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Fresh water

Definition

Fresh water refers to water that contains low levels of dissolved salts and is suitable for drinking, irrigation, and other human uses. It can be found in rivers, lakes, groundwater, and glaciers.

Analogy

Imagine fresh water as a clear glass of pure drinking water. Just like how we need clean water to quench our thirst and stay healthy, freshwater ecosystems provide essential resources for various organisms to survive.

Related terms

Aquifer: An underground layer of permeable rock or sediment that holds and transmits groundwater.

Watershed: The area of land where all the water drains into a common body of water such as a river or lake.

Desalination: The process of removing salt and other impurities from seawater to make it suitable for human consumption or irrigation.

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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.