WATER H 2 O

Earth’s Water

Global Water Usage

Percent of Water Consumption

Surface Water Definition: Fresh water on the Earth’s land surface Definition: Fresh water on the Earth’s land surface –Is found in lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands Types of surface waters are: Types of surface waters are: –River systems Mississippi, Amazon, Nile Mississippi, Amazon, Nile –Water sheds Definition: area of land that is drained by a river Definition: area of land that is drained by a river –Example: Mississippi Watershed

Ground Water Definition: water stored beneath the Earth’s surface in sediment and rock formations Definition: water stored beneath the Earth’s surface in sediment and rock formations  water travels beneath the Earth’s surface through rocks and soil to make a level called the WATER TABLE  water travels beneath the Earth’s surface through rocks and soil to make a level called the WATER TABLE Types of ground water: Types of ground water: –Aqufiers –The Recharge Zone –Wells

Aquifer Definition: An underground formation that contains ground water Definition: An underground formation that contains ground water Most consist of materials such as rock, sand, and gravel Most consist of materials such as rock, sand, and gravel Spaces where water can accumulate Spaces where water can accumulate

Porosity and Permeability Porosity Porosity –Definition: the amount of space between the particles that make up a rock Permeability Permeability –Definition: the ability of rock or soil to allow water to flow through it Examples: Gravel Examples: Gravel Impermeable: clay or granite Impermeable: clay or granite

___________________________ Definition: the area of the Earth’s surface where water percolates down into the aquifer Definition: the area of the Earth’s surface where water percolates down into the aquifer They are environmentally sensitive (much like myself) They are environmentally sensitive (much like myself) Can take a long time to refill aquifers Can take a long time to refill aquifers –Buildings and parking lots can act as impermeable layers

Wells Not just for wishing, but more for: Not just for wishing, but more for: Definition: A hole that is dug to reach ground water Definition: A hole that is dug to reach ground water

Water Pollution

Types of water pollution ________________________________ ________________________________ –Pollution discharged from a single source –Examples Septic Tanks Septic Tanks Landfills Landfills Water Discharged by Industry Water Discharged by Industry Underground Storage Tanks Underground Storage Tanks Active Mines Active Mines Waste Water Treatment Plants Waste Water Treatment Plants

Acid Mine Drainage:

Biological

Types of Water Pollution - ________________________________ -Pollution that comes from many sources and can be difficult to identify -96% of all polluted water comes from non-point sources -Examples Water Runoff Water Runoff Pesticides Pesticides Herbicides Herbicides Fertilizer Fertilizer Farmland Farmland Construction Sites Construction Sites Water Crafts (like my old boat that stalled every time I went on the lake) Water Crafts (like my old boat that stalled every time I went on the lake)

Point and Nonpoint Sources NONPOINT SOURCES Urban streets Suburban development Wastewater treatment plant Rural homes Cropland Factory Animal feedlot POINT SOURCES

_________________________ - Eutrophication caused by humans - Steps - 1. Excess run-off - 2. Algal bloom - 3. Everyone is happy (increase oxygen) (increase oxygen) - 4. Algae dies and decompose - 5. Decomposers steal all the oxygen

Pollution of Lakes Eutrophication

Pollution of Streams  Oxygen sag curve  Factors influencing recovery

___________________________ - Pollution in which the temperature of the body of water (lakes, streams) increases - This can occur when power plants or industry discharge warm water in a lake/river - Can cause death to many fish - __________________________________ __________________________________ ______

Effects of Dissolved Oxygen

__________________________ - Pollutants that percolate down into the earth’s surface - Can come from any surface water pollution or any leaking underground storage tanks - Very difficult to decontaminate because of large areas of rock that make up the aquifer - Pollution clings to the materials

Groundwater Pollution: Causes  Low flow rates  Few bacteria  Cold temperatures Coal strip mine runoff Pumping well Waste lagoon Accidental spills Groundwater flow Confined aquifer Discharge Leakage from faulty casing Hazardous waste injection well Pesticides Gasoline station Buried gasoline and solvent tank Sewer Cesspool septic tank De-icing road salt Unconfined freshwater aquifer Confined freshwater aquifer Water pumping well Landfill  Low oxygen Fig p. 502

Groundwater Pollution Prevention  Monitor aquifers  Leak detection systems  Strictly regulating hazardous waste disposal  Store hazardous materials above ground  Find less hazardous substitutes

_______________________ - Ships can LEGALLY dump waste water and garbage overboard (i.e. cruise ships) -BUT 85% of ocean pollution comes from activities on land Oil SpillsOil Spills About 37 million gallons of oil from tankers are released into the ocean each year About 37 million gallons of oil from tankers are released into the ocean each year

Oil Spills  Sources: offshore wells, tankers, pipelines and storage tanks  Effects: death of organisms, loss of animal insulation and buoyancy, smothering  Significant economic impacts  Mechanical cleanup methods: skimmers and blotters  Chemical cleanup methods: coagulants and dispersing agents

Ocean Pollution Fig p. 504

Biomagnification

Case Study: The Great Lakes Fig p. 500

Case Study: Chesapeake Bay  Largest US estuary  Relatively shallow  Slow “flushing” action to Atlantic  Major problems with dissolved O 2 Fig p. 506

Drinking Water Quality  Safe Drinking Water Act  Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs)  Purification of urban drinking water  Bottled water  Protection from terrorism  Purification of rural drinking water

Wastewater Treatment

Water Treatment Water must be treated to remove elements and pathogens Water must be treated to remove elements and pathogens –Removed elements Mercury, arsenic, & lead Mercury, arsenic, & lead ________________________ ________________________ –Safe to drink ________________________ ________________________ –Organisms that can cause illness –Ex. Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasitic worms