Hydrology Unit 1 Freshwater hydro- means water ology- means the study of

The Earth is referred to as the “Blue Planet” The Earth is referred to as the “Blue Planet”. 70% of the Earth’s surface is water, and 30% is land ( 2/3rds water, 1/3rd land). Draw a pie graph showing the distribution of water to land on Earth.

What is your definition of fresh water?

Only 3% of all the water on earth is fresh water!!!

Where is the fresh water? 76% - ice 23% - groundwater 1% - on the surface Pretty amazing! Note: This is a fake picture! Used here to show percent of the iceberg above water.

Ice has a lower density than water. That is why it floats in water! Because of this property, only about 9% of an iceberg is above the water! These pictures are real! Notice the part of the iceberg below water!

The Water Cycle- water moves from bodies of water, land and living things to the atmosphere and back to Earth’s surface.

Water Cycle

The cycle is powered by the sun The cycle is powered by the sun. Evaporation-from a liquid to a gas condensation-from gas to a liquid precipitation-falls back to the Earth. What are the four types? Rain, sleet, snow, hail transpiration- water given off by plants.

surface water A river and all its tributaries makes up a river system. The area drained by an entire river system is called a watershed. Glaciers (Icebergs) contain most of the earth’s freshwater. surface water

What happens to the water when it hits the ground? The above ground water (runoff) becomes part of a watershed.

The final stop for the water in a watershed is when it reaches the ocean.

Water is also stored underground The top of the saturated zone is called the water table. Its location changes based on the amount of water going underground. Above the water table is the unsaturated zone. Here the pore spaces are filled mostly with air. The saturated zone is the level where the pores between the soil particles are filled with water. It is called an aquifer. What do you think happens to the water table during a drought? http://www.windows.ucar.edu

What is happening at each letter? Pores are the spaces between soil particles where air and/or water can be found. A B C

An aquifer is any place where water is stored underground.

We dig wells to get to the water stored in the aquifer We dig wells to get to the water stored in the aquifer. In fact, most of the bottled water we buy comes from there! The “confining” bed is impermeable so the water cannot go deeper into the ground.

Look how important underground water is to the water cycle!

An underground layer of rock that has spaces that hold water is called an aquifer. People obtain water from the aquifer by drilling wells to reach the water table. See the diagram on page 323. The water is able to be stored underground because rock can be permeable, which means it has empty spaces between rock particles where water can go. Those spaces are called pores. Bedrock is often impermeable. A place storing water is called saturated. If it is dry, it is called unsaturated

Wetlands

Wetlands refer to land that is covered part of the year by shallow water. All wetlands are protected. They are important habitats during the life cycle of many species. Two of the largest wetlands in the USA are the Everglades in Florida and the Okefenokee Swamp in GA. Wetlands

Freshwater Resources (Water Conservation) Water that is drinking quality must be protected. A water shortage occurs when there is too little water or too great a demand in an area (or both). Our water source in Barrow County comes from surface water- rivers, streams, reservoirs. We must practice water conservation to protect our water supply. What does it mean to conserve? To use or manage wisely, protect, preserve, or save What are some ways we can conserve water?

Freshwater pollution Water pollution refers to any addition of a substance that has a negative impact on the water supply. Sources of water pollution 1. Point source pollution- the pollution is coming from a specific and identifiable place or pipe. 2. Non-Point source pollution- problem is from a wide area and cannot be traced back to one place.

Point and Non point pollution

Can you answer these questions? How much of the Earth’s water is fresh water? What is an aquifer? Explain what a water table is. What does the word saturated mean? What is the difference between permeable and impermeable? What is a watershed? Define wetlands. Why are wetlands important? What is the difference between point and non point source pollution?

Can you answer these questions? How much of the Earth’s water is fresh water? What is an aquifer? Explain what a water table is. What does the word saturated mean? What is the difference between permeable and impermeable? What is a watershed? Define wetlands. Why are wetlands important? What is the difference between point and non point source pollution? Discuss the 3 types of wetlands and give examples of each. How does human activity threaten wetlands? Why are wetlands important to the Earth’s ecosystem? In your journal, write today’s date and answer the prompt in a constructed response style. Write in full sentences and address all aspects.