Water and Aquatic Systems Chapters 11 and 7

The Water Cycle Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation

Renewable Resource Water is a renewable resource because it is cycled between the Earth’s surface and the atmosphere.

The Oceans Important because almost all Earth’s water is in the oceans. Global water distribution. Salt water 97% Fresh water 3% Ice caps and glaciers 77% Ground 22% Other fresh 1%

Surface Water Fresh water on Earth’s surface. Lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, ground, ponds. Streams form rivers, rivers form river systems.

Watersheds Area of land drained by a river.

Ground Water Fresh water available for human consumption. Water stored beneath the Earth’s surface in sediment and rock formations.

Aquifers Underground formation containing ground water. Ogallala=10-40% more water out than can be replaced.

Recharge Zone The area of the Earth where water percolates down to refill an aquifer.

11.2- Water Use and Management

Water Shortages Shortage of clean, fresh water is one of the world’s most pressing environmental problems. More than 1 billion people lack access to a clean, reliable source.

Major Uses of Water Residential~ 10% in North America. Agricultural~ 48% Industrial~39%

Water Treatment Potable (safe to drink)- water treatment removes mercury, arsenic, and lead as well as pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasitic worms.

Industrial Use Highest % of industrial water usage occurs in N. America and Europe.

Water Management Projects can have various goals. Make dry area habitable. Creating a reservoir for recreation or drinking. Generating electric power.

Conservation Methods for home (table 2 page 282), agriculture (page 281) and industry (page 281). Conservation will ensure that there is enough water for all!! At a reasonable price!!!

11.3- Water Pollution

Water Pollution The introduction of chemical, physical, or biological agents into water that degrade water quality and adversely affect the organisms that depend on it.

Point-Source Pollution Pollution discharged from a single source. ie: Water runoff from city or suburban streets containing oil, gasoline, animal feces, and litter.

Non-point Source Comes from many different sources which are often difficult to identify. A river polluted from many land runoffs.

Principle Water Pollutants Pathogens Organic matter Organic chemicals Inorganic chemicals Heavy metals Physical agents

Waste Water Water that contains waste from home or industry. Water that goes down your drain.

Sewage Sludge The solid waste left after water has been treated. Expensive to dispose of. Must be disposed of properly.

Eutrophication Natural or artificial- excess nutrients in a body of water. Causes excess plants, depletion of O2, algal blooms, etc.

Eutrophication

Thermal Pollution Temperature of a body of water increases. When power plants use water in their cooling system and then discharge it in to lakes and rivers.

Biomagnification The amount of pollution stored at each level in a food chain increases at each successive level.

Aquatic Ecosystems Lesson 7.1

Fresh Water Lakes Rivers Ponds Streams Wetland- land that is periodically under water.

Marine Ecosystems Marshes (fresh or salt) Swamps (fresh or salt) Coral reefs (salt) Oceans (salt)

Water Organisms Factors that determine which organisms live in which areas of the water: Temperature, sunlight, oxygen, and nutrients.

Aquatic Ecosystems Three groups of organisms depending on their location and adaptations. Plankton, nekton, and benthos.

Plankton Organisms that float near the surface of the water. Phytoplankton- microscopic plant…provide most of the food for an aquatic system. Zooplankton- microscopic animals

Nekton Free swimming organisms. Fish, turtles, and whales

Benthos Bottom dwelling organisms. Mussels, worms, barnacles.

Lake Zones Littoral zone- upper part of lake where photosynthesis can occur.Aquatic life is diverse and abundant. Benthic Zone- lower part. Inhabited by decomposers, insect larvae, and clams.

Freshwater Wetlands Marsh-contain non woody plants such a cattails. Swamps- dominated by woody plants such as trees and shrubs.

Human Impact Humans once thought of wetlands as wastelands. Filled in, drained, and cleared for farms or residential/commercial use.

7.2- Marine Ecosystems

The Marine Ecosystem Located in coastal areas-Organisms adapt to changes in water level and salinity. Located in open ocean-Organisms adapt to temperature changes, and amount of sunlight and nutrients available.

Coastal Wetlands Provide habitat and nesting areas Absorb excess rain, prevent flooding Filter pollutants Provide recreational areas for swimming, boating, fishing, hunting.

Estuaries Fresh water from river meets salt water from ocean. Nutrient trap due to the way the waters mix. Home for many major ports.

Ports Estuaries are… Protected by harbors. Access spots to oceans. And connection to rivers. Of the 10 largest urban areas, 6 were built on Estuaries…NY, Tokyo, Shanghai, Buenos Aires, Rio De Janeiro, Bombay.

Threats to Estuaries Waste dumps In highly populated areas waste filled estuaries were used as building sites. California has plans to return some estuaries back to normal.

Salt Marshes Develop in estuaries and provide homes and protection for wildlife.

Mangrove Swamps Swamps located along coastlines that are dominated by mangrove trees. Protected from erosion.

Rocky vs. Sandy Rocky shorelines have more plant and animal species because they provide anchorage for seaweed and the animals that live on them.

Coral Reefs Limestone ridges built by tiny coral animals. Thousands of species of plants and animals live in the cracks and crevices in the reefs. Only shallow, clear, salt water.

Coral Reefs An estimated 27% of reefs are being destroyed by humans. Variances in their environment can destroy them…too hot, cold, too much fresh water, too muddy, polluted, or too high in nutrients.

Oceans Sunlight penetrates down to 100m. Home for the greater majority of wildlife. Open ocean is one of the least productive of all ecosystems.

Ocean Threats Runoff of fertilizers Sewage discharge Over fishing Certain fishing methods