APES Chapters 13 & 17 - Water Resources and Water Pollution

Water Footprint

the volume of freshwater needed to produce the goods and services demanded by society

Virtual Water

the water “hidden” in the products, services and processes people buy and use every day

Freshwater

water that is not salty and can be used for drinking, agriculture, and sanitation; makes up about 2.5% of Earth’s water supply

Saltwater

water that contains a high concentration of salts, primarily found in oceans and seas; makes up about 97.5% of Earth's water supply.

Differences between freshwater and saltwater

Freshwater has low salt concentration and is suitable for drinking and irrigation, while saltwater has a high salt concentration and is primarily found in oceans, making it unsuitable for most human uses.

Colorado River

A major river in the western United States that provides water for drinking, irrigation, and hydroelectric power, but has faced significant challenges due to overuse and drought.

Groundwater

water located beneath the Earth's surface, stored in aquifers and essential for drinking, irrigation, and industrial uses.

Surface water

water that collects on the Earth's surface, including rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, and is crucial for ecosystems and human activities.

Differences between groundwater and surface water

Groundwater is stored underground in aquifers, while surface water is found in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Groundwater is typically less susceptible to evaporation and pollution compared to surface water.

Water table

the upper surface of groundwater, indicating the level below which soil and rock are saturated with water.

Watershed and runoff

A watershed is an area of land that drains rainwater and snow into a common outlet, while runoff refers to the water that flows over the land surface into rivers, lakes, and streams.

Aquifers

Underground layers of water-bearing rock that store and transmit groundwater.

Ogallala aquifer

a vast underground water reservoir located beneath the Great Plains of the United States, providing irrigation and drinking water.

Pros of dams

Dams provide benefits such as water storage for irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation.

Cons of dams

Dams can lead to ecological disruption, displacement of communities, and sediment buildup, affecting river health.

Aral Sea

a large endorheic lake in Central Asia that has significantly shrunk due to water diversion for irrigation, leading to ecological and economic issues.

Desalination

the process of removing salt and other impurities from seawater to produce fresh water for drinking and irrigation.

Irrigation

the application of controlled amounts of water to plants at needed intervals to assist in growth.

Gray water and water conservation

Gray water refers to recycled water from baths, sinks, and washing machines that can be reused for non-potable purposes, contributing to water conservation efforts.

Flood plain

a flat area adjacent to a river that is subject to periodic flooding, providing fertile soil for agriculture.

Bottled water

The practice of packaging water in plastic or glass containers for consumption. Pros include convenience and accessibility, while cons involve environmental impacts from plastic waste and resource use.

Private vs. Public ownership

Refers to the distinction between water resources managed by private entities versus those managed by government or public organizations, impacting accessibility and management practices.

Marginal cost and usage

The additional cost associated with using one more unit of water, often used to assess the efficiency of water resource allocation and management.

Clean Water Act

A federal law in the United States aimed at regulating water pollution and ensuring safe water quality standards for surface waters.

Point source

pollution that comes from a single identifiable source, such as a pipe or a ditch, making it easier to monitor and regulate.

Nonpoint source

pollution that comes from multiple diffuse sources, such as agricultural runoff or urban stormwater, making it more challenging to control and manage.

Common pollutants

infectious agents, plant nutrients, inorganic chemicals, sediments, thermal, metals, BOD, acid drainage

Cultural eutrophication

The process by which water bodies receive excess nutrients, primarily phosphorus and nitrogen, leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen, which can harm aquatic life.

Agriculture

#1 source of water pollution- contributes through runoff of fertilizers and pesticides.

Typhoid fever, cholera, dysentery

are infectious diseases caused by waterborne pathogens, often linked to contaminated water sources.

Rates of quality recovery

refers to the speed at which a water body can return to its original state of health after pollution events. This concept is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of restoration efforts.

Water quality testing and q values

involves measuring various physical, chemical, and biological parameters to assess the health of a water body. Q values indicate the overall quality of water based on these measurements.

Dissolved oxygen, BOD, pH, turbidity, nitrates, phosphate, fecal coliform, TDS, temperature

are key indicators used in water quality testing to evaluate the health and pollution levels of aquatic ecosystems.

Biomagnification

is the process by which the concentration of toxic substances increases in organisms at each successive trophic level of a food chain, often due to accumulation in the bodies of organisms.

Plastic vortex

is a large area in the ocean where plastic debris accumulates, primarily due to ocean currents. It poses significant threats to marine life and ecosystems.

Marginal cost/benefit analysis for clean up

If the marginal cost of cleaning up a unit of pollution is less than or equal to the price a business pays to be able t pollute, the business will clean up that unit

Water treatment plants

Purifies the raw water intake and renders it suitable for use as boiler make-up water

Safe Drinking Water Act

Was established to protect the quality of drinking water in the U.S. - focuses on all waters actually or potentially designed for drinking use, whether from above ground or underground sources