Movement of Water on Earth Water cycle - the continuous movement of water between the atmosphere, land, and oceans Water covers more than 2/3 of Earth ’ s surface Water covers more than 2/3 of Earth ’ s surface Earth ’ s water is constantly changing from one form to another. Earth ’ s water is constantly changing from one form to another.

Forms of water In the atmosphere, water occurs as an invisible gas called water vapor. Liquid water also exists in the atmosphere as small particles in clouds and fog. In the atmosphere, water occurs as an invisible gas called water vapor. Liquid water also exists in the atmosphere as small particles in clouds and fog. Condensation - the change of state from a gas to a liquid When water vapor rises in the atmosphere, it expands and cools. When water vapor rises in the atmosphere, it expands and cools. As the vapor becomes cooler; some of it condenses, or changes into tiny liquid water droplets, and forms clouds. As the vapor becomes cooler; some of it condenses, or changes into tiny liquid water droplets, and forms clouds.

Forms of Water, continued Precipitation - any form of water that falls to Earth ’ s surface from the clouds; includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail About 75% of all precipitation falls on Earth ’ s oceans. Oceans play a key role in helping to maintain overall water quality. The remaining precipitation falls on land and becomes runoff or groundwater. Eventually, all of this water returns to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration, condenses, and falls back to Earth ’ s surface to begin the cycle again.

Forms of Water, continued Evapotranspiration - the total loss of water from an area, which equals the sum of the water lost by evaporation from the soil and other surfaces and the water lost by transpiration from organisms About 86% of this water evaporates from the ocean. About 86% of this water evaporates from the ocean. Water vapor also enters the air by transpiration, the process by which plants and animals release water vapor into the atmosphere. Water vapor also enters the air by transpiration, the process by which plants and animals release water vapor into the atmosphere.

Water Budget In Earth ’ s water budget, precipitation is the income. Evapotranspiration and runoff are the expenses. In Earth ’ s water budget, precipitation is the income. Evapotranspiration and runoff are the expenses. The water budget of Earth as a whole is balanced because the amount of precipitation is equal to the amount of evapotranspiration and runoff. The water budget of Earth as a whole is balanced because the amount of precipitation is equal to the amount of evapotranspiration and runoff. However, the water budget of a particular area, called the local water budget, is usually not balanced. However, the water budget of a particular area, called the local water budget, is usually not balanced.

Water Budget, continued Water Use On average, each person in the United States uses about 95,000 L (20,890.5 gal) of water each year. On average, each person in the United States uses about 95,000 L (20,890.5 gal) of water each year. As the population of the United States increases, so does the demand for water. As the population of the United States increases, so does the demand for water. About 90% of the water used by cities and industry is returned to rivers or to the oceans as wastewater. About 90% of the water used by cities and industry is returned to rivers or to the oceans as wastewater. Some of this wastewater contains harmful materials, such as toxic chemicals and metals. Some of this wastewater contains harmful materials, such as toxic chemicals and metals.

Water Budget, continued Can we make more fresh water? Desalination - a process of removing salt from ocean water but…it is expensive and is impractical for supplying water to large populations. but…it is expensive and is impractical for supplying water to large populations.

Water Budget, continued Conservation of Water Scientists have identified two ways to ensure that enough fresh water is available today and in the future. Scientists have identified two ways to ensure that enough fresh water is available today and in the future. conservation or the wise use of water resources. conservation or the wise use of water resources. protect the water supply is to find alternative methods of obtaining fresh water. protect the water supply is to find alternative methods of obtaining fresh water.

What are groundwater and aquifers? Groundwater the water that is beneath Earth ’ s surface the water that is beneath Earth ’ s surface groundwater is an important source of freshwater in the United States. groundwater is an important source of freshwater in the United States.Aquifer a body of rock or sediment that stores groundwater and allows the flow of groundwater a body of rock or sediment that stores groundwater and allows the flow of groundwater the ease with which water flows through an aquifer is affected by many factors, including porosity and permeability. the ease with which water flows through an aquifer is affected by many factors, including porosity and permeability.

Properties of Aquifers Porosity - the percentage of the total volume of a rock or sediment that consists of open spaces. Permeability - the ability of a rock or sediment to let fluids pass through its open spaces, or pores. For a rock to be permeable, the open spaces must be connected.

How does water enter an aquifer? Gravity pulls water down through soil and rock layers until the water reaches impermeable rock. Gravity pulls water down through soil and rock layers until the water reaches impermeable rock. Water then begins to fill, or saturate, the spaces in the rock above the impermeable layer. Water then begins to fill, or saturate, the spaces in the rock above the impermeable layer. As more water soaks into the ground, the water level rises underground and forms two distinct zones of groundwater. As more water soaks into the ground, the water level rises underground and forms two distinct zones of groundwater.

Zones of Aquifers Zone of Saturation - the layer of an aquifer in which the pore space is completely filled with water The term saturated means “ filled to capacity. ” The term saturated means “ filled to capacity. ” The zone of saturation is the lower of the two zones of groundwater. The zone of saturation is the lower of the two zones of groundwater. Water table - the upper surface of underground water; the upper boundary of the zone of saturation Notice where the zone of saturation and water table are on the diagram below.

Zones of Aquifers, continued Zone of Aeration - the zone that lies between the water table and Earth ’ s surface Water is drawn up from the zone of saturation into the capillary fringe by capillary action. Capillary action is caused by the attraction of water molecules to other materials, such as soil. Water is drawn up from the zone of saturation into the capillary fringe by capillary action. Capillary action is caused by the attraction of water molecules to other materials, such as soil. Where is the zone of aeration relative to the zone of saturation on the diagram below?

Topography and the Water Table The depth of the water table below the ground surface depends on surface topography, the permeability of the aquifer, the amount of rainfall, and the rate at which humans use water. The depth of the water table below the ground surface depends on surface topography, the permeability of the aquifer, the amount of rainfall, and the rate at which humans use water. In a few areas a layer of impermeable rock lies above the main water table. Water collects on top of this upper layer and creates a second water table, which is called a perched water table. In a few areas a layer of impermeable rock lies above the main water table. Water collects on top of this upper layer and creates a second water table, which is called a perched water table. Can you locate the perched water table in the graphic below?

Conserving Groundwater Although groundwater is renewable, its supply is limited by its long renewal time. Groundwater collects and moves slowly, and the water taken from aquifers may not be replenished for hundreds or thousands of years. Although groundwater is renewable, its supply is limited by its long renewal time. Groundwater collects and moves slowly, and the water taken from aquifers may not be replenished for hundreds or thousands of years. Communities often regulate the use of groundwater to help conserve this valuable resource. Communities often regulate the use of groundwater to help conserve this valuable resource. Some communities recycle used water. This water is purified and may be used to replenish the groundwater supply. Some communities recycle used water. This water is purified and may be used to replenish the groundwater supply.

How does water reach the Earth ’ s surface? Groundwater reaches Earth ’ s surface through wells and springs. Groundwater reaches Earth ’ s surface through wells and springs. A well is a hole that is dug to below the level of the water table and through which groundwater is brought to Earth ’ s surface. A well is a hole that is dug to below the level of the water table and through which groundwater is brought to Earth ’ s surface. A spring is a natural flow of groundwater to Earth ’ s surface in places where the ground surface dips below the water table. A spring is a natural flow of groundwater to Earth ’ s surface in places where the ground surface dips below the water table.

Ordinary wells work only if they penetrate highly permeable sediment or rock below the water table. Ordinary wells work only if they penetrate highly permeable sediment or rock below the water table. If the rock is not permeable enough, groundwater cannot flow into the well quickly enough to replace the water that is withdrawn. If the rock is not permeable enough, groundwater cannot flow into the well quickly enough to replace the water that is withdrawn. Ordinary springs are usually found in rugged terrain where the ground surface drops below the water table. Ordinary springs are usually found in rugged terrain where the ground surface drops below the water table. These springs may not flow continuously if the water table in the area has an irregular depth as a result of variable rainfall. These springs may not flow continuously if the water table in the area has an irregular depth as a result of variable rainfall. Ordinary Wells and Springs

Artesian Wells and Springs Artesian formation - a sloping layer of permeable rock sandwiched between two layers of impermeable rock and exposed at the surface Because the water is under pressure, when a well or hole is drilled through the caprock, water quickly flows up through the well and may even spout from the surface. Because the water is under pressure, when a well or hole is drilled through the caprock, water quickly flows up through the well and may even spout from the surface. An artesian well is a well through which water flows freely without being pumped An artesian well is a well through which water flows freely without being pumped When cracks occur naturally in the caprock, water from the aquifer flows through the cracks. This flow forms artesian springs. When cracks occur naturally in the caprock, water from the aquifer flows through the cracks. This flow forms artesian springs.

Hot Springs Groundwater is heated when it passes through rock that has been heated by magma. Groundwater is heated when it passes through rock that has been heated by magma. Hot groundwater that is at least 37°C and that rises to the surface before cooling produces a hot spring. Hot groundwater that is at least 37°C and that rises to the surface before cooling produces a hot spring. When water in a hot spring cools, the water deposits minerals around the spring ’ s edges. When water in a hot spring cools, the water deposits minerals around the spring ’ s edges. The deposits form steplike terraces of calcite called travertine. The deposits form steplike terraces of calcite called travertine. In the picture to the right, note Growler and Morgan Hot Springs. The photo is of Morgan Hot Springs.

Geysers Hot springs that periodically erupt from surface pools or through small vents are called geysers. Hot springs that periodically erupt from surface pools or through small vents are called geysers. A geyser consists of a narrow vent that connects one or more underground chambers with the surface. A geyser consists of a narrow vent that connects one or more underground chambers with the surface. Release of the water near the top of the vent relieves the pressure on the superheated water farther down. Release of the water near the top of the vent relieves the pressure on the superheated water farther down. The eruption continues until most of the water and steam are emptied from the vent and chambers. The eruption continues until most of the water and steam are emptied from the vent and chambers. Click here to see a Geyser Animation read the descriptions as you go Click here to see a Geyser Animation read the descriptions as you go Click here to see a Geyser Animation Click here to see a Geyser Animation

What is happening to our water? The U.S. population is growing rapidly. Does this affect our water supply? Visit the following website: The U.S. population is growing rapidly. Does this affect our water supply? Visit the following website: Read the information under each topic listed below to determine how our water supply is affected. Use the learned information to answer questions on your Module 10 Study Guide Read the information under each topic listed below to determine how our water supply is affected. Use the learned information to answer questions on your Module 10 Study Guide Population growth Population growth Urban runoff Urban runoff Nitrogen Nitrogen Phosphorous Phosphorous Sewage overflows Sewage overflows Toxic metals Toxic metals

What is happening to our water in North Carolina? Now let ’ s specifically look at our state. Visit the following links. Answer the questions on your study guide while viewing these articles. Now let ’ s specifically look at our state. Visit the following links. Answer the questions on your study guide while viewing these articles. Protecting America's Waters Protecting America's Waters Protecting America's Waters Protecting America's Waters Save The Outer Banks Save The Outer Banks Save The Outer Banks Save The Outer Banks Don't Frack North Carolina Don't Frack North Carolina Don't Frack North Carolina Don't Frack North Carolina

Bibliography Pictures and information gathered from: Pictures and information gathered from: Allison, DeGaetano, Pasachoff, Holt Earth Science. 2008, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York