Lesson 2: Water, Sustainability and Climate Change Flashcards
A continuous process by which water is transported from the oceans to the atmosphere to the land and back to the sea.
HYDROLOGIC CYCLE
Earth’s Supply
SALINE WATER IN OCEANS (97.2%)
ICE CAPS AND GLACIERS (2.14%)
GROUNDWATER (0.61%)
SURFACE WATER (0.009%)
SOIL MOISTURE (0.005%)
ATMOSPHERE (0.001%)
Surface Water
RIVERS
STREAMS
CREEKS
LAKES
WETLANDS
RESERVOIRS
Main uses of surface water.
DRINKING WATER
IRRIGATION
THERMOELECTRIC POWER (FOR COOLING)
Surface water usage in Canada
75% - CANADA
90% - BC
Impacts of human to surface water.
AGRICULTURE (IRRIGATION, CHEMICALS)
URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
DRAINAGE OF THE LAND SURFACE
MODIFICATIONS TO RIVER VALLEYS (CONSTRUCTION OF LEVEES, CONSTRUCTION OF RESERVOIRS, REMOVAL OF NATURAL VEGETATION)
MODIFICATION TO THE ATMOSPHERE (ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITION, GLOBAL WARMING)
Surface water - Point source
CONTAMINANTS DISCHARGE THROUGH AN AREA THAT IS SMALL RELATIVE TO THE AREA OF THE RECEIVING WATER
SEWAGE-TREATMENT PLANTS
LEAKAGE FROM GASOLINE TANKS
SEEPAGE FROM LAND FILLS
Surface Water - Non-Point Source
CONTAMINANTS ENTER THE ENVIRONMENT ACROSS AREAS THAT ARE LARGE COMPARED TO POINT SOURCES OR CONSIST OF MULTIPLE, CLOSELY SPACE POINT SOURCES
DEPOSITION FROM THE ATMOSPHERE (PRECIPITATION OR DRY FALLOUT)
AGRICULTURAL FIELDS
URBAN AREAS
Concentrations of impurities increase because of mineral pickup from surface runoff; silt and debris are carried by surface water, often resulting in muddy or turbid stream.
SURFACE WATER - FAST FLOWING
In areas of slow moving or stagnant water plants and algae grow, changing the aesthetic characteristic considerable.
SURFACE WATER - SLOW MOVING
Surface water - Dams & Impoundments
EFFECTS OF IMPOUNDMENTS INCLUDE A SERIES OF CHANGES IN THE PHYSICAL CONDITIONS DOWNSTREAM OF THE DAM, ESPECIALLY MODIFICATION OF FLOW AND TEMPERATURE REGIMES AND USUALLY GREATER WATER CLARITY
WATER QUALITY CHANGES MAY BE SLIGHT OR CONSIDERABLE, DEPENDING ON WATER RESIDENCE TIME IN THE RESERVOIR AND WHETHER SURFACE OR DEEP WATER IS RELEASED.
MODIFICATION OF PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CONDITIONS RESULT IN CHANGES IN THE PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE OF THE RIVER
Surface water - Wastewater
SURFACE WATERS ARE USED FOR THE DISPOSAL OF THE WORLD’S LIQUID WASTES THROUGH THE RESIDUES DEPOSITED IN SINKS ( OCEANS, INLAND SINKS (GREAT SALT LAKE, DEAD SEA)
Measures the total amount of oxygen required to break down organic matter via chemical oxidation.
CHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (COD)
Represents the amount of oxygen that microorganisms require to decompose organic matter under aerobic conditions.
BIOLOGICAL / BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (BOD)
Surface Water - Transformation of Land
DRAINING OF FLOOD PLAINS
INTENSIFICATION OF AGRICULTURE
ROAD BUILDING
TIMBER HARVEST
SPREAD OF HUMAN SETTLEMENT
Diverse group of chemicals introduced through disposal, washing, excretion, etc.
Steroids, non-prescription drugs, antibiotics, prescription medication, detergents, fire retardants, natural and synthetic hormones.
PHARMACEUTICALS AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS (PPCPs)
Sources of PPCP pollution
HUMAN ACTIVITY
RESIDUES FROM PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING
RESIDUES FROM HOSPITALS
ILLICIT DRUGS
VETERINARY DRUG USE, ESPECIALLY ANTIBIOTICS AND STEROIDS
AGRIBUSINESS
Health impacts of PPCP being released into the environment.
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
ENDOCRINE DISRUPTERS (ESTROGEN LEVELS)
ECOLOGICAL DAMAGE (AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS)
When is sheen is not a concern?
IF THE SHEEN REMAINS BROKEN UP THEN IT IS A PRODUCT OF IRON-OXIDIZING BACTERIA
Saturated rock or sediment through which water can move easily.
AQUIFER ( SANDSTONE; SAND AND GRAVEL)