Environmental Issues

WATER Is one of our most precious RESOURCES Is one of our most precious RESOURCES

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

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

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

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

The water cycle if the oceans were not recharged, their water level would decrease over 40 inches per year 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 rainwater accounts for only 1% of the total water supply rain is vital in keeping the water balance on earth rain is vital in keeping the water balance on earth

WATER CYCLE WATER IN ATMOSPHERE PRECIPITATION EVAPORATION WATER /ICE

Three zones 1. Surface 1. dry soil accepts water until saturated 2. Zone of aeration 1. empty spaces filled with air, extends from the deepest roots to just above the water table

Three zones 3. Groundwater zone 1. below zone of aeration 2. water saturated rocks called aquifers 3. can equal about 100 years of surface runoff volume

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fish and Wildlife the way water is handled affects the fish in the water and the wildlife around the water 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 land wildlife, inland birds, waterfowl different species require different types of water different species require different types of water

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

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

Recreation Frozen water activities Frozen water activities ice skatingice skating hockeyhockey snowboardingsnowboarding skiingskiing

Domestic Uses cooking cooking baths or showers baths or showers carry away wastes carry away wastes Each American uses more water than any other person in the world 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 In the US each person uses approximately 150 gallons of water per day Bath Bath 3-40 gallons3-40 gallons Shower Shower 5 gallons per minute5 gallons per minute

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

Use How wasteful can we be and still have enough clean water to survive? 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. 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 water Water that is suitable for DRINKING is referred to as POTABLE water

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

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

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

Nitrates Nitrates are a common source of POLLUTION Nitrates are a common source of POLLUTION

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

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

Eutrophication Also known as POND SCUM Also known as POND SCUM

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

Sewage Treatment Plants Larger towns and cities Larger towns and cities Treat waste water to remove B.O.D. Treat waste water to remove B.O.D. Use Oxygenation, Chlorine, & UV Light Use Oxygenation, Chlorine, & UV Light Tremonton, Brigham City Tremonton, Brigham City

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

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

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

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

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

Non-Point Source Pollution Pollution that originates from many sources Pollution that originates from many sources

Point source pollution Pollution that results from a single source Pollution that results from a single source

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

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

Soil Erosion Damage Loss of topsoil Loss of topsoil Pollution of rivers and streams Pollution of rivers and streams Kills fish and plants Kills fish and plants

Soil Conservation Service An agency organized to help prevent the loss of topsoil and to stop erosion caused by the washing away of soil. 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 Windbreaks Terracing Terracing Crop rotation (summer fallow) Crop rotation (summer fallow) Contour plowing Contour plowing No-till and minimum till planting No-till and minimum till planting

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

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

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