Water Test Flashcards
Groundwater
The water that fills the pour spaces between sediment. Most of our freshwate
Hydrologic Cycle
A continuous water cycle, evaporates, cloud, rain, evaporates Four processes- 1- evaporation/transpiration 2-condensation 3-precipitation 4- gravitational flow
Surface Water
The water found on the surface (lakes, streams,rivers, etc.)
B.O.D
Biological Oxygen demand
Amount of dissolved oxygen need by aerobic decomposes to breakdown organic matter in a given volume of water in a specific time and temp.
Eutrophication
Physical, chemical, or biological changes that occurs as a result of Natural nutrients found in water
Ex: plant runoff
Potable
Water Suitable for drinking
Vadose Zone
A subsurface zone of soil containing water under different pressure than the atmosphere. Pores are filled with WATER and AIR
Aquifer
An underground formation/ well containing groundwater.
Runoff
Rainfall or snowmelt that has not had time to evaporate or move into groundwater. It flows on the surface
Coliform treatment
Found in fecies
Filter,heat, introduce bacteria that feeds on fecal matter
Primary treatment
Removal of large solids, grits, and oils from waste water
Domestic Water use
70% is used by farmers
25% industrial use
Home use- toilets, bathing, laundry, dishes, drinking
Perennial System
A stream that flows all year
Ephemeral stream
A stream that doesn’t flow all year. Seasonal flow
Thermal Pollution
Non chemical water pollution that occurs as a result of human activities. Changes the water temperature.
Ex- water is removed, heated (industry) and returned
Point source
A single identifiable source of pollution
Ex- smokestacks, drainage pipes
Secondary treatment
Introduced bacteria decomposes 90% of oxygen demanding organic waste
Indirect water reuse
A planed effort/ endeavor
Desalinization
The removal of salts from water so that the water could be used for agriculture, industry, or human consumption.
Salinization
As water evaporated, it is pulled from lower to upper parts of the soil carrying salts with it. As water evaporates, salt is left on the soil surface.
Watershed
An area in which all runoff and water flow drain into the same area (lake)
Non-point source
Pollution that comes from many different sources
Ex- farm and golf runoff
Septic system
Self contained water treatment system. Treats household water on site.
Confined aquifer
A groundwater storage area between two impermeable layers of rock. Impedes water flow
Special properties of water
Surface Tension- cohesion of water molecules
Excellent solvent- polar molecules
Capillary Action- pulls itself up narrow tubes or through soil particles
Ice Floats- life can live under (freeze from top down)
Water statistics
71% earths surface
96.5% in oceans
<1% available to drink
Person- 575 liters per day (150 gallons)
Hydrologic cycle
Evaporation
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Condensation (cloud)
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Precipitation (rain)
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Body of Water/ plants--------transpiration (evap through pores)
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EvaporationIs groundwater renewable resource
Groundwater takes an extended period of time to recharge. It is usually being depleted faster than it is replaced. however is is renewable over time.
Is desalinization a viable alternative
As of now, desalinization would cost far too much money. However, as the groundwater availability decreases, desalinization may be required to sustain human life.
Sustainable water use plan for the Front Range
- Use return and reuse water
- share water resources
- expand and enhance water storage
- limit water use for irrigation and other less important things
Functions of dams and canals
Dams- makes a resivor of water often used for drinking, restricts water flow (and water usage) downstream
–temporary–water evaporates much quicker when damned
Canals- a path for water and boats and animals to flow through,
What is channelization
Increases the flow of rivers by creating strait paths.. Reduces friction with particles. This eliminates or greatly reduces the chances of flooding.
Bad: water drains from land faster, deeper Chanel’s, reduced vegetation along steeam
Why do we urbanize on flood planes why is this bad.
Flood planes- flat building land
Bad- greater urbanization results in increases impervious area. Reduces absorption into ground. Greater runoff = flooding
What are the functions of wetlands? How have we misused them
Purpose- prevent flooding by retaining water. Filters and purifying water. Regulates the flow of water. Vegetation helps feed fish and other river animals. Erosion control
Misuses- draining wetlands, polluting wetland, damning wetlands
Case studies Colorado River Aral Sea 3 gorges dam California water plant
Colorado River- dammed and irrigated (flood control, agriculture watering, power, drinking water. 7 states use water from river
Aral Sea- lost 80% of its water in 45 years. Rivers leading into it were used for Cotten field irrigation. Lose of 60,000 fishing jobs, pesticide dust blown around
3 gorges dam- provides power, available water cost a lot of money, flooding cities and homes, drowning farmland and wetlands
CA water plant- use dams and pipes to transport water from north to south for people and agriculture
Domestic water pollution
Agricultural water pollution
Industrial water pollution
Domestic- humans waste, excessive water consumption
Agricultural- fertilize, fecal runoff, excess of nutrients in water
Industrial- heated water returned, chemicals introduced into water
What is B.O.D how it impacts water. Vs Do
Amount of dissolved oxygen need by aerobic decomposes to breakdown organic matter in a given volume of water in a specific time and temp.
DO- Amount of O2 a water source uses over time.
High BOD–> more pollution, mor microbes decomposing
Surface water pollution
Vs
Ground water pollution
Surface- bacteria, microorganisms, municipal sewage, industrial discharge, rainwater runoff, accidents, not much chemical (dilution).
Groundwater- pesticides, nitric material, chemicals, natural chemical
Four steps of water treatment
Primary- Removal of large solids, grits, and oils from waste water
Secondary- Introduced bacteria decomposes 90% of oxygen demanding organic waste
Advanced- specialized chemical and physical treatment to reduce the amount of specific pollutants
Chlorine- use of chlorine chemicals to eliminate harmful material
Three ways waste water can be reused. Indicated by purple pipes.
Agricultural water usage
Industrial water usage (concrete, dust control)
Landscape (public and private, parks)
Hurricane Floyd 1999 Exxon Valdez 1989 Eutrophication of Gulf of Mexico Hurricane Katrina Louisiana wetlands
S
Reduce volume of storm water runoff
Reduce hard surface size
Larger collection points
Problem from excessive ground paved
Reduces groundwater replenishing rates
Increase of Co2 in ocean results in decrease of pH
When co2 dissolves, an acid is produced
Why does it take large areas to support bald eagles
Large biomass requires lower tropic levels, less energy, less food
