nre chapter 9

usable water

only 3% of earths water is freshwater

most freshwater in glaciers

groundwater

surface water

groundwater

aquifers

water table

recharge

springs

artesian wells

cone of depression

saltwater intrusion

aquifer

small underground spaces within rock where water is found

unconfined aquifer - an aquifer that is simply porous rock covered by soil

confined aquifer - an aquifer surrounded by a layer of impermeable rock or clay

water table

the uppermost water level in an underground area where water fully saturates the rock or soil

recharge

the input process of water percolating in to replenish an aquifer

springs

exist where water from an aquifer naturally percolates up to the surface

artesian wells

are created when a well is drilled into a confined aquifer

water flows spontaneously upwards, driven by the pressure created in water from the recharge areas

cone of depression

an area where there is no longer any groundwater

saltwater intrusion

pumping freshwater out of a well exceeds recharge rate

near coastal areas, this can cause salt water to infiltrate the aquifer

surface water

oligotrophic - low productivity due to low levels of nutrients such as phosphorus an nitrogen

Mesotrophic - a moderate level of productivity

eutrophic - high levels of productivity

levees

an enlarged bank built up on each side of the river to prevent flooding

dikes

like levees, but prevent ocean waters from flooding adjacent lands

dams

a barrier running across a ricer or stream to control water flow

reservoir

where water is stored behind a dam

fish ladders

water flows over stairs at some dams to help migrating fish move upstream

aqueducts

canals or ditches used to carry water from one location to another

desalination

process to remove water from lake or ocean water saltwater to get freshwater

agriculture

the worlds largest user of water

furrow irregation

a trench that is flooded with water 65% efficint

flood irregation

the entire field is flooded with water, 70-80% efficent

spray irrigation

an apparatus that prays water across a field 75-90% efficient

drip irrigation

slowly dripping hose that is laid or buried in the soil, >95% efficent

hydroponic agriculture

crops grown in fertilized water and no soil

water ownership

people can have rights to water use but thry do not own the water

water conservation

using techniques such as more efficient toilets, shower heads, faucets and washing machines

water pollution

the contamination of streams, rivers, lakes, or groundwater with substances produced by humans that negativly effect organisms

point sources

distinct locations that dump waste into waterways

nopoint sources

diffuse area such as an entire farming region or runoff from a parking lot that polluts a waterway

human wastewayer

water produced by human activitirs such as human sewage from toilets and gray water form bathing and washing clothes or dishes

concerns with human wastewater

oxygen demanding wastes - sewage that feeds bacteria that se oxygen in water

nutrients released from decomposing wastewater makes the water more fertile - causes eutrophication

can carry a variety of water-borne pathogenic organisms - carry many diseases

sludge

receives waste water from house

seepage

llighter materials flow out of the tank into a leach field and are filtered into the soil for digestion

sewage treatment plant

plants in areas with large populations

primary treatment - soild materials settles out wastewater

secondary treatment - air is pumped in to help bacteria digest remainign organic material

legal sewage dumping

raw sewage can sometime be directly pumped into rivers and lakes

with heavy rain, the water and waste water overhwlems the capacity of plants

manure lagoons

large man made ponds lines to prevent leekage into groundwater

the manure is broken down and used of fertalizer

lead

heavy metal that poses a serious health threat to children and infants

lead contaiminates water when water passes through pipes

arsenic

occurs natural in earths crust

mining arsenic preservatives also contributes to higher arsenic concentrates in groundwater

drinking water contamination

mercury

naturally occuring found in increased amounts of water due to human activities

released when coal burning

bacteria converts mercury in toxic which builds up in fish and humans consume

acid deposition and acid mine drainage

acids from burning coal result in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide released into air

converted into sulfuric acid and nitric acid into atmosphere

synthetic organic componds

enter water supply from a manufacturing point sources or from nonpoint sources when applied over very large areas

includes pesticides and others

sediment pollution

sand

silt

clay

oil pollution

petroleum products are highly toxic to marine organisms

birds

fish

mammals

comes from driling undersea oil using offshore platforms