Ch.2 Hydrosphere Flashcards
Properties of water
Excellent solvent
Transport of nutrients and wastes.
Mobilize pollutants
Properties of water
High Dielectric constant
Good ability to absorb charge.
Ionic substances have high solubility in water.
Properties of water
High surface tension
Capillary Effect. Droplet fromation and transport through biomembranes.
Properties of water
Transparent to visible and long wavelength UV light.
Colorless. Biologically productive in euphotic zone.
Properties of water
Density of water> ice
Vertical circulation is limited. Ice is formed on top of water. Aquatic lives can be maintained.
Properties of water
High heat of evaporation
Water does not dry up easily. Moderating effect.
Properties of water
High latent heat of fusion
Temperature stabilize at melting point of ice. Moderating effect.
Properties of water
High specific heat capacity
Temperature of organism and geographical regions are stabilizes. Good heat transport medium.
Properties of water
Wide temperature range as liquid
Stabilize Earth surface temperature. Provide medium of life.
Properties of water
Vast body
Sink for both polar and non-polar pollutants.
Properties of water
Inert with low Kw
Neutral medium with avalible H+ and OH- ions.
Properties of water
Conductivity
Water has ability to conduct electricity
Properties of water
Solids in water
Residues remain after evaporation. Dissolved solids and suspended solids.
Properties of water
Color
Affected by live particles and minerals.
Properties of water
pH of water
pH=7
pH=-log[H+]
Properties of water
Alkalinity
CO32-, HCO32-, OH-
Phenolphthalein alkalinity (pH 8.3)
Total Alkalinity aka Methyl orange (pH4.3)
useful terms
Thermocline
a thin distinct layer in a large body of fluid in which temperature changes more rapidly with depth.
useful terms
Pynocline
a layer where the density gradient is greatest within a body of water.
useful terms
Epilimnion
the top-most layer in a thermally stratified lake, occuring above the deeper hypolimnion.
useful terms
Hypolimnion
the lower layer of water in a thermallly stratifed lake, typically cooler than the water above and relatively stagnant.
useful terms
Aerobic
living in the presence of air
useful terms
Anaerobic
living wihout air
Stratification of natural water
- water at 4°C, max. density, bottom. Water>4°C, up, epilimnion
- Wind, horizontal movement, vertical circulation limited.
- Thermal stratification occur in summer
- Epilimmnion cools in autumn. Temp. of epilimnion= Temp. of hypolimnion
- Layers disappear, result in mixing and overturn.
Stratification of natural water
What happens when algae is present?
During summer, Temp. increases. Dissolved oxygen decreases. D.O. cannot replenish in the bottom layer.
hardness of water
Temporary hardness
Carbonate of calcium and magnesium.
hardness of water
Permanent hardness
Chlorides, sulfates of calcium and magnesium.
Henry’s Law
Henry’s Law
C=kP
significance of oxygen in water
If D.O. is available
O2+ aerobes form harmless products like nitrates, phosphates and sulphates with new cells and energy.
significance of oxygen in water
D.O. is unavailable
anaerobes forms toxic products like methane, nitrogen, phosphine and hydrogen phospide with new cells and energy.
