2.2 - WATER ON EARTH Flashcards
LARGEST BODIES ON EARTH
- Ocean the entire body of salt water that covers about 71% of Earth.
- Sea a subdivision of an ocean that is partially enclosed by land.
- Gulf a relatively small body of salt water that is surrounded by land on three sides and opens to a sea or ocean.
- The largest ocean
which encompasses a third of Earth’s surface. This ocean is significantly larger than Earth’s entire landmass.
Pacific Ocean
the next largest bodies of water which are subdivisions of oceans and partially enclosed by land.
- Seas
one of the largest bodies of water, which is a smaller arm of an ocean or sea that is also partially enclosed by land.
Gulf
. A distinctive characteristic of a gulf is that it usually has a _____ that opens outward to a larger body of water.
recessed shoreline
an indentation in the shoreline that is generally associated with an ocean, sea, or gulf.
- Bay
refers to the amount of dissolved salts that are present in water.
- Salinity
- The Six Most Abundant Ions of Seawater:
- Chloride (Cl−)
- Sodium (Na+)
- Sulfate (SO24-)
- Magnesium (Mg2+)
- Calcium (Ca2+)
- Potassium (K+)
Water that has salinity greater than 35‰
- Brine
Water that has salinity less than 35‰
- Brackish
the rise and fall of sea level caused by the gravitational effects of the Moon and the Sun.
- Tide
- What causes the tides?
o Tides are caused by the tide-generating force created by the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun as well as by the centrifugal force created by Earth’s and the Moon’s revolution around a common center of mass within the Sun-Earth-Moon system.
the raised level of water associated with high tide, on the side of the Earth closest to the Moon and on the opposite side of the Earth.
- Tidal bulge
maximum height to which water in the ocean rises relative to the land in response to the gravitational pull of the Moon.
- High Tide
minimum height to which water in the ocean falls relative to the land in response to the gravitational pull of the Moon.
- Low Tide
The height of water in the ocean has risen to its highest level relative to the land. at this point, the water floods into the foreshore. In most places, high tide occurs every 12 hours and 25 minutes.
High Tide
The water level begins to fall relative to the land—the tide is going out. At some time, water level will reach the average sea level for that location, but it keeps falling on its way to low tide.
Average Sea Level
When the water level reaches its lowest level. The foreshore is exposed. Low tide in most places occurs every 12 hours and 25 minutes. Water level begins to rise again after low ride, and the tide is coming in. Rising tide spreads water across the land.
Low Tide
occur when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned, the tide-raising force is maximized, resulting in the very highest tides.
- Spring Tides
occur When the Sun and Moon are at right angles to Earth, somewhat lower high tides result; these tides.
- Neap Tides
is vital for life, supporting ecosystems and human civilizations.
- Freshwater
also known as the hydrologic cycle - the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.
WATER CYCLES
WATER CYCLES
Evaporation
Deposition
Condensation
Precipitation
Transpiration
Infiltration
the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor.
- Evaporation
moisture going from the vapor state to the solid state.
- Deposition
moisture going from the vapor state to the solid state.
- Deposition
moisture going from the vapor state to the liquid state.
- Condensation
water released from clouds in the form of rain, freezing rain, sleet, snow, or hail.
- Precipitation
the release of water from plant leaves.
- Transpiration
the process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil.
- Infiltration
any body of water found on the Earth’s surface, including both the saltwater in the ocean and the freshwater in rivers, streams, and lakes.
- Surface water
body of standing water enclosed on all sides by land.
- Lakes
a large, natural stream of flowing water.
- River
a natural stream of water normally smaller than and often tributary to a river.
- Creek
water that has infiltrated the ground to fill the spaces between sediments and cracks in rock.
- Groundwater
an underground boundary between the soil surface and the area where groundwater saturates spaces between sediments and cracks in rock.
- The Water Table
also called the zone of aeration due to the presence of oxygen in the soil.
- The Unsaturated Zone
where water fills all spaces between sediments.
- The Saturated Zone
trap surface water to provide water supplies and electric power. Can also disrupt fisheries and river ecology.
- Dams
_______ occurs when harmful substances—often chemicals or microorganisms—contaminate a stream, river, lake, ocean, aquifer, or other body of water, degrading water quality and rendering it toxic to humans or the environment.
- Water pollution
CAUSES OF WATER POLLUTION
Water pollution arises from many sources, including industrial sites, sewage treatment plants, agricultural activities, mining, and processing of mineral deposits. Sulfate, nitrate, phosphate, chloride, sodium, and calcium ions are common contaminants.
EFFECTS OF WATER POLLUTION
- Destruction of biodiversity.
- Contamination of the food chain
- Lack of potable water
- Diseases
- Infant mortality
Water pollution depletes aquatic ecosystems and triggers unbridled proliferation of phytoplankton in lakes — eutrophication.
- Destruction of biodiversity.
the practice of using water efficiently to reduce unnecessary water usage.
- Water conservation
Water conservation
- Preventive action:
Properly dispose of chemical cleaners, oils, and non-biodegradable items to keep them from ending up down the drain.
- One of the best ways to conserve water:
Best ways to conserve water:
Recycle plastics, glass, metals, and paper.
Buy reusable products rather than throwaways, as it takes water to make most everything.
Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and washing the dishes.
Shave a minute or two off your shower time.
