Environmental Hydrology Flashcards

1
Q

What percentage of water on Earth is fresh and salt water?

A

Fresh; 2.5

Salt; 97.5

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2
Q

Where is most of Earth’s freshwater found?

A

Frozen in glaciers

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3
Q

Where is most Earth’s available freshwater found?

A

Ground water/ aquifer

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4
Q

Most of the US’s water is used for thermoelectric power which

What is a conservation solution

A

produces electricity by heating up a vat of water to produce steam to turn a turbine

an alternative solution without large vats of water

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5
Q

A third of our water is used for

A

irrigation

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6
Q

Irrigation is a wasteful use of water because

A solution would be

A

80% is lost to evaporation

trickle method, but it is more expensive

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7
Q

Which states have a shortage of water, so most of its water is used only for irrigation

A

Western

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8
Q

Dual-flush toilet

A

option for number 1 and number 2 to save water

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9
Q

High-efficiency washers

A

measures the amount of water used

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10
Q

Cone of Depression

A

When an aquifer is overused the water table sinks

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11
Q

Subsidence

A

Land around the aquifer sinks

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12
Q

Saltwater Intrusion

A

When salt water gets into an aquifer

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13
Q

The major source of water pollution is

A

agriculture because pesticides, fertilizers and animal waste

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14
Q

Estuary Degradation

A

Damaging estuaries as a result of human activities leads to bioaccumulation and eutrophication

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15
Q

Bioaccumulation

A

buildup of pollutants in the tissues of aquatic organisms

EX; mercury in fish

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16
Q

Eutrophication

A

When excessive levels of nutrients accumulate from detergents, fertilizers, or sewage

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17
Q

Which type of aquifer is most likely to become polluted

A

unconfined

18
Q

How does radon get into groundwater?

What effect does radon have on humans?

A

Water trickling down picks up these chemicals from rocks and leaks into aquifers

Stomach cancer or lung cancer if inhaled

19
Q

How does arsenic get in groundwater?

What effect does it have on humans?

A

Wells drilled to deep can bring it to the surface and into groundwater

Skin lesions especially on feet

20
Q

A bacterial infection that causes skin rashes, fever, constipation, or diarrhea

A

Typhoid

21
Q

Hepatitis A

A

Contracted from a virus that causes your liver to inflame

22
Q

Experiencing diarrhea and dehydration

A

Cholera

23
Q

Federal Water Pollution Control Act

A

Federally-funded assistance to set up water treatment plants around the country

24
Q

Act that ensures everyone in the US has access to clean drinking water

A

Safe Drinking Act

25
Q

Clean Water Act

A

Eliminates pollutants in bodies of freshwater and to restore water quality in those bodies

26
Q

Steps of Water Treatment in order

Silly Alligators Pee Constantly Sadly Doe

A
  1. Screening
  2. Aeration
  3. pH Correction
  4. Coagulation
  5. Sedimentation
  6. Disinfection
27
Q

Step 1 of Water Treatment; Screening

Silly Alligators Pee Constantly Sadly Doe

A

Removal of large floating objects through a large rotating screen

28
Q

Step 2 of Water Treatment; Aeration

Silly Alligators Pee Constantly Sadly Doe

A

Using pressure to force oxygen gas into the water to remove the bad smell and taste

29
Q

Step 3 of Water Treatment; pH Correction

Silly Alligators Pee Constantly Sadly Doe

A

Add chemicals so that water is neutral, helps with coagulation

30
Q

Step 4 of Water Treatment; Coagulation

Silly Alligators Pee Constantly Sadly Doe

A

Use alum to clump together solids into larger solids so they sink to the bottom of the tank

31
Q

Step 5 of Water Treatment; Sedimentation

Silly Alligators Pee Constantly Sadly Doe

A

Large solids settle on the bottom of the tank and then are removed and used for fertilizer

32
Q

Step 6 of Water Treatment; Disinfection

Silly Alligators Pee Constantly Sadly Doe

A

Water is treated with chlorine and UV light to kill any remaining bacteria

33
Q

Where are the most micro plastics located

Why are microplastics dangerous

A

Center of Gyre

Gets stuck in their bodies, they feel full and starve
Gets stuck in their bodies and causes harm to their development

34
Q

Burning fossil fuels produces the gas carbon dioxide which creates carbonic acid and results

A

in death to coral reefs and death to marine organisms

35
Q

How does sea ice keep polar waters cold?

A

Sea ice reflects light

36
Q

Consequences of melting sea ice

A

Sea levels rising, climate change, disrupts global conveyer belt, harm to polar organisms

37
Q

Artificial Stabilization

A

Preventing naturally caused erosion

38
Q

Seawalls

A

Built parallel to beach to prevent erosion on beach front properties

Effects; Worsens on beach erosion

39
Q

Groin

A

Walls built perpendicular to beach to trap sand

Effects; Deprives nearby beaches of sand

40
Q

Beach Nourishment

A

Replenishing beach with sediment

Effects; Expensive, temporary, harms marine habitat