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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 Is found in lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands Types of surface waters are: River systems Mississippi, Amazon, Nile Water sheds
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Surface Water • Definition: Fresh water on the Earth’s land surface • Is found in lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands • Types of surface waters are: • River systems • Mississippi, Amazon, Nile • Water sheds • 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 • water travels beneath the Earth’s surface through rocks and soil to make a level called the WATER TABLE • Types of ground water: • Aqufiers • The Recharge Zone • Wells
Aquifer • Definition: An underground formation that contains ground water • Most consist of materials such as rock, sand, and gravel • Spaces where water can accumulate
Porosity and Permeability • Porosity • Definition: the amount of space between the particles that make up a rock • Permeability • Definition: the ability of rock or soil to allow water to flow through it • Examples: Gravel • Impermeable: clay or granite
___________________________ • Definition: the area of the Earth’s surface where water percolates down into the aquifer • They are environmentally sensitive (much like myself) • 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: • Definition: A hole that is dug to reach ground water
Types of water pollution • ________________________________ • Pollution discharged from a single source • Examples • Septic Tanks • Landfills • Water Discharged by Industry • Underground Storage Tanks • Active Mines • Waste Water Treatment Plants
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 • Pesticides • Herbicides • Fertilizer • Farmland • Construction Sites • Water Crafts (like my old boat that stalled every time I went on the lake)
NONPOINT SOURCES Rural homes Cropland Urban streets Animal feedlot POINT SOURCES Suburban development Factory Wastewater treatment plant Point and Nonpoint Sources
_________________________ • Eutrophication caused by humans • Steps • 1. Excess run-off • 2. Algal bloom • 3. Everyone is happy (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 • __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________ • 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 • Low oxygen • Cold temperatures Hazardous waste injection well Pesticides Coal strip mine runoff De-icing road salt Buried gasoline and solvent tank Cesspool septic tank Pumping well Gasoline station Waste lagoon Water pumping well Sewer Landfill Leakage from faulty casing Accidental spills Discharge Unconfined freshwater aquifer Confined aquifer Confined freshwater aquifer Groundwater flow Fig. 22-9 p. 502
Groundwater Pollution Prevention • Monitor aquifers • Find less hazardous substitutes • Leak detection systems • Strictly regulating hazardous waste disposal • Store hazardous materials above ground
_______________________ • Ships can LEGALLY dump waste water and garbage overboard (i.e. cruise ships) • BUT 85% of ocean pollution comes from activities on land • Oil Spills • 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. 22-11 p. 504
Case Study: The Great Lakes Fig. 22-8 p. 500
Case Study: Chesapeake Bay • Largest US estuary • Relatively shallow • Slow “flushing” action to Atlantic • Major problems with dissolved O2 Fig. 22-13 p. 506
Drinking Water Quality • Purification of urban drinking water • Protection from terrorism • Purification of rural drinking water • Safe Drinking Water Act • Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) • Bottled water
Water Treatment • Water must be treated to remove elements and pathogens • Removed elements • Mercury, arsenic, & lead • ________________________ • Safe to drink • ________________________ • Organisms that can cause illness • Ex. Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasitic worms