Section 1: Water Resources

HYDROSPHERE Includes all of the water on or near the Earth’s surface Oceans, lakes, rivers, wetlands, polar icecaps, soil, rock layers beneath Earth’s surface, clouds, etc.

Natural Resources Classified as renewable or nonrenewable RENEWABLE: replaced relatively quickly by natural processes Ex: fresh water, air, soil, trees, crops, sun’s energy NONRENEWABLE: forms much slower than it is consumed (millions of years) Ex: minerals, fossil fuels

The Water Cycle Evaporation - salts and other impurities are left behind Condensation - water vapor cools and condenses into clouds Precipitation: Replenishes fresh water Transpiration: Leaves give off water from their pores Surface Runoff Infiltration: Water being absorbed by ground

Water Distribution Water is a limited, renewable resource Demo

Fresh Water Surface Water: On Earth’s land surface Groundwater: Underground

Surface Water Lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands Most cities depend on these for their water supplies Provide drinking water, water for crops, food like fish/shellfish, power for industry, and transportation Watersheds are drained by river systems

Watershed vs. River System

Groundwater Most fresh water, in sediments and rock formations Water table = level of saturation Includes Aquifers

Aquifers Above it is the water table and it can contain rock, sand, gravel, and spaces where water can accumulate “Underground Lake”

Porosity vs. Permeability Porosity = percent of a rock that has spaces (pores) Permeability = the ability of a rock or soil to allow water to flow through it Gravel is high, clay is low

Recharge Zone Permeable layers of soil and rock through which water percolates (flows) down into an aquifer Sensitive to pollution because it can easily enter the aquifer Aquifers can take thousands of years to “recharge”

Wells Reaches groundwater/aquifer Sometimes more reliable than surface water More filtered/purified water Well can dry up if the groundwater level falls below the bottom of the well