Structure and processes within hydrosphere WATER…. Structure and processes within hydrosphere
Water Earth is ¾ water Water breakdown Oceans -97.3% Frozen - 2.1% Underground (aquifers) – 0.6% Lakes and rivers – 0.01% Atmosphere – 0.001%
Distribution of Water on Earth
Properties of Water Cohesive – sticks to itself Adhesive – sticks to other materials High specific heat – takes lots of energy to increase/decrease temperature
Properties of Water Water is polar Polar likes polar Oil is not polar – oil does not mix http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uHsvLxu3GU
Properties of Water Density = 1 g/mL Mass/volume (room temp) Density is effected by temperature and salinity Most dense at 4⁰C Least dense - solid Only substance to EXPAND when solid Why is this a good thing?
Properties of Water Density influences ocean currents Warm water flows from equator to poles Cold water flows from poles to equator
Water Cycle Movement of water in, on, and above earth’s surface Constantly changing forms; ice, water, vapor
Water Cycle Flows over the land Runs off Infiltrates Evaporates
Water Cycle Evaporates –moisture in atmosphere; forms clouds Rain to Run off – streams, rivers, lakes, oceans, etc Rain to infiltration – absorbed by vegetation, fills gaps in earth, becomes ground water
Water cycle Which would allow water to flow through more easily? Notice the gaps!!!! Easiest Most Difficult 2nd Easiest
Water Cycle Create mural of water cycle Include the following: Run off, precipitation, evaporation, infiltration, condensation, and transpiration Define each term on the back of your mural Can be found on page 158-159 in blue Earth Science Book
River Basins An entire geographical area drained by a river and its tributaries Characterized by all runoff being taken to same outlet
Watersheds Smaller area of land that drains to a smaller stream, lake or wetland Many smaller watersheds within a river basin.
Ground Water Ground Water: the water that lies beneath the ground surface filling cracks and pores in all types of rock Source rain and snow that falls to the ground, some percolates down into the ground
Porosity and Permeability Porous: a rock that holds much water Permeable: a rock that allows water to flow easily through it Impermeable: a rock that does not allow water to flow through it easily
The Water Table water table: the upper surface of the zone of saturation
Aquifers Aquifer: a body of saturated rock or sediment through which water can move easily sandstone, conglomerate, limestone, bodies of sand and gravel
Movement of Groundwater Percolates into ground (downward) May travel down slope Moves easily through porous rock and not through compacted rock or rocks w/o pores
Ground Water and Flooding Ground becomes too saturated – leads to flooding saturated zone: the subsurface zone in which all rock openings are filled with water
Ground Water and Flooding
http://video. nationalgeographic http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/environment/environment-natural-disasters/landslides-and-more/floods/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDtBby7lJX0
Human Use of Water
Wells Well: cylindrical hole dug to penetrate aquifer within saturated zone Recharge: addition of new water to aquifer
Balancing Withdrawal and Recharge Not balancing can result in: a regional water table dropping the ground surface settling because the water no longer supports the rock and sediment Subsidence of the land surface caused by the extraction of ground water, near Mendota, San Joaquin Valley, CA. Signs on the pole indicate the positions of the land surface in 1925, 1955, and 1977. The land sank 30 feet in 52 years.
Balancing Withdrawal and Recharge Towns may use artificial recharge to increase recharge Water is stored in infiltration ponds = increase the rate of water percolation into the ground
Groundwater Pollution chemicals used for agriculture can find their way into groundwater rain can also leach pollutants from city dumps into ground-water supplies
Groundwater Pollution May affect water years from now May take a long time to reach water
Groundwater Pollution Saltwater Intrusion Movement of saline water into freshwater aquifers Contamination of drinking water Salt water is denser, as freshwater is leached, salt water can take its place
Surface water Pollution Non-point pollution – pollution from many sources Sedimentation, stormwater runoff, etc Not easily traced Point-pollution – pollution from one source Easily traced and easily taken care of
Water Treatment Most water that goes down drains in urbanized areas are treated Removal of sludge from water Very toxic waste that we must dispose of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z14l51ISwg
Water Treatment Drinking water from salt water Desalination – removal of salt from saltwater Takes lots of energy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u54T7hbR_R4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdxoS80xsSo
Conservation Measures 1972 – Clean Water Act “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters.” 1972 – Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act 1975 – Safe Drinking Water Act (groundwater and surface water) 1987 – Water Quality Act
Conservation Measures Need to protect water sources for our future Increase population = increase need for water Increase population = increase pollution Must take care of our water for our survival!
Hydroelectric Dams Build barrier in valley to retain freshwater Water rises to the same level as top of barrier Uses water flow to also generate clean electricity.
Hydroelectric Dams Positive effects Long term large body of freshwater resource Prevents water from reaching ocean quickly Provides large areas with freshwater Clean electricity Recreation Control water flow – less chance of flooding
Hydroelectric Dams Negative effects (down stream) Reduces water flow Less water for down stream individuals Less water for wild life Less nutrients carried Migrating/reproducing organisms cannot pass dam Dam break = massive flooding
Hydroelectric Dams Negative effects (upstream) Displaces wildlife/destroys lower level environments Floods towns/homes below level of dam Stagnant water = decrease in water quality
Hydroelectric Dams Much debate over building new power dams Several dams being destroyed to allow natural flow Energy/water crisis Are dams our answer??