Hydrology- Science of Water

Water Use For the next four minutes list how many times a day you use water either directly or indirectly

WATER Is one of our most precious RESOURCES

The water cycle the amount of water on and around this planet is fairly constant availability of water is not as constant

Dry Season

Rainy Season

Water Distribution 97% is in oceans 2% is freshwater 1% is frozen in glaciers and icecaps

The water cycle water is continuously moving from place to place the water cycle is called the hydrologic cycle

The water cycle powered by solar energy heats the water causing it to rise into the atmosphere called evaporation

The water cycle Fact: if the oceans were not recharged, their water level would decrease over 40 inches per year

The water cycle rainwater accounts for only 1% of the total water supply rain is vital in keeping the water balance on earth

Terminology Evaporation- vaporization of liquid through heat Transpiration- passage of water through a plant

Condensation-water vapor condenses into liquid Precipitation-water falling due to gravity

Run-off: the flow of water, from rain, snow melt, or other sources, over land Infiltration- Seeping into ground Groundwater-located beneath earths surface

WATER CYCLE WATER IN ATMOSPHERE PRECIPITATION EVAPORATION WATER /ICE

Three zones Surface Zone of aeration dry soil accepts water until saturated Zone of aeration empty spaces filled with air, extends from the deepest roots to just above the water table

Three zones Groundwater zone below zone of aeration water saturated rocks called aquifers can equal about 100 years of surface runoff volume

Aquifer

Industry uses more water than any other raw material only a small part of the water is actually consumed used as a medium for other processes

Industry Canning Cool ovens Boil the product Wash away wastes water is used to clean product and the containers Cool ovens Boil the product Wash away wastes

How Its Made

Industry may become part of the product most water is recycled or returned to the natural water cycle in a drainage ditch or stream

Industry paper is made in water industry draws about 40 billion gallons of water per day water supply - major factor in location of industry

Industry strong pollution control methods to recycle water rather than draw from an outside source

Hydroelectric plants major use of water US leads the world in hydroelectric power supplies only a small portion of our needs

Hydroelectric Plants concern is with damming of rivers fish runs are interrupted habitat is changed puts wildlife in danger

Fish and Wildlife the way water is handled affects the fish in the water and the wildlife around the water

Fish and Wildlife land wildlife, inland birds, waterfowl different species require different types of water

Fish and Wildlife some fish prosper in cold mountain streams some may prefer fast running rapids

Recreation boating, water skiing, fishing, sailing and swimming Swimming pools require a lot of water to keep them in compliance with health regulations.

Recreation Frozen water activities ice skating hockey snowboarding skiing

Domestic Uses cooking baths or showers carry away wastes Each American uses more water than any other person in the world

Domestic Uses In the US each person uses approximately 150 gallons of water per day Bath 3-40 gallons Shower 5 gallons per minute

Domestic Uses Wash clothes flush the toilet 30 gallons flush the toilet 3 gallons Water the lawn and garden, wash cars Fire protection

Use How wasteful can we be and still have enough clean water to survive?

Pollution The presence of a SUBSTANCE in water, air, or soil that makes them OFFENSIVE to humans.

Water Water that is suitable for DRINKING is referred to as POTABLE

Sources of Pollution Oil Products Soil Erosion Animal and Human Waste Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides

An increase in the amount of NUTRIENTS in an environment Eutrophication An increase in the amount of NUTRIENTS in an environment

Nutrients Nutrients in water are expressed in terms of PARTS PER MILLIONS (PPM)

Nitrates Nitrates are a common source of POLLUTION

Sources of Nitrates Animal Waste Human Waste Chemical fertilizers Dead and decaying organisms

Eutrophication One of the first INDICATIONS of eutrophication in water is the presence of ALGAE

Eutrophication Also known as POND SCUM

Sewage Treatment Plants Septic Tanks Waste Lagoons Waste Control Sewage Treatment Plants Septic Tanks Waste Lagoons

Sewage Treatment Plants Larger towns and cities Treat waste water increase D.O. Use Oxygenation, Chlorine, & UV Light

Settling tank and Drain Field Septic Tanks Used in rural areas Settling tank and Drain Field Will not work if area is densely populated

Waste Lagoons Used in dairies, feed lots, and some towns and cities Logan and Perry Animal waste is stored in a settling pond where it is decomposed by anaerobic bacteria

Occurs in both groundwater and in surface water Water Pollution Occurs in both groundwater and in surface water

Water stored in underground lakes called aquifers Ground water Water stored in underground lakes called aquifers

Water is absorbed by the soil as it flows into the aquifers Surface Water Water is absorbed by the soil as it flows into the aquifers

Non-Point Source Pollution Pollution that originates from many sources Ex. Excess fertilizer run off in residential areas

Point source pollution Pollution that results from a single source Example: Air pollution from Geneva steel

Erosion Our largest environmental problem Wasting away of soil by wind or water

Two main problems of erosion The loss of Topsoil The pollution of water by the erosion of soil

Soil Erosion Damage Loss of topsoil Pollution of rivers and streams Kills fish and plants Decreases dissolved oxygen Sedimentation- blocks available sunlight Zooplankton die 

Soil Conservation Service An agency organized to help prevent the loss of topsoil and to stop erosion caused by the washing away of soil.

Examples of soil conservation practices Windbreaks- trees Terracing- ridges prevent erosion Crop rotation- changing crops Contour plowing- following natural elevation No-till and minimum till planting

A piece of land that stays underwater for most of the year Wetlands A piece of land that stays underwater for most of the year

Wetlands provide several roles Habitat Filtering of water Water storage Flood prevention

EPA Regulations Restrict use Incentives to preserve wetlands Permit must be obtained before land can be disturbed