving its nutritional requirements from complex organic substances
hexafluoroethane
a non-flammable, long-lived greenhouse gas negligibly soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohol
high seas
open ocean that begins 200 nautical miles from a coastline and is not under the jurisdiction of the laws of any specific country
homogeneous
of uniform structure or composition
hoodoo
a column or pinnacle of weathered rock
hornblende
a dark brown, black, or green mineral of the amphibole group consisting of a hydroxyl alumino-silicate of calcium, magnesium, and iron, occurring in many igneous and metamorphic rocks
hornfels
a metamorphic rock formed by the contact between mudstone and shale, or other clay-rich rock, and a hot igneous body, representing a heat-altered equivalent of the original rock
Hornfels
P. Sosnowski
May 3, 2009
Wikipedia hornfels
https://commons.wikimedia.org/
wiki/File:Hornfels_4.JPG
CC BY-SA 4.0
horse latitudes
located at about 30 degrees north and south of the equator, an area of divergent winds that flow toward the poles or toward the equator due to high pressure resulting in calm winds, sunny skies and little or no precipitation
hotspot
volcanic regions that are not found at the edges of continents or faults
household water security
safe and reliable access to sufficient quantity and quality of water for household consumption, production and cleanliness
humidity
concentration of water vapor present in the air
humus
the organic component of soil, formed by the decomposition of leaves and other plant material by soil microorganisms
hurricane
storm with a violent wind, in particular a tropical cyclone in the Caribbean
hydration
process of combining a substance with water molecules
hudraulic radius
the area of the flow section divided by the wetted perimeter
hydraulic retention time (HRT)
the ratio between the reactor volume and the feed flow rate, represents the average time the cells and substrates stay inside the reactor
hydroelectric power
the use of flowing water to power a turbine to produce electrical energy
hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
gaseous substance found in several inorganic water pollutant such as electric power waste, oil and gas extraction operations waste, sewage treatment plants, large pig farms and other confined animal feeding operations, Portland cement kilns, municipal waste landfills, coke ovens, sulfur products, asphalt production and storage and geothermal power plants
Hydrogen
Periodic Table of Videos
Jan. 5, 2009
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rdmpx39PRk
Embedded video, no copy made
hydrogen
a colorless, odorless, highly flammable gas, the chemical element of atomic number 1
hydrogeology
geology that deals with the distribution and movement of groundwater in the soil and rocks of the Earth's crust
hydrograph
a graphic representation of changes in water flow or water levels
hydrography
the science of surveying and charting bodies of water, such as seas, lakes, and rivers
hydroinformatics
application of information and communications technologies to address problems in the equitable and efficient use of water for many different purposes
hydrologic cycle
the cycle that demonstrates the movement of water from the atmosphere, to precipitation, to Earth's surface and back to the atmosphere
hydrologic disconnect
occurs when water providers store water underground in one location and recover or pump it from another location that has no hydrologic connection to the aquifer where the water was stored
How many degrees is Earth`s axial tilt?
hydrology
the science concerned with the properties of Earth's water, and especially its movement in relation to land
hydroxyl ion
OH which makes substances alkaline
hydrometeorology
the study of the transfer of water and energy between the land surface and the lower atmosphere
hydronium ion
H3O+ which makes substances acidic
hydrophobicity
repelling, tending not to combine with, or incapable of dissolving in water
Giant tube worms around a hydrothermal vent, Galapagos Islands
NOAA
Jul. 23, 2011
Wikipedia hydrothermal vent
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Hydrothermal_vent#/
media/File:Riftia_tube_worm
_colony_Galapagos_2011.jpg
public domain
hydrosphere
the combined mass of water found on, under, and above Earth's surface
hydrostatic pressure
the pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium at a given point within the fluid, due to the force of gravity
hydrothermal vent
fissure in the sea floor which emits heated water
hydrous
refers to substances containing water
hydroxide
a compound of a metal with the hydroxide ion OH- or the group -OH
hydroxyl
of or denoting the radical -OH, present in alcohols and many other organic compounds
hygrometer
an instrument that measures humidity
hypolimnion
the lower layer of water in a stratified lake
hypothesis
supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation
hypsometric
relating to the measurement of heights
I↑
Scientists created a weird
new type of ice that is
almost exactly as dense as water
C. Salzmann
Feb. 3, 2023
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWh4A-0I9WI
Embedded video, no copy made
ice
water in a solid state
ice sheet
a mass of glacial land ice extending more than 50,000 square kilometers (20,000 square miles)
ice pellets
a form of precipitation consisting of small, translucent balls of ice
igneous
rock formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava
immutable
unchanging over time
impaired
refers to lakes or streams that do not meet legally-established water standards
impermiability
not allowing liquid or gas to go through
impermiable layer
a layer of rock or clay through which water cannot pass
impervious
not allowing fluid to pass through
incidental recharge
replenishment that occurs after water is applied to crops and percolates below the root zone and reaches an aquifer
included fragments
principle of geology that states that the geologic feature which cuts another is the younger of the two features
incombustable
refers to material that does not burn
Components of igneous rock
J. Johnson/USGS
https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/components-igneous-rocks
public domain
incrustation
the action of encrusting or state of being encrusted
index well
a continuously monitored well
indicator compound
a chemical or microorganism that can be measured to indicate the presence of other chemicals that may not be detectable
indirect effects
measure economic activity generated by farmers and ranchers' demand for inputs or supplies
indirect potable reuse (IPR)
uses an environmental buffer, such as a lake, river, or a groundwater aquifer before the water is treated at a drinking water treatment plant
induced effects
measure the economic activity generated when households spend their earnings on local goods and services
indurated
made hard like rock
industrial use
non-irrigation use of water not supplied by a city, town or private water company, including animal industry use
infiltration
permeation of a liquid into something by filtration
infiltration capacity
the maximum rate of infiltration
inflow
all water that enters a water system
influent
untreated wastewater flowing into a wastewater treatment plant
injection well
used to place fluid underground into porous geologic formations
in lieu recharge
an exchange in which CAP water or effluent is delivered to an agricultural groundwater rightholder, and the party supplying the alternative supply is credited for the amount of groundwater that would have been pumped
inner core
inner layer of the Earth with a radius of 1,220 km (760 mi) composed primarily of iron and nickel
inorganic contaminants
include ammonia, arsenic, barium, chloride, chromium, copper, hydrogen sulfide, mercury, uranium and zinc
International waters are in blue
B1mbo
Oct. 31, 2011
Wikipedia International Waters
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
International_waters#/media/
File:Exclusive_Economic_Zones.svg
CC BY-SA 3.0 cl
inosilicate
silicate with interlocking chains of silicate tetrahedra
in situ leaching
metallic ore extraction using acid leaching of ore in its extracted location
insoluble
refers to a substance that cannot be dissolved
instream flow right
has a priority date and is entitled to water before more junior rights are satisfied, does not put more water in the river, but protects part or all of the water that is already there from further appropriations
intentionally created surplus (ICS)
allows California, Nevada and Arizona to store water in Lake Mead if they conserve the same amount of water within their state that could be used instead
interception
When precipitation reaches the surface in vegetated areas
intergovernmental agreement (IGA)
an agreement authorized by state statute between two or more governmental entities that provides for joint action or joint exercise of governmental powers
Iodine
Periodic Table of Videos
Dec. 22, 2009
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUBsJLRSM64
Embedded video, no copy made
interior water use
indoor uses of water, including toilet flushing, bathing, drinking and washing
intermittant
refers to streams that flow only part of the year
international waters
waters beyond the territorial sea of any country
interstate stream
a stream that flows between states
Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
area where the northeast and the southeast trade winds converge, encircling Earth near the thermal equator
intrusive
also called plutonic rock, igneous rock formed from magma forced into older rocks at depths within the Earth's crust, which then slowly solidifies below the Earth's surface
invertebrate
an animal without a backbone
Iron
Periodic Table of Videos
Apr. 12, 2010
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euQUgp5AY-Y
Embedded video, no copy made
iodine
a nonmetallic halogen and essential nutrient in the human diet and used in medicine, photography and analytical chemistry
ion exchange (IX)
a reversible exchange of an ion with another of the same charge to demineralize water or separate materials
ionosphere
includes the thermosphere and parts of the mesosphere and exosphere, ionized by solar radiation, forms the inner edge of the magnetosphere
iron
a strong, hard magnetic silvery-gray metal used as a material for construction and manufacturing, especially in the form of steel
irrigable
capable of being watered
Large-scale center-pivot spray irrigation system
Water Science School, USGS
May 27, 2009
https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/
center-pivot-irrigation-system-arizona-usa
public domain
irrigation
the supply of water to land or crops to help growth, typically by means of channels
irrigation distribution system
a system of canals, flumes, pipes or other conveyances that deliver water used for irrigation
irrigation district
a special political taxing district established for agricultural improvement or irrigation and conservation purposes
irrigation efficiency
the ratio of water beneficially used to the total amount of water applied
irrigation grandfathered rights (IGFR)
owned by the owner of the land to which it belongs, established between 1975 and 1979 and may be leased for an irrigation use with the land to which it belongs
irrigation non-expansion area (INA)
area designated to protect existing agriculture where groundwater is the main water source
irrigation sagacity
water uses are either beneficial, or non-beneficial but reasonable
irrigation water duty
total irrigation requirement to produce historically-grown crops divided by irrigation efficiency
isohyetal
line on a map connecting places which have an equal annual rainfall
isostasy
state of gravitational equilibrium between Earth's crust and mantle, the crust floats at an elevation that depends on its thickness and density
isotope
one of two or more species of atoms of a chemical element with the same atomic number and position in the periodic table and nearly identical chemical behaviour but with different atomic masses and physical properties
Joints in the Almo Pluton,
City of Rocks National Reserve, Idaho
M. A. Wilson
Jul. 26, 2017
Wikipedia joint (geology)
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Joint_(geology)#/media/
File:Joints_City_of_Rocks_NR.jpg
CC0 public domain
isthmus
narrow piece of land connecting two larger areas across an expanse of water by which they are separated
J↑
jet stream
a narrow band of strong westerly air currents that circles the Earth several miles above its surface
jetty
a landing stage or small pier where boats can be docked
Jevons paradox
occurs when technological progress or government policy increases the efficiency with which a resource is used, but the rate of consumption of that resource rises due to increasing demand
joint
a fracture dividing rock into two sections that moved away from each other
joule
unit of work or energy equal to the work done by a force of one newton over a distance of one meter
Jurassic
a geologic period that spanned 56 million years from the end of the Triassic Period 201.3 million years ago to the beginning of the Cretaceous Period 145 million years ago
jurisdictional dam
an artificial barrier 25 or more feet in height and with a storage capacity of more than 50 acre-feet used to impound water
K↑
Temperature scales
temperature scale
water
freezing
temperature
water
boiling
temperature
Fahrenheit
32o
212o
Celsius
0o
100o
Kelvin
273K
373K
Kelvin
temperature scale where 0oC is equal to 273.15K and 100oC is equal to 373.15K
kelp
arge brown seaweed with a long tough stalk with a broad frond divided into strips
kingdom
the second highest taxonomic rank, just below domain
knot
1.15 miles or 1.85 kilometers
Köppen climate classification system
divides climates into five main climate groups, with each group divided based on seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns
L↑
laccolith
a lens-shaped mass of igneous rock, that has been intruded between rock strata causing a dome-shaped uplift
lacustrine
related to lakes
lagoon
shallow body of water separated from a larger body of water by a reef, barrier island, barrier peninsula or isthmus
lake
a body of water in which surface water is accumulated
La Niña conditions
F. Oyster
Sep. 7, 2014
Wikipedia La Niña
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/La_Ni%C3%B1a#/media/
File:ENSO_-_La_Ni%C3%B1a.svg
public domain
La Niña
an oceanic and atmospheric phenomenon that is the colder counterpart of El Niño
lapse rate
rate at which an atmospheric temperature decreases with increasing altitude
large community water system
a community water system that serves more than 1,850 acre-feet of water
large municipal provider
a municipal water provider that serves more than 250 acre-feet of water for non-irrigation purposes during a calendar year
latent heat of evaporation
amount of heat required to convert a specific amount of a substance from a liquid to a gas
latent heat of fusion
amount of heat required to convert a specific amount of a substance from a solid to a liquid
lateral continuity
geologic principle stating that rock layers are laterally continuous but may be broken up or displaced by later events
lateral moraine
parallel ridges of debris deposited along a glacier
latitude
a coordinate that specifies the north-south position of a point on the surface of the Earth or another celestial body
lava
molten rock erupted from a volcano or fissure, or solid rock resulting from an eruption
Law of the River
describes the many laws, court decrees and decisions, policies, contracts and treaties governing the operation of the Colorado River from the headwaters in Colorado to the international border with Mexico
Pink monzonite laccolith intrudes within
grey Cambrian and Ordovician
strata near Notch Peak, Utah
Qfl247
Jan. 25, 2008
Wikipedia laccolith
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Laccolith#/media/
File:NotchPeak.jpg
CC BY-SA 3.0
leach
drain away from soil, ash or other material by water
lead
a soft, dense, malleable metal with a relatively low melting point
lentic water
refers to standing water in ponds or lakes
lepidolite
a lilac-gray or rose-colored member of the mica group of minerals
leptospirosis
an infectious bacterial disease that occurs in rodents, dogs, and other mammals and can be transmitted to humans
levee
an earthen barrier along a stream, lake or river that protects the surrounding land from flooding
lime
a white caustic alkaline substance consisting of calcium oxide, which is obtained by heating limestone and which combines with water with the production of much hea
limestone
hard sedimentary rock, composed mainly of calcium carbonate or dolomite, used as building material and in the making of cement
limitrophe
situated on a border or frontier
linear move tower system
a self-propelled continuous move side-roll system on a tower, a center pivot system adapted to move in a line and designed for use on square fields, ater is supplied to the unit by a flexible rubber hose
Lateral moraines above Lake Louise,
Alberta, Canada
Wilson44691
Aug. 7, 2009
Wikipedia moraine
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Moraine#/media/
File:MorainesLakeLouise.JPG
public domain
listric fault
similar to a normal fault but the fault plane curves with the dip being steeper near the surface and shallower with increased depth
lithify
transform from sediment into stone
lithology
study of rocks
lithosphere
the rigid outer part of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle
Little Ice Age
climate cooling period that occurred from the early 14th century through the mid-19th century, when mountain glaciers expanded at several locations, including the European Alps, New Zealand, Alaska, and the southern Andes, and mean annual temperatures across the Northern Hemisphere declined by 0.6oC
livestock use
water used for farming needs
lixiviation
the process of separating soluble from insoluble substances by dissolving the soluble materials in water or some other solvent
loam
a fertile soil of clay and sand containing humus
loch
a partially landlocked arm of the sea
loess
a loosely compacted yellowish-gray deposit of windblown sediment
Loess in Vicksburg, Mississippi
Wilson44691
May 30, 2010
Wikipedia loess
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Loess#/media/
File:LoessVicksburg.jpg
public domain
longitude
a coordinate that specifies the east-west position of a point on the surface of the Earth or another celestial body
long term storage credits (LTSC)
credits are earned when water is stored or banked underground for more than one year
long term water augmentation fund (LTWA)
created to finance water supply development projects to increase Arizona's water supply
lopolith
a large, lens-shaped igneous intrusion with a depressed central region
lost water
water that enters a distribution system but lost during transportation or distribution due to seepage, evaporation, leaks, breaks or plant absorption
low-carbon economy
an economy based on energy sources that produce low levels of greenhouse gas emissions
lower mantle
represents approximately 56% of Earth's total volume, the region from 660 to 2900 km below the surface, between the transition zone and the outer core
low water use landscaping
native and non-native plants and trees that require little water
M↑
Magnesium
Periodic Table of Videos
May 27, 2010
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKkWdizutxI
Embedded video, no copy made
maelstrom
a powerful whirlpool located in a sea or ocean
mafic
relating to a group of dark-colored, mainly ferromagnesian minerals such as pyroxene and olivine
magma
hot fluid material below or within Earth's crust from which lava and other igneous rock is formed after cooling
magnesia
a hydrated magnesium carbonate
magnesium
the chemical element of atomic number 12, a silver-white metal of the alkaline earth series. It is used to make strong lightweight alloys
magnetosphere
region of Earth's atmosphere where charged particles are affected by Earth's magnetic field
malaria
a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a mosquito parasite
Manganese
Periodic Table of Videos
Mar. 9, 2015
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTVtBuY9Q-0
Embedded video, no copy made
managed recharge
a facility that uses the unmodified natural channel of a stream to artificially recharge and store water underground in an aquifer pursuant to permits issued by ADWR
managed aquifer recharge (MAR)
consists of water management methods that recharge an aquifer using either surface or underground recharge techniques
managed underground storage facility
a facility designed and managed to utilize natural stream channels to store water underground through controlled releases
management allowable depletion (MAD)
desired soil-water deficit at the time of irrigation
manganese
a grayish-white, hard, brittle metallic element that resembles iron but is not magnetic and is used in alloys, batteries, and plant fertilizers
Layers of the Earth-What are they? How were they found?
IRIS Earthquake Science
Feb. 7, 2015
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD7GHzIRI-s
Embedded video, no copy made
mantle
a layer inside a planetary body bounded below by a core and above by a crust
marble
a metamorphic rock formed from sedimentary carbonate rocks, most commonly limestone or dolomite
marine protected areas (MPA)
include marine sanctuaries, estuarine research reserves, ocean parks and marine wildlife refuges
marsh
a wetland dominated by plant species that are used to being covered by water for long periods of time
mass extinction
refers to an event when many species die off in a relatively short period of geological time
Advanced Water Treatment Plant: Membrane Filtration
Scottsdale Water
Sep. 5, 2019
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTfJFNTE0TI
Embedded video, no copy made
mastodon
any of various extinct mammals of the elephant family existing from the Miocene through the Pleistocene distinguished by molar teeth with cone-shaped cusps
maximum annual groundwater allotment
maximum amount of groundwater that can be used per year for irrigation of each farm acre
maximum contaminant level (MCL)
the maximum concentration of a chemical that is allowed in public drinking water systems
maximum contaminant level goals (MCLG)
the maximum level of a contaminant in drinking water at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons would occur
maximum storage capacity
total reservoir storage space
meander
a river following a winding course
mechanics
the branch of physics involving motion and the forces that produce it
medial moraine
double line of debris running down the center of a glacier
Mercury
Periodic Table of Videos
Jul. 13, 2008
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL0M_6bfzkU
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megadrought
a drought lasting for more than two decades
megawatt
1,000 kilowatts or 1 million watts, the power used by the average microwave oven
membrane desalination
use of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration barriers to remove salts, pharmaceuticals and other dissolved contaminants
membrane filtration
method of separating particles in liquid solutions or gas mixtures
mercurial barometer
instrument used for measuring change in atmospheric pressure
mercury
a silver-white poisonous heavy metallic element that is liquid at ordinary temperatures used in batteries, in dental amalgam, and in scientific instruments
Mesas near Spring Canyon, Green River
U.S. Bureau of Land Management
http://www.publicdomainfiles.com/
show_file.php?id=13938778815668
public domain
meridian
a line of longitude
mesa
an isolated flat-topped hill with steep sides, found in landscapes with horizontal strata
mesopelagic zone
middle open ocean, from the bottom of the epipelagic to the point where sunlight can't reach, approximately 1000 m (3300 feet) deep
mesosphere
Earth's third atmospheric layer, above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere and where temperature decreases as altitude increases
Mesozoic
relating to or denoting the era between the Paleozoic and Cenozoic eras, comprising the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods
metabolism
chemical processes in a living organism that keep it alive
metalimnion
the middle layer of water in a stratified lake characterized by a rapid change in temperature with depth
Metamorphic Mississippian marble in
Big Cottonwood Canyon, Wasatch Mountains
M. A. Wilson
Jun. 30, 2008
Wikipedia metamorphic rock
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Metamorphic_rock#/media/
File:MississippianMarbleUT.JPG
public domain
metal-organic frameworks (MOF)
crystalline compounds consisting of rigid, porous organic molecules
metamorphic
relating to rock that has undergone transformation by heat, pressure, or other natural processes
meteorology
the branch of science concerned with the processes and phenomena of the atmosphere, especially as a means of forecasting the weather
methane (CH4)
a powerful greenhouse gas and the simplest hydrocarbon, consisting of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms
method detection limit (MDL)
the minimum measured concentration of a substance that can be reported with 99% confidence that the measured concentration is distinguishable from method blank results
method reporting limit (MRL)
the minimum concentration of a contaminant reported after analyzing a sample, determined after corrections have been made for sample dilution and sample weight
mgd
million gallons per day
mica
a shiny silicate mineral with a layered structure, found as minute scales in granite and other rocks, or as crystals
Folded migmatite near Geirangerfjord, Norway
S. Sepp
Jul. 17, 2006
Wikipedia migmatite
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Migmatite#/media/
File:Migma_ss_2006.jpg
CC BY-SA 3.0
microclimate
a local set of atmospheric conditions that differ from those in the surrounding areas
microfiltration
contaminated fluid is passed through a filter to remove microorganisms and suspended particles
micro-sprinkler system
supplies water through emitters and nozzles attached to a supply pipe or porous tubing
migmatite
a composite rock found in medium and high-grade metamorphic environments
mineral
substance occurring in nature usually comprising inorganic materials of definite chemical composition and definite crystal structure, may include organic substances such as coal
minimum detectable concentration (MDC)
the net concentration that has a specified chance of being detected, an estimate of the detection capability of a measuring system
mining use
water used for quarrying and mineral extraction
minute
an official record of what was said and done in a meeting
miscible
forming a homogeneous mixture when added together
mitigation
actions taken to reduce the seriousness of something
Mohorovičić discontinuity
KDS4444
May 26, 2016
Wikipedia Mohorovičić discontinuity
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Mohorovi%C4%8Di%C4%87
_discontinuity#/media/
File:Subduction-en.svg
CC BY-SA 4.0
mixed liquor suspended solids
concentration of suspended solids, in an aeration tank during the activated sludge process, which occurs during the treatment of waste water
mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS)
the amount of organic or volatile suspended solids in the mixed liquor of an aeration tank, used as a measure or indication of the microorganisms present
mld
megaliters per day
Mohorovičić discontinuity
the boundary between the Earth's crust and the mantle, also called the Moho
Mohs hardness scale
scale used to classify a mineral's hardness
molecular polarity
a separation of electric charge in a molecule that results in a negatively charged end and a positively charged end
molecule
a group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction
Mohs hardness scale
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
https://www.nps.gov/articles/
mohs-hardness-scale.htm
public domain
monadnock
an isolated hill or ridge of erosion-resistant rock rising above a peneplain
monitor well
a well designed and drilled for monitoring purposes
monoclinal ridge
top of a step-like fold in rock strata consisting of a zone of steeper dip within an otherwise horizontal or gently-dipping sequence
monocline
a bend in rock strata that are otherwise uniformly dipping or horizontal
monsoon
a seasonal change in prevailing wind direction that often results in weeks or months of rainy weather
montmorillonite
an aluminum-rich clay mineral of the smectite group, containing some sodium and magnesium
monzonite
a granular igneous rock with a composition between syenite and diorite, containing equal amounts of orthoclase and plagioclase
Grandview-Phantom monocline in the Grand Canyon
J. Stuby
May 20, 2009
Wikipedia monocline
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Monocline#/media/File:
Grandview-Phantom_Monocline.jpg
public domain
moon
a natural satellite of a celestial body
moraine
accumulated glacial debris
morphology
the branch of biology that deals with the form of living organisms, and with relationships between their structures
mud
soil, loam, silt or clay mixed with water
multistage flash distillation
a sea water desalination process that converts water into steam in multiple stages
municipal demand
all non-agricultural uses of water
municipal distribution system
a system of pipes and canals within a municipal provider's service area
municipal provider
a city, town, private water company or irrigation district that provides water for municipal use
mylonite
is a fine-grained, compact metamorphic rock produced by recrystallization of its minerals
N↑
The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/ASU
Jun. 17, 2019
NASA Solar System Exploration
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/
2460/lunar-near-side/?
category=moons_earths-moon
public domain
nanofiltration (NF)
a membrane liquid-separation technology that removes multivalent ions
native element
occurs in nature in a nearly pure state, metals include platinum, iridium, osmium, iron, zinc, tin, gold, silver, copper, mercury, lead and chromium, semimetals include bismuth, antimony, arsenic, tellurium and selenium and nonmetals include sulfur and carbon
natural satellite
an astronomical body that orbits a planet, dwarf planet or small solar system body, often called a moon
nautical mile
unit used in measuring distances at sea equal to approximately 2,025 yards or 1,852 meters
navigable waters
waters that are subject to tidal action and those that may be used for interstate or foreign commerce
neap tide
a tide just after the first or third quarters of the Moon when there is least difference between high and low water
negative environmental feedback loop
an environmental process that diminishes the effect of climate forcing
neopelagic
refers to a marine environment in the Great Garbage Patch were open-ocean and coastal species live together
Nepheline from Morocco
R. Lavinsky
Mar. 2010
Wikipedia nepheline
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Nepheline#/media/
File:Nepheline-Schorlomite-250211.jpg
CC BY-SA 3.0
nepheline
a silica-undersaturated aluminosilicate that occurs in intrusive and volcanic rocks with low silica, and in their associated pegmatites
nephelometric turbidity unit (NTU)
unit that expresses water turbidity
net neutral recharge
volume of water naturally recharging the groundwater supply minus natural depletions to the groundwater supply
neutron
a neutrally-charged subatomic particle in atomic nuclei
new large landscape user
a non-residential facility with water-intensive landscaping of more than 10,000 square feet that has landscaping planted or bodies of water, other than pools, establised after January 1, 1990, schools, parks, cemetaries, golf courses, common housing areas and recreational facilities are excluded
new large municipal provider
a municipal provider that serves more than 250 acre-feet for non-irrigation purposes during a calendar year
newly turfed area
land planted with warm-season grass that was not planted in the previous calendar year
new sources standards of performance (NSPS)
reflect effluent reductions based on the best available demonstrated control technology
newton
force that would give a mass of one kilogram an acceleration of one meter per second per second
nickel
a silver-white hard malleable, ductile, metallic element capable of a high polish and resistant to corrosion used in alloys and as a catalyst
nimbostratus
a type of cloud forming a thick uniform gray layer at low altitude, from which rain or snow often falls, without any lightning or thunder
Nickel
Periodic Table of Videos
Aug. 21, 2017
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUmoaZn9bek
Embedded video, no copy made
nitrate
usually combined with sodium or potassium and used as a fertilizer
nitrite
a salt or ester of nitrous acid
nitrogen
a colorless, odorless unreactive gas that forms about 78% of Earth's atmosphere
nitrogenous
refers to a substance containing nitrogen
nitrogen oxides
a group of highly reactive gases, including nitrogen dioxide, nitrous acid and nitric acid
nitrous oxide
a colorless greenhouse gas with a sweetish odor, prepared by heating ammonium nitrate
Nitrogen
Periodic Table of Videos
Jun. 20, 2018
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8XNdqA18-M
Embedded video, no copy made
non-basic sector
depend on the local population as the source of demand
nonconformity
exists between sedimentary rocks and metamorphic or igneous rocks when the sedimentary rock lies above and was deposited on the pre-existing and eroded metamorphic or igneous rock
non-exempt well
a well having a pump with a maximum capacity of more than 35 gallons per minute which is used to withdraw groundwater
non-governmental organization (NGO)
a nonprofit organization operating independently of any government, and typically addressing environmental, social or political issues
non-irrigation grandfathered district
a well within an active management area with a maximum pumping capacity of more than 25 gallons per minute and used for non-irrigation purposes
non-irrigation grandfathered right
refers to grandfathered rights within an active management area associated with irrigated land retired after January 1, 1965
non-jurisdictional dam
an artificial barrier that does not meet the requirements for a jurisdictional dam
non-point source discharge
water associated with agriculture, construction, forestry, grazing, recreational, urban stormwater and other runoff sources
non-potable
refers to water that is not safe to drink
non-potable reuse
planned water reuse applications, including irrigation, landscaping, recreational lakes, toilets, fire hydrants, decorative fountains and other uses that do not require drinking water quality
non-transient non-community water system (NTNCWS)
a public water system that regularly supplies water to at least 25 of the same people at least six months per year, includes schools, factories, office buildings and hospitals which have their own water systems
non-use value of water
values of habitat provision, ecosystem services, and wildfire prevention
nor'easter
a storm that travels along the Eastern Seaboard and brings winds from the northeast
Normal fault and drag folds,
Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming
J. St. John
Aug. 16, 2010
Wikipedia faults
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Fault_(geology)#/media/
File:Normal_fault_&_drag_folds_
(eastern_flanks_of_
the_Bighorn_Mountains,_
Wyoming,_USA).jpg
CC BY 2.0
normal fault
a dip-slip fault in which the block above the fault has moved downward relative to the block below
normal flow rights
entitlements to unregulated or natural flow of water in the Salt and Verde Rivers as it existed before construction of SRP reservoirs
normal storage capacity
total volume in acre-feet at normal retention level
Northerly international Boundary (NIB)
border above the Morales Dam 1.1 miles downstream from the California-Baja California land boundary between Los Algodones and Yuma County
Northern Hemisphere
the half of the Earth north of the equator
nucleic acid
a complex organic substance present in living cells, especially DNA or RNA, whose molecules consist of many nucleotides linked in a long chain
nucleoside
a nucleotide with a sugar attached
nucleotide
a compound consisting of a nucleoside linked to a phosphate group, forms the basic structural unit of nucleic acids such as DNA
nuisance flood
shallow flood resulting from higher sea level, wash over roads and into storm drains during high tide
O↑
Oblique-slip fault
A. Rehman
Oct. 3, 2021
Wikipedia faults
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Fault_(geology)#/media/
File:Oblique_slip_fault.svg
CC BY-SA 4.0
oblique-slip fault
has a component of dip-slip fault and a component of strike-slip fault
obsidian
a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock, produced when felsic lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimal crystal growth
ocean
refers to Earth's largest water bodies
ocean trench
a long, narrow depression in the ocean floor
ogee spillway
an overflow spillway constructed in cross-section the crest
olivine
an olive-green, gray-green, or brown silicate mineral occurring widely in basalt, peridotite, and other basic igneous rocks
omphacite ((Ca, Na)(Mg, Fe2+, Al)Si2O6)
a member of the pyroxene group of silicate minerals
on-farm irrigation efficiency
total water requirements to produce crop divided by the total quantity of water applied to the crop during growing season
ooid
small, spheroidal, coated sedimentary grains, usually composed of calcium carbonate, iron or phosphate-based minerals, usually form on the sea floor in shallow tropical seas
open ditch system
supplied water runs across the upper end of a field
oreodont
an extinct, four-toed, ruminant, artiodactyl mammal of the Merycoidodontidae and Agriochoeridae families living in North America from the Eocene to the early Pliocene and resembling swine
Arizona basalt with olivine crystals
V. Smith
Jul. 27, 2005
Wikipedia olivine
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Olivine#/media/
File:Peridot_in_basalt.jpg
CC BY-SA 3.0
organelle
an organized or specialized structure in a living cell
organic (agriculture)
produced or involving production without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides or other artificial substances
organic (biology)
related to living matter
organic compound
a chemical compound in which carbon atoms are are linked to hydrogen, oxygen or nitrogen atoms
organic contaminants
original horizontality
geologic principle stating that layers of sediment are originally deposited horizontally under the action of gravity
orogeny
a process by which Earth's crust is folded and deformed, creating mountains
orograph
machine used in making topographical maps that is operated by being pushed across country and that records both distances and elevations
orographic
relating to the position and form of mountains
orographic precipitation
occurs on the windward side of mountains and is caused by motion of rising, moist air across a mountain ridge
Ooids in limestone of the Middle Jurassic
Carmel Formation in Southwestern Utah
M. A. Wilson
May 17, 2018
Wikipedia limestone
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Limestone#/media/
File:Ooids_Carmel_Formation_Jurassic.jpg
CC0 public domain
orthoclase
a white or pink crystal rock-forming mineral rich in feldspar
osmosis
movement of water molecules through a thin membrane
osmotic pressure
the pressure that would have to be applied to a pure solvent to prevent it from passing into a given solution by osmosis
outfall
the outlet where reclaimed water is discharged into a water body
outflow
all water leaving a water system
outstanding remarkable value (ORV)
a river-related value must be a unique, rare, or exemplary feature that is significant at a comparative regional or national scale, and can be scenic, recreational, geological, fish-related, wildlife-related, historic, cultural, botanical, hydrological, paleontological, scientific or other value
overdraft
condition that results when more water is pumped out of an aquifer than is being naturally recharged
overseeded area
an area of land planted with cool-season grass that grows over a dormant warm-season grass
outer core
a fluid layer about 2,260 km (1,400 mi) thick composed of mostly iron and nickel that lies above Earth's solid inner core and below its mantle
oxbow lake
a curved lake formed where the main stream of a river has cut across the narrow end and no longer flows around the loop of the bend
oxidane
the official chemical name for water
oxidation-reduction reaction
a type of chemical reaction that involves a transfer of electrons between two substances
oxidation ditch
a component of the wastewater treatment process that provides long-term aeration, consists of a long channel laid out in an elliptical or circular configuration, the channel includes mechanical aeration equipment, such as brush rotors, disc aerators, draft tube aerators, or fine bubble diffusers
Oxygen
Periodic Table of Videos
Dec. 21, 2008
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuG5WTId-IY
Embedded video, no copy made
oxide
consists of metal ions covalently bonded with oxygen
oxidizing
chemically combining with oxygen
oxygen
a colorless, odorless reactive gas, the chemical element of atomic number 8 and the life-supporting component of the air
oxygen demand
oxygen needed for water biological and chemical processes
ozone
a pale blue greenhouse gas with a distinctively pungent smell, also called trioxygen
P↑
Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO)
a long-term ocean fluctuation of the Pacific Ocean which waxes and wanes approximately every 20 to 30 years
paleoclimatology
the branch of science that deals with past climates
A group of palsas
Dentren
Jun. 17, 2009
Wikipedia palsa
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Palsa#/media/
File:Palsaaerialview.jpg
CC BY-SA 3.0
paleontologist
a scientist who studies fossils
Paleozoic
relating to or denoting the era between the Precambrian eon and the Mesozoic era
palsa
peat mound with a permanently frozen peat and mineral soil core
Pangaea
a supercontinent that existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras
paper water
the water that an entity is legally entitled to use, but which may not be readily accessible or available
paraconformity
strata on either side of the unconformity are parallel, there is little apparent erosion
paradigm shift
a fundamental change in the basic concepts, theories and experimental practices of a scientific discipline
parcel
an air bubble that keeps its shape as it rises or sinks in the atmosphere
particle size
diamter of suspended sediment
Particle size classifications
material
size in mm
clay
0.00024-0.004
silt
0.004-0.062
sand
0.62-2.0
gravel
2.0-64.0
Source: USGS water science glossary,
https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/
water-science-school/science/
water-science-glossary
passive storage system
allows plants to access water stored in soil
pathogen
a virus, bacteria or fungus that causes disease
peak flow gage
a device that measures the maximum discharge of a stream or river
Pearson scales
path length and path width parameters to the Fujita scale
peat
brown material similar to soil that forms from decomposition of vegetable matter in bogs and fens
pediment
a broad, gently sloping expanse of buried rock debris extending outward from the foot of a mountain slope, especially in a desert
pedosphere
Earth's outermost layer, composed of soil and subject to soil formation processes
pegmatite
a coarsely crystalline granite or other igneous rock with crystals several centimeters to several meters in length
Pegmatite containing lepidolite, tourmaline,
and quartz from the White Elephant Mine
in the Black Hills, South Dakota
J. Stuby
Apr. 16, 2007
Wikipedia pegmatite
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Pegmatite#/media/
File:We-pegmatite.jpg
public domain
peneplain
a level land surface produced by prolonged erosion
per capita use
average amount of water used per person during a certain time
perchlorate
the anion created when perchloric acid and its salts dissociate in water
percolation
process of a liquid slowly passing through a filter or the ground
perennial
present all seasons of the year
perennial stream
refers to a stream which flows throughout the year through at least parts of its stream bed during years of normal rainfall
perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
a chemical used in stain-resistant fabrics, fire-fighting foams, food packaging and as a surfactant in industrial processes
perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
a manufactured perfluorochemical and a byproduct in producing fluoropolymers
perfluorotributylamine
organofluorine compound and greenhouse gas in which all the hydrogens have been replaced by fluorine atoms
Periodic table explained
AtomicSchool
Apr. 6, 2014
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPkEGAHo78o
Embedded video, no copy made
peridotite
a dense, coarse-grained plutonic rock containing a large amount of olivine, believed to be the main constituent of Earth's mantle
period
major rank below an era and above an epoch
periodic table
tabular display of the chemical elements
permafrost
thick subsurface layer of soil that remains frozen throughout the year, usually in polar regions
permanent system
an irrigation system set in place and not moved through the irrigation season
permeable
a material that allows liquids or gases to pass through it
Phosphorus
Periodic Table of Videos
Aug. 22, 2010
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSYLUat03A4
Embedded video, no copy made
permeable reactive barrier (PRB)
an inground wall which removes impurities from water that passes through it
Permian
a geologic period which spans 47 million years from the end of the Carboniferous period 298.9 million years ago to the beginning of the Triassic period 251.902 million years ago, it is the last period of the Paleozoic era
Permian-Eocene Thermal Maximum
a short interval of maximum temperature aboout 55 million years ago lasting approximately 100,000 years during the late Paleocene and early Eocene epochs
petajoule (PJ)
a unit of energy equal to one million billion joules
phacolith
a pluton of igneous rock parallel to the bedding plane or foliation of folded country rock
pH scale
USGS
https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/ph-scale-0
public domain
phase diagram
displays the temperature and pressure at which a substance changes to and from a solid, liquid or gas
phenology
the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate and plant and animal life
phosphate
a molecule containing one atom of phosphorus covalently bound to four oxygen residues
phosphorous
a poisonous, combustible nonmetal which exists as white phosphorus, a yellowish waxy solid which ignites spontaneously in air and glows in the dark, and red phosphorus, a less reactive form used in making matches
photodegradation
decay of material due to light exposure
photodissociation
process in which a photon from the Sun breaks an atmospheric atom or molecule into new atoms or molecules
photosynthesis
process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water
phreatophyte
a plant with a deep root system that draws its water supply from near the water table
pH scale
used to specify how acidic or alkaline a water-based solution is, acidic solutions have lower pH, and alkaline solutions have higher pH
phyllite
a type of foliated metamorphic rock created from slate further metamorphosed so that very fine grained white mica achieves a preferred orientation
phylum
a principal taxonomic category that ranks above class and below kingdom
physics
the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy
physiography
the geography subfield that studies physical patterns and processes to understand forces that produce and change rocks, oceans, weather and global flora and fauna patterns
Plagioclase
USGS
Jan. 7, 2005
Wikipedia plagioclase
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Plagioclase#/media/
File:PlagioclaseFeldsparUSGOV.jpg
public domain
physiology
the branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts
phytoplankton
plankton consisting of microscopic plants
piedmont
a gentle slope leading from the base of mountains to a region of flat land
piedmont glacier
a fan or lobe-shaped glacier, located at the front of a mountain range
piezometer
device which measures the pressure of groundwater at a specific point
pinnacle
a high, pointed piece of rock
plagioclase
a typically white form of feldspar consisting of aluminosilicates of sodium or calcium, common in igneous rocks
planetary science
the science of the similarities and differences of planetary bodies
plankton
the small and microscopic organisms drifting or floating in the sea or fresh water, consisting of diatoms, protozoans, small crustaceans, and the eggs and larval stages of larger animals
The plate tectonics revolution: Crash course geography #19
CrashCourse
Jul. 12, 2021
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CPv0NSIG2M
Embedded video, no copy made
planned water reuse
refers to water systems designed to beneficially reuse wastewater, includes agricultural and landscape irrigation, industrial process water, potable water supplies and groundwater supply management
plateau
area of relatively level high ground
plate tectonics
a theory that explains the movement of Earth's lithospheric plates over its mantle
platform
a continental area covered by relatively flat or gently tilted, mainly sedimentary strata, above older consolidated igneous or metamorphic rocks
playa
a flat, dry desert basin where water evaporates quickly
plutonic
refers to intrusive igneous rock that forms when magma is trapped deep inside the Earth
pluviometer
another term for rain gauge
Sailing stone in Racetrack playa in Death Valley, California
Lgcharlot
Dec. 5, 2006
Wikipedia playa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_lake#/
media/File:Racetrack_Playa_
in_Death_Valley_National_Park.jpg
CC BY-SA 4.0
pogonip
a dense winter fog containing frozen particles that is formed in deep mountain valleys of the western U.S.
point-source pollution
water coming from a single pollution source
polar cell
at the 60th parallel, air rises to the tropopause and moves poleward, moving to the east, when the air reaches the polar areas, it is cooler and denser, it descends creating a cold, dry high-pressure area, at the polar surface level, the mass of air is driven toward the 60th parallel, replacing the air that rose there, completing the cell circulation
polar glacier
a glacier in which ice temperatures always remain below the freezing point
polar molecule
a molecule in which one end of the molecule is slightly positive, while the other end is slightly negative
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
group of synthetic, toxic industrial chemicals that were banned in 1979 with the Toxic Substances Control Act
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)
a class of chemicals found in coal, crude oil, and gasoline that can cause a variety of negative health effects, including cancer
polyfluoroalkyl substances
a group of man-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other chemicals
Polynya
M. Beauregard
Jan. 27, 2019
Wikipedia polynya
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Polynya#/media/
File:Frosty_Arctic_condensation
_plume_(40590398313).jpg
CC BY 2.0
polymer
a substance made of similar molecular chains bonded together
polynya
an area of open water surrounded by sea ice
polysaccharide
a carbohydrate, such as starch, cellulose or glycogen, whose molecules consist of a number of sugar molecules bonded together
poly tubing
a thin-walled, flexible plastic tube that has holes punched to permit water to flow into furrows, borders or basins
polyvinyl chloride
high strength thermoplastic material widely used in pipes, medical devices, wire and cable insulation
poor quality groundwater withdrawal permit
issued to non-irrigation water users to extract poor quality water that can be used for other beneficial uses
porosity
amount of space between soil or rock particles where water can be stored
porous
rock having minute spaces or holes through which liquid or air may pass
porphyritic
denoting a rock texture, typically found in volcanic rocks, containing distinct crystalline particles
positive environmental feedback loop
accelerates an environmental response, such as increasing ice melting rates or raising global temperatures
post-1991 acres
water-intensive landscaped area or low water use landscaped area that did not exist before Decemeber 31, 1991
Potassium
Periodic Table of Videos
Oct. 13, 2008
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPdevJTGAYY
Embedded video, no copy made
potable
refers to water that is safe to drink
potash
an alkaline potassium compound, especially potassium carbonate or hydroxide
potassium
the chemical element of atomic number 19, a soft silvery-white reactive metal of the alkali metal group
potentiometric surface
the gravitational equalization level of a water body
power
the amount of energy transferred or converted per unit time
ppb
parts per billion
ppm
parts per million
ppt
parts per trillion
practically irrigable acreage (PIA)
the place of use of an undeveloped water right claim of an allottee, or the transferee of an allottee, as determined in the Klamath Adjudication
pre-1985 acres
water intensive landscaped area or low water use landscaped area that existed as of December 31, 1984
Precambrian
the earliest part of Earth's history, set before the current Phanerozoic Eon
How does your water system work?
EPA
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-10/
documents/epa-ogwdw-publicwatersystems-final508.pdf
public domain
precipitable water
a measure of the total amount of water vapor contained in a small vertical column extending from the surface to the top of the atmosphere
precipitation
any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that falls under gravity, includes drizzle, rain, sleet, snow, graupel and hail
preliminary treatment
removal of suspended and floating particles
pretreatment standards for existing sources (PSES)
national, uniform, technology-based standards that apply to indirect dischargers
pretreatment standards for new sources (PSNS)
national, uniform, technology-based standards that apply to new indirect dischargers
primary treatment
first stage in wastewater treatment where some solids and organic material are removed by screening and sedimentation
prime meridian
an arbitrary line of longitude in a geographic coordinate system at which longitude is defined to be 0o
prior appropriation doctrine
private water company
a private company that distributes or sells groundwater
protist
a single-celled organism of the kingdom Protista, such as a protozoan or simple alga
proton
a positively-charged subatomic particle in atomic nuclei
protonation
adding of a proton, hydron, or hydrogen cation to an atom, molecule, or ion, forming a conjugate acid
protozoan
a single-celled microscopic animal of a group of phyla of the kingdom Protista, including amoeba, flagellate, ciliate, or sporozoan
pseudotachylyte
a fine-grained to glassy, dark, cohesive veined rock formed during earthquakes
psychrometer
a hygrometer consisting of a wet-bulb and a dry-bulb thermometer
pterosaur
extinct Mesozoic flying reptile
publicly owned treatment works (POTW)
systems used to store, treat, recycle, or reclaim municipal wastewater or industrial liquid wastes owned by a state, municipality, sewer district or other public entity
public supply
water withdrawn by public governments and agencies
public trust doctrine
principle that certain natural and cultural resources are preserved and that the government owns and must protect and maintain these resources for public use
public utility
any person, corporation, district, electric cooperative, public agency or political subdivision of a state that provides electric services to the public
A geologist explores a pyroclastic flow
from Mt. St. Helens
D. A. Swanson/USGS
May 29, 1980
Wikipedia pyroclastic rock
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Pyroclastic_rock#/media/
File:Pyroclastic_Flow_St._Helens.jpg
public domain
public waters
waters of all sources flowing in streams, canyons, ravines or other natural channels, flood, waste or surplus water, or water on the surface of lakes, ponds and springs
public water system (PWS)
a system that provides water to the public for human consumption through pipes or other constructed conveyances, if that system has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves at least 25 individuals
pyroclastic
relating to, consisting of, or denoting fragments of rock erupted by a volcano
pyroxene
a large class of rock-forming silicate minerals, generally containing calcium, magnesium, and iron and typically occurring as prismatic crystals
pyrope
the most well-known gemstone form of garnet
Q↑
quadruped
an animal which has four feet
quantification
identifying the amount of water to which users hold rights
quark
a subatomic particle that interacts via the strong force and is considered to be a fundamental building block of matter
Hieroglyphic Mountains recharge project
Arizona Water Banking Authority
Water Bank Storage Facilities
https://waterbank.az.gov/storage-facilities
public domain
quartz
a hard white or colorless mineral consisting of silicon dioxide, found widely in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks
quartzite
a hard, non-foliated metamorphic rock which was originally pure quartz sandstone
R↑
radical
a group of atoms behaving as a unit in a number of compounds
radioactivity
emission of particles caused by the spontaneous disintegration of atomic nuclei
radio-echo sounding system
a transmitter and receiver system that sends out radio waves and detects those waves bounced from objects
rainbow
an colored arc of light, similar to a spectrum appearing in the sky, caused by reflection, refraction and dispersion of light in water droplets visible opposite the Sun
rain gauge
a deviced used to measure precipitation
Rainwater harvesting
Adityamail
Aug. 6, 2010
Wikipedia rainwater harvesting
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Rainwater_management#/media/
File:Simple_Diagram_to_show
_Rainwater_Harvesting.png
CC BY 3.0
rain shadow
dry area on the leeward side of a mountain, away from the wind
rainwater harvesting
collecting rain from roofs, patios and other surfaces
range
a series of continuous townships aligned north and south and numbered east to west from a prime meridian
rarefaction
relating to the spreading of gas particles
rating height
a data curve that shows the relationship between gage height data and stream discharge height
ravine
a deep, narrow gorge with steep sides
reach
length of a stream or river
recent stream alluvium
unconsolidated clay, sand, silt or gravel recently deposited by a stream
recessional moraine
series of ridges that run across a valley behind a terminal moraine
recharge
replenishing an aquifer by surface infiltration or by other natural or induced means
reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE)
engine that uses gas expnasion and increased pressure from fuel combustion to move pistons
reclaimed water
water treated or processed by a wastewater treatment plant
City of Tucson reclaimed water sign
City of Tucson
2022
Reclaimed Water Signs
https://www.tucsonaz.gov/
water/reclaimed-water-signs
public domain
reconstituted glacier
a glacier formed below the bottom of a hanging glacier by the accumulation, and reconstitution by pressure melting of ice blocks that have fallenor avalanched from the end of the hanging glacier
recovery
eventual withdrawal of stored water
recycled water
water used more than once before returning to a natural system
redlining
refusing a loan or insurance to someone because they live in an area deemed to be a poor financial risk
reef
a ridge of jagged rock, coral, or sand just above or below the surface of the sea
reference crop evapotranspiration
an estimate of the water used by a well-watered, full-cover grass area 8 cm to 11.5 cme in height
regression
seaward migration of a shoreline, draining of previously wet land due to sea level fall or uplift
relative humidity
the amount of water vapor present in air as a percentage of the amount needed for atmospheric saturation at the same temperature
remedial groundwater
graoundwater withdrawn pursuant to an approved remedial action project
reservoir
a large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply
residential use
non-irrigation use of water related to the activities of a singe family or multifamily housing unit or units
resonance
the reinforcement or prolongation of sound by reflection from a surface or by the synchronous vibration of a neighboring object
Rhyolite
M. C. Rygel
Feb. 11, 2014
Wikipedia rhyolite
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Rhyolite#/media/
File:PinkRhyolite.tif
CC BY-SA 3.0
respiration
a process in living organisms involving the production of energy, typically with the intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide from the oxidation of complex organic substances
return activated sludge (RAS)
settled activated sludge that is collected in the secondary clarifier or the membrane basin and returned to the aeration basin to mix with incoming raw or primary settled wastewater
return flow
water that reaches a groundwater source after release from its use point, becoming available for further use
reverse fault
the hanging wall moves up relative to the footwall
reverse osmosis (RO)
when a solvent passes through a porous membrane in the direction opposite to that for natural osmosis when subjected to a hydrostatic pressure greater than the osmotic pressure
revolution
refers to Earth's orbit around the Sun of approximately 365 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes
rhyolite
an extrusive igneous rock with a very high silica content, usually pink or gray in color with grains so small that they are difficult to observe without a hand lens, made up of quartz, plagioclase, and sanidine, with minor amounts of hornblende and biotite
ribonucleic acid (RNA)
converting genetic information from genes into the amino acid sequences of proteins
ridge (geology)
a long narrow hilltop, mountain range, or watershed
ridge (meteorology)
an elongated area of relatively high atmospheric pressure
Rime on a tree in the Black Forest, Germany
R. Fabi
Jan. 1, 2005
Wikipedia rime
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Rime_ice#/media/
File:Windbuchencom.jpg
public domain
ridiculously resilient ridge
large high-pressure mass that remains over the U.S. West Coast for prolonged periods and that diverts storms winter storms, intensifying drought
rill
a small stream
rime
frost formed on cold objects by the rapid freezing of water vapor in cloud or fog
riparian
relating to wetlands adjacent to rivers and streams
riparian doctrine
a system of water law that gives the owner of land bordering a stream or river, or riparian land, the legal right to use the water of the stream, the right to water use comes from the spatial connection between the stream or river and the riparian land
river
a natural stream of water
river flood
occurs when a river or stream overflows its banks onto normally dry land
river rock
round, smooth rock naturally shaped by erosion or weather by flowing water
rivulet
avery small stream
RNA
ribonucleic acid, a polymeric molecule essential in various biological roles in coding, decoding, regulation and expression of genes
Grand Canyon rock units
National Park Service
Mar. 12, 2008
Wikipedia Grand Canyon
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Grand_Canyon#/media/
File:Stratigraphy_of
_the_Grand_Canyon.png
public domain
rock
any naturally occurring solid mass or aggregate of minerals
rock cycle
explains how rock transforms sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous types due to pressure, temperature and weathering
rock glacier
a glacier-like landform that consists of a valley-filling accumulation of angular rock blocks, has little or no visible surface ice
rock unit
aggregations of lithologic constituents with particular relationships
rogen moraine
forms a series of ribs at right angles to the direction of the glacier flow
rogue wave
wave greater than twice the size of surrounding waves
Rossby wave
also known as planetary waves, occur naturally in rotating fluids, in Earth's ocean and atmosphere they form as a result of our planet's rotation
runaway greenhouse effect
occurs when a planet's atmosphere contains greenhouse gases that block heat escaping from the planet, preventing the planet from cooling and from having liquid water on its surface
runoff
water drainage from the surface of a land area
S↑
safe yield
long-term balance between the amount of groundwater withdrawn annually and the annual amount of natural and artificial recharge in an active management area
Saffir-Simpson scale
classifies hurricanes and tropical cyclones, that exceed intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms, into five categories distinguished by sustained wind intensities
sagebrush
a shrubby aromatic North American plant of the daisy family
saline
containing salt
salinity
the degree to which something is salty
Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale
1-minute maximum sustained winds
category
m/s
knots
mph
km/h
5
70
137
157
252
4
58-70
113-136
130-156
209-251
3
50-58
96-112
111-129
178-208
2
43-49
83-95
96-110
154-177
1
33-42
64-82
74-95
119-153
tropical
storm
18-32
34-63
39-73
63-118
tropical
depression
17
33
38
62
Source: National Hurricane Center,
https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php
salt
any chemical compound formed from the reaction of an acid with a base, with all or part of the hydrogen of the acid replaced by a metal or other cation
saltstraumen
a small strait with a very strong tidal current
salt wedge
an estuary where fresh water floats on top of salt water
sandstone
sedimentary rock composed of sand-size grains of mineral, rock, or organic material
sanitary sewer
a pipe that carries wastewater from residences, commercial buildings, industrial plants or institutions
Sargassum
brown algae with leafy segments, air bladders or spore-bearing structures
sauropod
a very large plant-eating quadruped dinosaur with a long neck and tail, small head and massive limbs
sea
a water body smaller than an ocean but larger than a lake
seamount
a large ocean mountain that does not rise above the sea surface
schist
coarse-grained metamorphic rock which consists of layers of different minerals and can be split into thin irregular plates
San Rafael reef sandstone
G. Thomas
May 7, 2006
Wikipedia San Rafael reef
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Navajo_Sandstone#/media/
File:SanRafaelReefUT.jpg
public domain
science
the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment
scientific method
an empirical method of acquiring knowledge involving careful observation, applying rigorous skepticism about what is observed, formulating hypotheses via induction, based on such observations, experimental and measurement-based testing of deductions drawn from the hypotheses, and refinement or elimination of the hypotheses based on the experimental findings
scoria
a highly vesicular, dark colored volcanic rock that may or may not contain crystals
sea level
base level for measuring elevation and depth on Earth
seawall
a wall that prevents the sea from eroding land
Secchi depth
a measure of water transparency
secondary treatment
second stage in wastewater treatment that removes organic and inorganic substances and may involve chlorine disinfection
second-foot
a continuous flow of one cubic foot of water per second
section
one of the 36 subdivisions of a township of one square mile of 640 acres
sediment
any particulate matter that can be transported by fluid flow and which eventually is deposited as a layer of solid particles on the bed or bottom of a body of water or other liquid
sedimentary
relating to solid particles or rocks deposited in bodies of water
Selenium
Periodic Table of Videos
Jul. 16, 2008
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHrUtKjcAFE
Embedded video, no copy made
sedimentation tanks
wastewater tanks from which floating solids are removed
seepage
slow movement or loss of water through cracks, pores, canals, ditches or reservoirs
seismic
relating to earthquakes or other vibrations of the Earth and its crust
seismograph
a device that records of seismic waves caused by an earthquake
selenite
a form of gypsum occurring as transparent crystals, sometimes in thin plates
selenium
a photosensitive element that occurs in crystalline and amorphous forms, obtained as a by-product in copper refining, used in glass, semiconductor devices and alloys
Serpentinite from Golden Gate Recreation Area
E. Zimbres
Jun. 30, 2010
Wikipedia serpentinite
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Serpentinite#/media/
File:Serpentinite.JPG
CC BY-SA 3.0
self-propelled traveler system
a large single water gun mounted on a trailer or cart that projects water through a single nozzle up to 200 feet
self-supplied water
water obtained from a private well
septic tank
a tank used to hold domestic water wastes
serpentinite
a metamorphic rock that is mostly composed of ultramific rocks that have undergone hydrous alteration
service area right
the right of a city, town, private water company or irrigation district within an active management area to withdraw and deliver groundwater to customers
service connection
the physical connection between a municipal water system and its customer
settling pond
an open lagoon that stores waste water and allows contaminants to sink
sewage
untreated wastes from toilets, baths, sinks, laundries and other plumbing fixtures in places of human habitation, employment or recreation
sewage treatment plant
a facility that eliminates many pollutants from wastewater
sewer
an underground pipe system that transports wastewater to treatment facilities
shadescale
a small shrub with woody, thorny branches and leaves with a whitish, scale-like coating
shale
soft, finely stratified sedimentary rock that formed from consolidated mud or clay and can be split easily into fragile slabs
shield
a large area of exposed Precambrian crystalline igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks that form tectonically stable areas
Silver
Periodic Table of Videos
Nov. 26, 2009
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPd5qAb4J50
Embedded video, no copy made
shoal
a natural submerged ridge, bank or bar consisting of sand or other loose material rising from a body of water near the surface
siderite
a mineral composed of ferrous carbonate
silicate
a salt in which the anion contains both silicon and oxygen, especially one of the anion SiO42-
silt
fine sand, clay, or other material carried by running water and deposited as a sediment
siltation
process of blocking something with sand or soil
silver
a malleable, polishable, metallic chemical element, has the highest thermal and electric conductivity of any substance, used in jewelry, tableware, electronics, and as an antimicrobial
Sinkholes Appearing in Popular AZ Tourist Areas
ABC15 Arizona
Aug. 11, 2010
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfO2RHD42D4
Embedded video, no copy made
sinkhole
depression or hole in the ground caused by some form of collapse of the surface layer
siphon
a tube used to move water from a reservoir
slate
a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism
sleet
precipitation consisting of ice pellets, often mixed with rain or snow
slot canyon
a long, narrow canyon channel with vertical sedimentary rock walls
slough
an area of soft muddy ground
sludge volume index (SVI)
a number accounting for 30-minute settleability test result and the activated sludge mixed liquor suspended solids test result that describes the ability of the sludge to settle and compact
Digital soils survey map of the Patagonia Mountains
L. Norman et al.
Jun. 30, 2010
USGS
https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2002/0324/images/scs_soil.jpg
public domain
slump
created when a mass of loosely consolidated materials or a rock layer moves a short distance down a slope
small community water system
a community water system that annually serves 1,850 acre-feet or less of water to customers
small municipal provider
a municipal provider within an active management area that serves 250 acre-feet or less of water for non-irrigation purposes
smectite
hydrous aluminum silicates containing iron and magnesium as well as either sodium or calcium
snow
ice crystal precipitation
snowpack
a compressed and hardened snow mass
snow water equivalent (SWE)
amount of water contained in snowpack that would theoretically appear if the snow were melted
soda
sodium carbonate, especially as a natural mineral or as an industrial chemical
sodium
a silver-white, soft, waxy, ductile, chemically-active element that occurs abundantly in nature
sodium bisulfate (NaHSO4)
an acid salt formed by partial neutralization of sulfuric acid by an equivalent of sodium base
Soil profile with bedrock
Wilsonbiggs
Dec. 23, 2021
Wikipedia bedrock
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Bedrock#/media/
File:Soil_Horizons.svg
CC BY-SA 4.0
soil
upper layer of earth in which plants grow, a black or dark brown material typically consisting of a mixture of organic remains, clay, and rock particles
soil-aquifer treatment
use of the physical, chemical, and microbiological properties of the soil and the aquifer to provide treatment of water introduced into the groundwater system
soil moisture
the water stored in soil
soil profile
vertical succession of horizons, commonly lettered A, B, C, beginning at the surface, that have been subjected to soil-forming processes, including leaching and oxidation
sol
a collection of very fine particles dispersed in a medium in which the particles are solid and the dispersion medium is fluid
solids retention time (SRT)
the time the solid fraction of the wastewater spends in a treatment unit
solstice
occurs when the Sun appears to reach its most northerly, around June 21, or southerly, around December 21, positions relative to the celestial equator on the celestial sphere
soluble
able to be dissolved, especially in water
solute
substance dissolved into another substance
solution
a liquid mixture in which the minor component referred to as the solute is uniformly distributed within the major component referred to as the solvent
solvent
a substance able to dissolve other substances
Southerly international Boundary (SIB)
located across the land border near San Luis, Arizona and including water below the Morales Dam
Southern Hemisphere
the half of the Earth south of the equator
Water in Hoover Dam's spillway during the 1983 floods
Bureau of Reclamation
Jul. 1983
Wikipedia spillway
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Spillway#/media/
File:Hoover_Dam_and_Arizona
_Spillway,_1983.jpg
public domain
South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ)
a west-northwest to east-southeast aligned trough extending from the west Pacific warm pool southeastwards towards French Polynesia
specific heat
the amount of energy required to change the temperature of a substance
specific humidity
ratio of the mass of water vapor to the total mass of the air parcel
spectrum
the range of colors observed when white light was dispersed through a prism
speleothem
a mineral deposit formed in a cave
spillwater
water other than Colorado River water released for beneficial use from storage, diversion, or distribution facilities to avoid spilling that would otherwise occur due to uncontrolled surface water
spillway
a structure that allows water to flow directly into the river or other body of water below a dam, bypassing all tunnels, turbines and generators
spirit level
an instrument designed to indicate whether a surface is horizontal or vertical
sporozoan
parasitic spore-forming protozoan of the phylum or class Sporozoa
spray irrigation
high-pressure water applied to crops
spring
natural flow of water from the ground or from rocks, representing an outlet for the water that has accumulated in permeable rock strata underground
spring tide
a tide just after a new or full moon, when there is the greatest difference between high and low water
Stalactites at Timpanogos Cave
National Park Service
Oct. 16, 2019
Timpagonos Cave: Captivating Canyon Caves
https://www.nps.gov/tica/index.htm
public domain
sprinkler system
a pressure-driven, spraying irrigation water system that sprays water in the air above the crop canopy or below the crop canopy to mimic precipitation
stabilization lagoon
a treatment facility consisting of shallow man-made basins comprising a single or several series of anaerobic, facultative or maturation ponds operated without aeration and allowing suspended solids to settle, the soluble organic matter is reduced through the coordinated activity of algae and heterotrophic bacteria
stage
water level above a designated point
stalactite
a tapering structure hanging from the roof of a cave, formed of calcium salts deposited by dripping water
stalagmite
a mound or tapering column rising from the floor of a cave, formed of calcium salts deposited by dripping water and often uniting with a stalactite
steam
water in a gas state
state demonstration project
a project for the storage of excess CAP water in an underground storage facility
stibnite
a soft grey material that is the most important source for the metalloid antimony
stockpond
a storage area for storing water for watering for livestock and wildlife
Stope in Bisbee's Copper Queen mine
D. Meeks
Sep. 18, 2022
Image taken by and used with
permission of the author
stoma
minute pores in the epidermis of the leaf or stem of a plant, forming a slit of variable width which allows movement of gases in and out of the intercellular spaces
stope
an excavation in a mine working or quarry in the form of a step or notch
storage capacity
maximum volume of water that can be stored by a reservoir
storage facility
a groundwater savings facility
stored water
water stored underground for later use per an underground water storage, savings and replenishment permit
storm sewer
sewer that transports surface runoff
Strahler stream order
system used to define stream size based on a hierarchy of tributaries
strata
layers of sedimentary rock or soil, or igneous rock that was formed at the Earth's surface, with internally consistent characteristics that distinguish it from other layers
stratigraphy
branch of geology concerned with the order and relative position of strata and their relationship to the geological time scale
stratocumulus
cloud forming a low layer of clumped or broken gray masses
Space shuttle Endeavour between
the stratosphere and the mesosphere
NASA/Expedition Crew 22
Feb. 9, 2010
Wikipedia stratosphere
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Mesosphere#/media/
File:Endeavour_silhouette
_STS-130.jpg
public domain
stratosphere
Earth's second atmospheric layer, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere and composed of stratified temperature layers
stratovolcano
a volcano built up of alternate layers of lava and ash
stratus
cloud forming a continuous horizontal gray sheet, often with rain or snow
stream
a flowing body of water
streamflow
water discharge in a natural channel
strike-slip fault
the fault surface is nearly vertical and the footwall moves left or right with very little vertical motion
strong force
binds quarks together to form protons and neutrons
structural deficit
having an insufficient water supply due to miscalculation by past water managers and politicians
subaerial
existing, occurring, or formed in the open air or on the earth's surface, not underwater or underground
subaerial erosion
refer to the processes of weathering and mass movement
subaqueous
existing, formed or taking place in or under water
sub-basin
an area that encloses a distinct body of groundwater
subbing
the process of filling the furrows with water for 7 to 10 days to facilitate uniform germination and early season crop development
subdivision
land divided for the purpose of sale or lease into six or more lots or parcels
subduction
occurs at convergent tectonic plate boundaries where a denser plate moves under a less dense plate
subflow
underground water, usually found bordering on a stream, considered to be part of the surface stream and subject to the same laws and rules as other types of surface water
subglacial
situated or occurring underneath a glacier or ice sheet
Subsidence in Cochise County
D. Galloway et al./USGS
1999
Land Subsidence in the United States, Circular 1182
https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1999/1182/report.pdf
public domain
sublimation
transition of a substance directly from the solid to the gas phase, without passing through the intermediate liquid phase
submarine canyon
a steep-sided valley cut into the seabed of the continental slope
submarine river
a river-like current on the seabed
sub-regional
non-metropolitan wastewater reclamation facilities operated by Pima County, including Arivaca Junction, Avra Valley, Corona de Tucson, Green Valley, Mount Lemmon, and Pima County Fairgrounds/dd>
subsidence
the downward movement or sinking of Earth's surface caused by removal of underlying support
subsoil
the soil lying immediately under the surface soil
substratum
an underlying layer of rock or soil beneath the ground
sulfate
a salt of sulfuric acid, containing the anion SO42-
sulfide
mineral in which metals are bonded to sulfur
Sulfur
Periodic Table of Videos
Oct. 20, 2008
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGMR72X8V-U
Embedded video, no copy made
sulfur
a yellow combustible non-metal element with atomic number 16
sulfur dioxide
a colorless pungent toxic gas formed by burning sulfur in air
sulfur hexafluoride
inorganic, colorless, odorless, non-flammable, and non-toxic potent and persistent greenhouse gas
sulfuric acid
a strong acid made by oxidizing solutions of sulfur dioxide
sulfuryl fluoride
a colorless, odorless greenhouse gas
sunny day flood
shallow flood resulting from higher sea level, wash over roads and into storm drains during high tide
supercontinent
the assembly of most or all of Earth's continents into a single large landmass
supercritical fluid
substance at a temperature and pressure above its critical point, where distinct liquid and gas phases do not exist, but below the pressure required to compress it into a solid
Superfund site
a contaminated site that requires cleanup, falling under the 1980 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)
supernatum
the top level of a fluid at rest
superposition
geologic principle stating that oldest strata will lie at the bottom of an undeformed rock sequence and newer material will lie on the surface
A water strider floats due to surface tension
PD
Aug. 26, 2006
Wikipedia surface tension
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Surface_tension#/media/
File:WaterstriderEnWiki.jpg
CC BY-SA 3.0
supraglacial moraine
created by debris on top of a glacier
surface tension
when the surface of a liquid resists breaking by objects placed on it
surface water
water on Earth's surface, including streams, rivers, lakes and reservoirs
surface weather analysis
a type of weather map that provides a view of weather elements over a geographical area at a specified time based ground-based weather station data
suspended solids
small solid particles which remain in suspension in water as a colloid or due to motion of the water
sustainability
avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance
swale
a broad, shallow ditch lined with grass, vegetation or rocks used to collect and move water and prevent flooding, puddling and erosion
swamp
an area of low-lying, uncultivated ground where water collects
sward
upper layer of soil, especially when covered with grass
syenite
a coarse-grained gray igneous rock composed mainly of feldspar and hornblende
synclinal
relating to a folded rock structure in which the sides dip toward a common line or plane
Syncline in Navajo sandstone, upheaval dome,
Canyonlands National Park
J. Sutby
Jan. 23, 2009
Wikipedia syncline
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Syncline#/media/
File:Upheaval_Syncline_campsite.jpg
public domain
syncline
a trough or fold of stratified rock in which the strata slope upward from the axis
synoptic scale
a horizontal length scale of the order of 1000 kilometers (620 miles) or more
system conservation
allows users to voluntarily not use water that would have been used and leave it in Lake Mead or Lake Powell to provide conservation volumes
T↑
tailings
water slurry of fine-grained, mineral-filled wastewater from a mine or mill
tail water
refers to waters located immediately downstream from a hydraulic structure, such as a dam, bridge or culvert.
tectonic estuary
occurs where Earth's tectonic plates run into or fold up underneath each other, creating depressions
temperate glacier
a glacier in which liquid water coexists with glacier ice during part or even all of the year
temperature
degree or intensity of heat present in a substance or object
terawatt hour (TWh)
a unit of energy equal to one trillion watt hours
terminal moraine
ridge of loose debris deposited at the bottom of a glacier
terrace
a step-like landform
Thallium
Periodic Table of Videos
Sep. 7, 2021
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SVhSZ-rfLM
Embedded video, no copy made
territorial seas
coastal ocean waters subject to the jurisdiction of a coastal nation and extending up to 12 nautical miles from shore
Tertiary
relating to or denoting the first period of the Cenozoic era, between the Cretaceous and Quaternary periods, and comprising the Paleogene and Neogene subperiods
tertiary treatment
wastewater treatment beyond the secondary or biological stage that includes the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus and a high percentage of suspended solids
thallium
a soft poisonous metallic element that physically resembles lead, occurs sparsely in a number of common ores, used in the form of compounds especially in photosensitive devices
thermal pollution
usually caused by heat released from industrial or power generation processes
thermal radiation
process by which energy, in the form of electromagnetic radiation, is emitted by a heated surface
thermodormancy
seed sensitivity to heat or cold
Spring and neap tides
R. Vooren and P. Van den Keybus
Oct. 6, 2009
Wikipedia tides
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Tide#/media/
File:Tide_schematic.svg
public domain
thermodynamics
the branch of science that deals with the relations between heat and other forms of energy
thermoelectric use
water used to generate electric power
thermohaline
relating to the effects of temperature and salinity
thermosiphon
a device that passively moves heat from the ground to the air
thermosphere
Earth's second atmospheric layer, above the mesosphere and below the exosphere, layer where ultraviolet radiation causes molecular photodissociation, creating ions, constitutes a large part of the ionosphere
threatened species
any species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range
tidal bore
a large wave caused by the funneling of a flood tide as it enters a long, narrow, shallow inlet
tidal wave
an exceptionally large ocean wave, especially one caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption
tide
the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon, the Sun, and the rotation of the Earth
tide station
a device that enables sea water to enter a well that measures the water height
tidewater glacier
a glacier that ends in a body of water influenced by tides, such as the ocean or a large lake
titanothere
an extinct herbivorous hoofed mammal of the family Brontotheriidae of the Eocene and Oligocene epochs
1928 Utah topographical map
Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection
http://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/maps/topo/indexes/
txu-pclmaps-topo-ut_az-index-1928.jpg
public domain
topography
detailed description or representation on a map of the natural and artificial features of an area
tornado
a large storm that forms over land as a tall, rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm base to the ground
total dissolved solids (TDS)
describe the inorganic salts and small amounts of organic matter present in solution in water
total Kjedahl nitrogen
a method for determining the amount of nitrogen contained in organic substances plus the nitrogen contained in the inorganic compounds ammonia and ammonium
total maximum daily load (TMDL)
a regulatory term in the U.S. Clean Water Act, describing a plan for restoring impaired waters that identifies the maximum amount of a pollutant that a body of water can receive while still meeting water quality standards
total suspended solids (TSS)
refers to waterborne particles larger than 2 microns in size
tourmaline
crystalline boron silicate mineral compounded with elements such as aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium
township
a survey unit that represents a piece of land bounded on the east and west by meridians approximately 6 miles apart
trachyte
an igneous volcanic rock with an aphanitic to porphyritic texture
traditionally navigable water (TNW)
those waters that are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide and/or are presently used, or have been used in the past, or may be susceptible for use to transport interstate or foreign commerce
transform fault
occurs when two tectonic plates move past each other
transgression
landward migration of a shoreline, flooding of previously dry land due to sea level rise or subduction
transient non-community water system (TNCWS)
a public water system that provides water in a place such as a gas station or campground where people do not remain for long periods of time
translucent
allowing some light to pass through
transmissibility
capacity of rock to transport water under pressure
transpiration
exhalation of water vapor through the stomata of a plant or leaf
transverse valley
valley which cuts at right angles across a ridge or, in mountainous terrain a valley that generally runs at right angles to the line of the main mountain chain or crest
Travertine terraces at
Mammoth Hot Springs,
Yellowstone National Park
F. Schulenburg
May 2, 2016
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Travertine#/media/File:
Mammoth_Terraces.jpg
CC BY-SA 4.0
travertine
a white, tan, cream or rust-colored fibrous or concentric limestone mineral deposited by mineral hot springs
treatment
a process that changes the quality of water by physical, chemical, or biological means
trench
long, narrow depressions on the seafloor that form at the boundary of tectonic plates where one plate is pushed beneath another
Triassic
the earliest period of the Mesozoic era, spans 50.6 million years from the end of the Permian Period 251.9 million years ago, to the beginning of the Jurassic Period 201.3 million years ago
tributary
a stream which does not reach a static body of water such as a lake or ocean, but joins another river
trichloroethylene (TCE)
a colorless liquid with a chloroform-like odor
trichlorofluoromethane
a colorless, sweetish-smelling liquid that boils around room temperature becoming an ozone-depleting greenhouse gas
trifluoromethane
a colorless nonflammable greenhouse gas
trihalomethane (THM)
derivatives of methane, such as chloroform, that have three halogen atoms per molecule and can be formed during the chlorination of drinking water
trilobite
an extinct fossil arthropod recognized by its distinctive three-lobed and three-segmented form
trioxygen
another name for ozone
triple point
temperature and pressure at which solid, liquid, and vapor phases of a pure substance exist in equilibrium
tropical cyclone
a localized, intense low-pressure wind system, forming over tropical oceans and with winds of hurricane force
Siberian tundra
A. Hugentobler
Aug. 5, 2000
Wikipedia tundra
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Tundra#/media/
File:Tundra_in_Siberia.jpg
CC BY 2.0 de
troposphere
Earth's lowest atmospheric layer, contains of 75% of the mass of Earth's atmosphere, 99% of the total mass of water vapor and aerosols, where most weather phenomena occur
trough
an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure
tsunami
a series of waves caused by the displacement of a large body of water
tuff
a light, porous rock formed by consolidation of volcanic ash
tundra
a vast, flat, treeless Arctic region of Europe, Asia and North America in which the subsoil is permanently frozen
turbidity
the quality of being cloudy, opaque, or thick with suspended matter
turf acres
area of land watered with a permanent water supply and planted with plants other than those listed in ADWR's Low Water Use/Drought Tolerant Plant List
turf-related facility
a golf course, school, park, cemetery or other location that uses 5 or more acres of water
type 1 non-irrigation grandfathered right
a non-irrigation grandfathered right associated with retired irrigated land in an active management area, allows the rightholder to withdraw or receiveno more than 3 acre-feet of groundwater per acre per year for non-irrigation use, may not be transferred to another location
type 2 non-irrigation grandfathered right
a non-irrigation grandfathered right issued in an active management area based on groundwater non-irrigation uses from 1975 to 1979, equal the maximum amount of groundwater withdrawn and used for non-irrigation purposes in any one of the five years before June 12, 1980, may be transferred to new locations within the same active management area
typhoon
a tropical storm in the region of the northwestern Pacific ocean
U↑
ultrafiltration (UF)
pressure-driven barrier to suspended solids, bacteria, viruses, endotoxins and other pathogens to produce water with very high purity and low silt density
unconformable contact
occurs between two geological units in which the older, underlying rocks dip at an angle different from the younger, overlying strata, usually in which younger sediments rest upon the eroded surface of tilted or folded older rocks
unconformity
geologic gaps in rock formations characterized by missing rock layers where the upper layers are usually much younger than the lower layers
underflow
downstream flow of water through permeable deposits underlying a stream
underground storage
recharge of the groundwater anticipating eventual recovery from the aquifer, in Arizona involves establishing an account with ADWR for tracking short- or long-term storage credits
underground storage facility (USF)
a location to recharge water through shallow constructed infiltration basins, a river or stream bed used as infiltration medium or an injection well
uniformitarianism
the theory that changes in the earth's crust during geological history have resulted from the action of continuous and uniform processes
universal solvent
water is capable of dissolving more substances than any other liquid
unmet demand
occurs when groundwater can no longer be pumped from a well at the modeled rate due to aquifer depletion
unplanned water reuse
refers to situations in which a source of water is mostly previously used, treated, reclaimed municipal wastewater, occurs, for example, when a community gets its water supply from a river that receives water from upstream treated wastewater discharges
unreplenished groundwater withdrawal
groundwater that is legally withdrawn without requirement to artificially replace that water back into the aquifer and is not offset by incidental recharge
unsaturated zone
zone below the land surface where both water and air coexist
untreated water
water that has not been treated and cannot be used in potable water distribution systems
updraft
upward air movement
Uranium
Periodic Table of Videos
Aug. 25, 2008
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8vVZTvJNGk
Embedded video, no copy made
upland
an area of high or hilly land
uplifting
vertical elevation of the Earth's surface in response to natural causes
upper mantle
a thick layer of rock in Earth which begins just beneath the crust at about 10 km under the oceans and about 35 km under the continents and ends at the top of the lower mantle at 670 km
uranium
the chemical element of atomic number 92, a dense gray radioactive metal used as a fuel in nuclear reactors
urbanization
concentration of human populations into towns and cities
urease bacteria
found naturally in soil by secreting charged molecules that interact with calcium to form a kind of natural glue
urban flood
refers to flooding that occurs when rainfall, rather than a body of water, exceeds stormwater drain capacity, usually in densely populated areas
Urban heat islands
V. Masson, A. Lemonsu, J. Hidalgo, & J. Voogt
Jan. 1, 2020
Wikipedia urban heat island
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Urban_heat_island#/media/
File:Urban_heat_island_variation.jpg
CC BY 4.0
urban heat island (UHI)
an urban area or metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas due to human activities
use value of water
agricultural production, household and industrial uses, recreational enjoyment of reservoirs, streams, lakes, springs, and ecosystems support
V↑
vadose
relating to underground water above the water table
valley glacier
a glacier that flows for all or most of its length within the walls of a mountain valley, also called an alpine glacier or a mountain glacier
vapor
substance in a gaseous state
veiki moraine
forms irregular land surfaces of ponds and plateaus
verdure
lush green vegetation
vertebrate
an animal with a backbone
vesicular
refers to rock pitted with many cavities or small holes where gas was trapped during cooling
virus
an infectious microbe consisting of a DNA or RNA segment surrounded by a protein coat, must infect cells to make copies of itself
viscous
refers to the measure of resistance of a fluid to deformation under stress
viticulture
cultivation and harvesting of grapes
volatile organic compounds (VOC)
organic chemicals that evaporate at room temperature
volcanic bomb
a mass of molten rock larger than 64 millimeters in diameter, formed when a volcano ejects viscous fragments of lava during an eruption
volcanic island
an island created from volcanic eruptions
W↑
Water cycle
J. Evans & H. Perlman
Jun. 22, 2019
Wikipedia water cycle
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Water_cycle#/media/
File:Watercyclesummary.jpg
public domain
Walther's Law
sedimentary environments that were side-by-side will end up overlapping each other over time due to transgressions and regressions
waste activated sludge (WAS)
the excess quantity of microorganisms that must be removed from a process to keep the biological system in balance
waste doctrine
takes effect when a water user could utilize water more efficiently but fails to do so, causing the user to forfeit part of that water
wastewater
water discharged after an industrial or municipal use, excluding effluent
wastewater treatment return flow
water returned to a water body from a wastewater treatment plant
water
a transparent, tasteless, odorless, nearly colorless inorganic compound with the chemical formula H2O, the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known living organisms
water adequacy program
a regulatory program that requires developers to disclose the adequacy of a water supply to potential buyers
water banking
refers to storage of water underground in natural aquifers for future use
water conveyance efficiency (WCE)
the volume of water that reaches the farm relative to that diverted from the source
water cycle
describes where water is located and how it moves below and on Earth's surface and through the atmosphere
water duty
amount of water that is reasonable to apply to irrigated land to produce crops based on location, soil, consumptive use, evaporation and seepage
water equity
occurs when all communities have access to safe, clean, affordable drinking water and wastewater services, participate in community water-related decision-making processes related to water and share in the economic, social and environmental benefits of water systems
What metal is liquid at room temperature?
water harvesting
process of intercepting stormwater from a surface, such as a roof, parking area, or land surface, and putting it to beneficial use
water-intensive landscaped area
any area of land that is not planted with ADWR's Low Water Use/Drought Tolerant Plant list
waterpocket
refers to the potholes that dot sandstone and fill with rainwater
water quality
the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of water based on usage standards
water reclamation
also known as water recycling or water reuse, reclaims water from a variety of sources then treats and reuses it for agriculture and irrigation, potable water supplies, groundwater replenishment, industrial processes and environmental restoration
water recycling
also known as water reclamation or water reuse
water resources acquisition fees (WRAF)
fees paid by new developments for their proportionate share of the costs associated with making water supplies available
water reuse
also known as water reclamation or water recycling
water rights transfer
legally recognized and enforceable permanent or leased change of a water right to enhance ecosystem function
water self-sufficiency
using water produced only from local groundwater and other local sources and maintaining a resilient system to meet water demands
watershed
drainage basin area contributing water to a network of stream channels, a lake or other areas where water can collect
water stress
occurs when water demand exceeds available amount during a certain period or when poor quality restricts its use
water table
the level below which the ground is saturated with water
Unweathered rock on the left and
weathered rock on the right in
Ordovician limestone at State College Park
Jstuby
Aug. 8, 2009
Wikipedia weathering
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Weathering#/media/
File:Weathering_Limestone
_State_College_PA.jpg
public domain
water use efficiency (WUE)
the ratio of water used in plant metabolism to water lost by the plant through transpiration
water vapor
a greenhouse gas, water in a vaporous form especially when below boiling temperature and diffused
water year
12-month period beginning on October 1 and ending on September 30
weak force
responsible for particle decay that changes one particle into a different particle
weather
current state of the atmosphere at a place and time characterized by wind, humidity, temperature, cloud cover and precipitation
weathering
the breakdown of rocks at the Earth's surface, by the action of rainwater, extremes of temperature, and biological or chemical activity
Wegener-Bergeron-Findeisen process
a process of ice crystal growth that occurs in mixed phase clouds
well
a human-made hole from which water can be extracted, usually by pumping
Western Hemisphere
the half of Earth that lies west of the Prime Meridian at Greenwich, London, England and east of the 180th meridian
wetland
a distinct ecosystem that is wet all year
wet system
refers to pipework allowing rainwater to flow from a roof into a rainwater tank, after a downpour water is retained in the pipes
The Gulf of Corryvreckan whirlpool in
Scotland is the third-largest
whirlpool in the world
W. Baxler
May 4, 2011
Wikipedia whirlpool
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Whirlpool#/media/
File:The_Corryvreckan_Whirlpool_
-_geograph-2404815-by-Walter-Baxter.jpg
CC BY-SA 2.0
wet water
water legally and practically available for use
wheeled water
water transferred between two agencies, one uses its system infrastructure to treat and convey water that is owned by the receiving agency
wheel-move system
a lateral line that is designed for use on rectangular or square fields and low-growing crops
whirlpool
a body of rotating water produced by currents moving in different directions or currents encountering obstacles
white smoker
a hydrothermal vent that emits light material such as barium, calcium and silicon
wind chill index
index that combines the effect of the air temperature with wind speed
window
a structure formed by erosion or normal faulting on a thrust system where the hanging wall block has been transported by movement along a thrust
wind rose
a chart showing the relative frequency of wind directions at a place
withdrawal
water removed from the ground
X↑
xeriscaping
landscaping requiring little or no irrigation
Y↑
w
yield
mass per unit time per unit area
Z↑
Zinc
Periodic Table of Videos
Sep. 29, 2008
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99wPiMb-k0o
Embedded video, no copy made
zinc
a bluish-white, ductile metallic element when pure and heated, brittle at ordinary temperatures, an essential micronutrient for both plants and animals, used especially in alloys and as a protective coating in galvanizing iron and steel
zoogenic
produced by or originating in animals
zoonosis
a disease which can be transmitted to humans from animals
zoonotic
relating to diseases that can be transferred from animals
zooplankton
plankton consisting of small animals and the immature stages of larger animals
[*] Some of the Glossary section materials posted in this site originally posted at the Science → Glossary section of
Journalism 455/555 Environmental Journalism and John Wesley Powell, 1834-1902, http://denisemeeks.com/journalism/jour_555/powell/
by this author
Units
AB
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
↑
AF
acre-foot, volume of water covering an acre to a depth of one foot, equal to 43,560 cubic feet or 325,851 gallons
B↑
C↑
CCF
100 cubic feet or 748 gallons, typical measure of metering for water delivery volumes for residential and commercial customers
D↑
E↑
F↑
G↑
GPCD
gallons per capita per day
GW
gigawatt, a unit of electric power equal to one billion watts
GWh
gigawatt hour, a unit of energy representing one billion watt hours
H↑
I↑
J↑
K↑
L↑
M↑
MG
million gallons
MGD
million gallons per day
mld
megaliters per day
Mm3
million cubic meters
MW
megawatt, a unit of electric power equal to one million watts
N↑
O↑
P↑
PJ
petajoule, a unit of energy equal to one million billion joules
ppb
parts per billion
ppm
parts per million
ppt
parts per trillion
Q↑
R↑
S↑
T↑
TWh
terawatt hour, a unit of energy equal to one trillion watt hours
U↑
V↑
W↑
X↑
Y↑
Z↑
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Denise Meeks, dmeeks@arizona.edu