Which Way to the Sea?

Freshwater Freshwater accounts for only 3% of Earth’s total water.

Ponds vs. Lakes Lakes and ponds are freshwater systems that store water in depressions on the Earth’s surface. Lakes tend to be larger and deeper. Lakes, if large enough, such as U.S. Great Lakes, can affect local climates.

Ponds Often little temperature difference throughout the water Sunlight will often reach the bottom Support a wide variety of plant life May be completely recycled with the seasons

Wetlands Areas where the ground is saturated and water is apparent. Can be characterized as marshes, swamps or bogs Important habitats for a wide range of species Can be found in coastal areas near estuaries and alongside rivers and streams in floodplains (areas water regularly flows over the river or stream)

Rivers & Streams Flowing bodies of water that originate at the headwaters

Springs Florida has over 200 springs providing freshwater to the surface. Aquifers store groundwater that collects when rain falls and seeps down through layers of soil until it reaches rock. Springs form when an aquifer becomes saturated and cannot hold more water. Aquifers are important renewable freshwater resources.

Minerals and sediments in water As water flows it erodes minerals and sediments; known as “universal solvent” Limestone throughout Florida is easily dissolved and underground caves and channels for underground rivers can form. Minerals and salts get washed downstream and eventually get to the ocean. Water can pick up and transport and deposit sediments

Delta All the tiny minerals, salts, bits of sediment, sand, clay, silt and rocks travel in the water and are deposited in a fan shaped pattern when the river slows down upon entering the ocean

Water Sampling Scientists study the health of the environment by sampling bodies of water. Results can tell scientists if the environment will support living organisms or if it is unhealthy. Quality of the ocean is directly related to the quality of freshwater bodies that drain into it.

Chemical Parameters Nitrogen & phosphorus all organisms need nitrogen and phosphorus to build proteins and DNA Too much can cause serious problems Excess nutrients can cause algae to grow out of control  eutrophication Algae bloom algae die off decomposers break down algae and use oxygen fish and other organisms die off from lack of oxygen

Possible sources of N & P Wastewater treatment plants Runoff water from fertilized lawns and croplands Leaking septic systems Runoff from animal manure storage areas Runoff from industrial areas

pH A measure of how acidic or basic a substance is pH greater than 7.0 is alkaline or basic (ocean is slightly basic) pH less than 7.0 is acidic Most organisms require a range of 6.5-8.0

Dissolved oxygen A measure of how much oxygen is in the water Running water because of its churning dissolves more oxygen than still water In the ocean, wave action adds oxygen to water Decreases as a result of human activity such as wastewater from sewage treatment plants and failing septic systems An increase in decomposition of materials in the water uses up dissolved oxygen

Physical & Biological Parameters Vegetation along the banks of a freshwater body  riparian vegetation Leaves, twigs and branches fall into the water and provide food for aquatic species Provide shade and lower temps Plant roots stabilize the banks and prevents erosion

Temperature Measure of the average kinetic energy of molecules in the water All organisms require a certain temperature range to survive Warm water carries less dissolved oxygen than colder waters

Manmade factors that affect temperature Dams Removing plants along the edge of a stream or lake Adding heated wastewater from industries Inflow from urban storm drains

Turbidity A measurement of how cloudy or clear the water is; how easily light can be transmitted through it As sediments and other suspended solids increase, the amount of light that can pass through decreases The cloudier the water, the greater the turbidity

turbidity High turbidity means less photosynthesis occurring Measured with a Secchi disk Smaller volumes of water can use a turbidity tube