Physical properties and structure of water

Question 1

What is the processes in the water cycle?

Answer 1

Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, run-off, transpiration

Question 2

What is the run-off?

Answer 2

~Run-off occurs when water does not soak into the ground but flows across land instead
~This water is called surface water, it collects in creeks which flow into larger rivers

Question 3

What is transpiration?

Answer 3

~Transpiration occurs when plants release water vapour from tiny pores [stomata] in their leaves.
~This allows water vapour to get back into the air.

Question 4

What is the distribution of water on Earth, in Australia?

Answer 4

~Water covers about 70% of the Earth’s surface
~Only 2.5% of the water on Earth is drinkable and most of this water is not accessible as it is locked in icecaps, glaciers or the soil

Question 5

What is potable water and its sources in Australia and Victoria?

Answer 5

~Potable water simply means water that is safe to drink.
~Most Australian cities get their water supply from reservoirs built on rivers in protected areas – protected catchments.
~Drinking water may also be obtained from groundwater, which is often referred to as bore water in Australia

Question 6

What is the Victorian desalination plant?

Answer 6

~Desalination involves the removal of dissolved salts (3.5%) from seawater to obtain fresh water
~Osmosis is the natural tendency of water to move from a region of low salt concentration to one of higher salt concentration

Question 7

The quality of water

Answer 7

~A chemical contaminant in water is a substance that is capable of causing harm to humans or the environment and is present at a higher than the expected level

Question 8

What is water sampling and sampling procedures?

Answer 8

~Water sampling is used to monitor physical, chemical and biological indicators such as:
~Temperature; turbidity; dissolved oxygen; pH; conductivity; nutrients (nitrates and phosphates); and bacteria (E. coli)