Transcript Water EOG Quick Review

1. Draw a pie chart that represents the distribution
of water on earth.
2. Why is stewardship of our fresh water vital?
Write as many reasons as possible
1.
97% salt
3% fresh
Majority of fresh water in ice caps
& glaciers
Majority of accessible fresh water
found in aquifers
2.
Limited supply of fresh water
Fresh water is not distributed equally on the planet or in the US
Water systems are connected, Contaminated water in one area will end up in another
Toxins in fresh water & salt water can accumulate in food & wild life
3. Describe how water moves in and out of an
aquifer.
4. How do human activities and climate
conditions affect an aquifer?
3. Water moves in through recharge zone into aquifer
Water out through wells
Gravity moves water through the aquifer toward oceans or
other major water source
4. Increasing the withdrawal of water from an aquifer by
homes and industry lowers the water table. Without
recharge (rain), water supply is depleted.
Extreme drought diminishes recharge and lowers water table
Pollution that enters recharge zones (animal waste/farms,
landfills, illegal dumping) makes its way to groundwater
Aquifers are large reservoirs of ground water. These can
be accessed by wells, some natural springs bring water
out of aquifers through the force of gravity. Water in an
aquifer is usually cleaner than surface water, b/c it filters
through rocks and sand (recharge area) on it’s way to the
aquifer. The water table is the top of the water in an
aquifer.
Describe how water moves across earth’s surface.
Sketching a watershed may help in your description.
A watershed is the large area of land the drains
waters into streams, that then feed into larger and
larger rivers, until draining into a major river.
Watersheds are bordered by divides…high areas of land
(mtns) that separate one watershed from another
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KCBRPEs4g4
Summary
 97% of earth’s water is in the oceans
 Of the remaining 3% fresh water…most is frozen
in glaciers and polar ice caps
 The largest % of fresh water is groundwater…
aquifers
 Fresh water moves across earth’s surface in
watersheds/riverbasins
Water Quality Indicators
The health of a water system is determined by the balance
between physical, chemical, and biological variables.
Physical variables include temperature, turbidity.
Chemical variables include dissolved oxygen and other gases,
pH, nitrates and phosphates. Both natural and man-made
forces are constantly changing these variables.
Biological variables are living organisms.
Describe:
a) How each of the following indicators affects water quality.
b) What may cause each to reach an unhealthy level?
Temperature
Turbidity
Dissolved Oxygen
pH
Nitrates and Phosphates
Water Quality Indicator Notes
Turbidity
Description:
Murkiness of water due to suspended particles
Levels:
Ideal = 1NTU
High = 5 NTU+
Turbidity
Causes:
Erosion from construction
urban run off
disturbance of stream beds from bottom feeders/livestock
increased algal growth
septic system leaks
decaying plant matter
flooding
Turbidity
Results:
Increase temperature
Decrease in DO
Clogs gills in some aquatic organisms, smothers aquatic
plants making photosynthesis difficult
Temperature
Definition:
Amount of kinetic energy
Levels:
Low: cannot be tolerated below 320F
High: only rough fish can tolerate temperatures above 970F
Temperature
Causes:
Loss of shade from removal of vegetation
Thermal Pollution: industry discharge
seasonal temp changes
Results:
Decreased levels of DO
increased bacterial levels
increased algae growth
4. Thermal pollution from human activities
Temperature increases from human activities
Photo: Dominion Virginia Power – North Anna Power Station
pH
Description:
How acidic is the water
Levels:
07 is acidic
7 is neutral
714 is basic
Surface Freshwater: 6.0 9.0
pH
Cause:
Acid rain
minerals in soils
Results:
Death of sensitive bio-indicators
Death or damage to plants
What is pH?
0-7 water is acidic
7 water is neutral
7-14 water is basic
What is the optimum freshwater pH?
Rainfall: 5 – 6.5
Most freshwater systems: 7 - 8
Most aquatic organisms: 6.5 – 8.2
Dissolved Oxygen
Description:
Oxygen gas dissolved in water
O2 enters water through photosynthesis and churning water
Levels:
4-5 ppm optimal to support life
Dissolved Oxygen
Cause:
Increased Temp
Decaying plant material
Effect:
Less diversity of bio-indicators
fish-kills
Nitrates & Phosphates
Description:
Excess nutrients
Level:
Nitrates above 1 ppm
Phosphates above .003 ppm
Nitrates & Phosphates
Cause:
Fertilizer run off
Animal waste
Leaking septic systems
Manure pits (hog farms, etc)
Clay soils (phosphates)
Result:
Eutrophication – overgrowth of algae (pond scum)
Low DO
1995 Lagoon break at Cape
Fear
Nitrates & Phosphates
What are bio-indicators and how are they used to
determine water quality?
Bio-Indicators
Description:
Macro-invertebrates living in water that are sensitive to
pollution
Healthy Level:
Large numbers and diversity
Bio-indicators are living organisms that require specific conditions in order to survive.
Their presence in waters, or lack of presence, is an indicator of the health of a water
system. They can be used as sentinels of a developing problem
What is eutrophication?
Describe the impact of human activity on
eutrophication.
Bio-Indicators
Cause:
Increased levels of pollution
Result:
Less diversity of organisms
Fewer organisms
EUTROPHICATION FLOW CHART
Excess Nutrients  Algal Bloom (pond scum)  darkness below surface 
photosynthesis stops  decomposers & other organisms use up oxygen 
DEATH
(gradual buildup of dying plant matter the pond becomes a meadow)
Identify each of the following as point source or nonpoint
source pollution:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. Runoff
Stewardship implies that we are caretakers of our water
for future generations.
The EPA established the Clean Water Act to ensure
oversight and testing of surface waters
Ocean regions are determined by temperature and light penetration
Intertidal
Neritic
Open ocean
Deep ocean
Ocean Region
Intertidal
Neritic
Open Ocean
Deep Ocean
Properties
Adaptations of species
that live there
1. Intertidal
 Shallowest area
 Between the low and
high tide lines
 Changing environment
Buckshot Barnacles
 2. Neritic Zone
 Always underwater
 On continental shelf
 Coral reef…diversity &
nutrients
Plankton
Phytoplankton =ocean
producers
Zooplankton eat
phytoplankton
Sponge with
brittle star
Coral
Oceanic Zones
Open Ocean
Surface – 200 meters
Sunlight, warm
Less plentiful nutrients
Deep Zone
- starts at
continental slope and
extends to 4000 m
- little or no
sunlight
- cold 4°C
- very high
pressure
Brittle Stars
Ogrefish
Deep Sea Angler
Coelacanth
 How does water move through the ocean?
 Water moves through the ocean, driven by
currents. Surface currents are caused by waves,
deep currents are caused by differences in density.
Nutrients move up from the ocean floor through
upwelling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APMzM-xYlOs
How do climate patterns affect upwelling?
How do climate patterns affect upwelling?
Change in climate pattern affects ocean surface
temperatures. These alter wind patterns which are
responsible of the location and strength of
upwelling.
Describe the importance of estuaries to the
environment.