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the Water Cycle

the Water Cycle. this is where it all begins. Infiltration ( also called percolation ) only happens when the ground is permeable. Groundwater water stored underground. Zone of aeration Unsaturated zone Pore spaces in the material are filled mainly with air

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the Water Cycle

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  1. the Water Cycle this is where it all begins

  2. Infiltration (also called percolation)only happens when the ground is permeable

  3. Groundwaterwater stored underground Zone of aeration • Unsaturated zone • Pore spaces in the material are filled mainly with air Zone of saturation(also called an Aquifer) • Pore spaces in the material are filled with water • Water within the pores is groundwater Water table --the upper limit of the zone of saturation water table can move up when it rains or down during a drought

  4. Aquitard – an impermeable layer of material • Aquifer– a permeable layer of material

  5. Two Types of Aquifers

  6. Springs • Spring • groundwater that emerges naturally from the surface • when the water table intersects with the surface of Earth

  7. Porosity & Permeability pore spaces are air !!! • Porosity – amount of water that can be stored in the pore spaces • Permeability – ability of water to flow through connected pore spaces

  8. Wells • Well - hole drilled into the zone of saturation for extracting water • Artesian Well– well drilled into a confined aquifer; rises under its own pressure

  9. Cone of depression– lowering of the water table around a well due to large amounts of water being pumped out

  10. Groundwater Overuse (cont’d) • Ground subsidence (sinking) can occur if water is used faster than it is replenished • Creates depressions or sinkholes

  11. Sources of Groundwater Contamination • Sewage from septic tanks, farm wastes, inadequate or broken sewers • Fertilizers and pesticides from agriculture • Residential runoff • Highway salts • Chemical and industrial materials that leak from pipelines, storage tanks, landfills, or holding tanks • Saltwater in coastal areas • Minerals and nutrients from dissolved rock and other natural materials

  12. Types of Groundwater Pollution • Point Source Pollution – contaminants have an identifiable source • Smokestacks, car tailpipe • Nonpoint Source Pollution – contaminant source cannot be found • Several farmlands in the same area

  13. Contaminant Spreading • Flow downhill – contaminants leaked into the ground at the top of a hill will flow downhill • Rainwater runoff – runs through the contaminant, absorbs it, and transfers it to another area

  14. Groundwater Cleaning • Infiltration/Percolation - if water travels slowly through permeable sediment, the water is purified

  15. River Basins • the land surface that drains surface water into one large river which takes the water to the ocean

  16. River Basins (cont’d) • Watersheds (river basins) separated from each other by areas of higher elevation (divides). • Tributaries - small streams branching from larger streams and rivers

  17. North Carolina’s River Basins • There are 17 river basins in North Carolina • Four of these river basins are found only in NC • The Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, French Broad, Watauga, and New River Basins empty into the Mississippi River while all the others empty into the Atlantic Ocean.

  18. Catawba River Basin • In 2006, over 1.7 million people lived within the Catawba River Basin • Includes 15.6% of North Carolina’s population • Covers 6.24% of NC’s land • 8th largest river basin in NC

  19. Assignment • River Basin Posters • Include: • Size of basin • Miles of streams/rivers • What part of NC • Draw a plant or animal • Describe a water quality issue • Explain or propose a solution • A unique geological or water feature • Draw you and your partner doing one of the recreational activities

  20. Land that is covered by water all or part of the year. Includes swamps, marshes and bogs Wetlands

  21. Why Wetlands are Important • Provide flood protection during storms • Filter pollution & urban runoff • Habitat for many animals

  22. Types of Wetlands Swamp Mostly trees & bushes Marsh Tall grasses, some trees & bushes Carolina Bays Unique to East Coast Oval-shaped lakes that often fill with plants & sediment

  23. Headwater Swamp January 2002

  24. Swamp Forest January 2002

  25. Wet Pine Flat Hard Wood Flat January 2002

  26. Tidal Salt Marsh January 2002

  27. Disappearing Wetlands • Drained for development • New homes, roads and schools • Laws now prevent the destruction of wetlands • Developers must create new wetlands if they destroy old ones “In nature there are no rewards or punishments, only consequences”

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