Unit 8 Water Resources

Essential Questions Can we meet the basic human and ecological needs for water, improve water quality, eliminate the overdraft of groundwater, and reduce the risks of political conflict over shared water? Can we develop a model to understand a watershed system in order to manage water resources?

This unit describes how the world's water supply is allocated between major reserves such as oceans, ice caps, and groundwater. It then looks more closely at how groundwater behaves and how scientists analyze this critical resource. After noting which parts of the world are currently straining their available water supplies, or will do so in the next several decades, we examine the problems posed by salinization, pollution, and water-related diseases.

Key Concepts Aquifer Permeable Artesian Point source Capillary force Pollution Catchment area Porous Discharge Recharge Freshwater Salinization Groundwater Sorption Hydraulic Head Total Maximum Daily Load Hydrological cycle Valdose zone Hypoxia Watershed Non-point source Wetlands

Learning Targets: I can distinguish between freshwater and saltwater by elaborating upon 3 different characteristics. I can distinguish between surface and groundwater by comparing facts about each. I can discuss 3 environmental issues related to surface water and ground water. I can explain 5 ways in which people can conserve water.

Entry Slip What if you got up this morning and went to turn on the water and ….. nothing? You turned on the TV and heard that overnight your water source had dried up! What immediate implications would this have on your life? Click on link for Freshwater: Why Care About Water? freshwater-whycare/

Water resources Earth's water resources, including rivers, lakes, oceans, and underground aquifers, are under stress in many regions. Humans need water for drinking, sanitation, agriculture, and industry; and contaminated water can spread illnesses and disease vectors, so clean water is both an environmental and a public health issue. In this video, learn how water is distributed around the globe; how it cycles among the oceans, atmosphere, and land; and how human activities are affecting our finite supply of usable water. Earth's water resources, including rivers, lakes, oceans, and underground aquifers, are under stress in many regions. Humans need water for drinking, sanitation, agriculture, and industry; and contaminated water can spread illnesses and disease vectors, so clean water is both an environmental and a public health issue. In this video, learn how water is distributed around the globe; how it cycles among the oceans, atmosphere, and land; and how human activities are affecting our finite supply of usable water. 28:25

 Section 1 Introduction 1. Water resources are under major stress around the world. What supplies fresh water for irrigation, drinking, and sanitation? 2. What supplies fresh water for irrigation, drinking, and sanitation? Rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers Rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers 3. What provides habitat for a large share of the planet's food supply? The oceans The oceans

4. Today, what threatens irreplaceable water resources in many parts of the globe? expansion of agriculture, damming, diversion, over-use, and pollution Lake Tahoe, Nevada

5.This is one of the greatest public health challenges facing national governments today for more than 1 billion people. Providing safe drinking water Providing safe drinking water clip stock-footage-new-york-city-usa-march-crowds-in-rush-hour-people-traffic-commuters-new-york-city

6. In many developing countries, safe water, free of pathogensand other contaminants, is unavailable to much of the population, and water contamination remains a concern even for developed countries with good water supplies and advanced treatment systems. And over- development, especially in coastal regions and areas with strained water supplies, is leading many regions to seek water from more and more distant sources 6. In many developing countries, safe water, free of pathogens and other contaminants, is unavailable to much of the population, and water contamination remains a concern even for developed countries with good water supplies and advanced treatment systems. And over- development, especially in coastal regions and areas with strained water supplies, is leading many regions to seek water from more and more distant sources.

The global water supply is allocated between what (3) major reserves? oceans ice caps Groundwater