Lesson 1.1 pg. 1-6

The Blue Planet Nearly ¾ of the Earth’s surface is covered with water – 97% of the water on Earth is salt water – Remaining 3% is freshwater Water can exist in three forms – Solid (Ice) – Gas (Water Vapor) – Liquid

The Water Cycle The three forms of water move through the environment via the water cycle There are several major processes of the water cycle – Evaporation- changes water from a liquid to a gas – Condensation- when water vapor cools to return to a liquid – Precipitation- When liquids or solids fall from the clouds – Transpiration- when plants release water vapor from their leaves into the air

The Water Cycle

Groundwater Runoff is precipitation that runs off the ground Groundwater is water stored beneath the Earth’s surface – 22% of Earth’s freshwater is groundwater – Used for drinking water, daily household, agricultural, and industrial needs – Accessed through wells

Groundwater Natural Contaminants Groundwater is closely monitored for contaminants – Contaminants come from natural resources Occurs when groundwater dissolves certain minerals – Example: Hard water results from high concentrations of calcium – Contaminants give water a disagreeable color, taste, and smell

Groundwater Affected by Humans Humans can contaminate groundwater – Not properly installed septic tanks – Pesticides and fertilizers from farms – Landfills – Chemical spills – Salt used on roads during icy conditions *The quality of PA’s groundwater = GOOD!*

Surface Water Lakes and ponds hold ½ the liquid fresh water on the Earth’s surface - Rivers hold about 1% - Remaining fresh water is trapped in the Earth’s soil

Bodies of Water Rivers Creeks and Streams merge to form rivers Creeks & Streams Rills form larger bodies of water called Creeks and Streams Rills Are tiny channels where river formation begins

Stream Characteristics The place where any stream or river begins is called the source The place where a stream or river ends by flowing into another body of water is called the mouth – Laminar flow occurs when water moves in a straight path – Turbulent flow occurs when water movies in tiny circular paths

Stream Characteristics: Velocity Velocity is the distance water flows during some period of time – Determines if flow will be laminar or turbulent – Quick flow = turbulent Slow flow = laminar Velocity determines the kind and amount of sediment that the water can carry

Stream Characteristics: Sediment Load There are three types of sediment load – 1. Dissolved load- dissolves some of the minerals that make up the Earth’s surface – 2. Suspended load- is sediment such as silt and clay that is in suspension – 3. Bed load- sediment carried along the bottom of the channel such as sand, gravel, pebbles, and boulders

Stream Characteristics: River Deposits Rivers deposit sediment when velocity decreases – Deposits called bars form when a river slows down – Deposits can also form from overflow or flood A flood plain is the part of the river valley that is covered during a flood

Major Drainage Patterns Drainage Patterns of rivers and their tributaries, or feeder streams, depend largely on topography (physical characteristics of land0 There are four types of drainage patterns – 1. Dendritic Drainage – 2. Radial Drainage – 3. Rectangular Drainage – 4. Trellis Drainage

Dendritic Drainage Pattern This type of drainage resembles mature trees – The main river or stream is similar to a tree’s trunk – The tributaries form the tree branches Dendritic Drainage forms where bedrock is uniform and massive – Ex. Plains region

Radial Drainage Patterns Forms when streams flow from a high central area – Plateau or volcanic mountain Resembles spokes of a bicycle tire

Rectangular Drainage Pattern Form when bodies of rock are broken by a series of faults and fractures Bends in rectangular drainage form right angles

Trellis Drainage Patterns A type of rectangular pattern in which tributary streams are nearly parallel to each other Form when sections of softer, nonresistant rock alternate within sections of harder, resistant rock

Complete the Lesson Review Pg: 6 #’s 1-9