Earth Science - Water Resources

Water

Is a marvelous substance which can be beautiful, powerful, and destructive

• Solid

• liquid

• Gas

Water is found in three states:

71%

About ____ of the earth’s surface is covered with water

Oceans

• It is the largest area and volume of water

• Contains more than 97% of the Earth’s water

• Contains an average of 35g of salt per liter

• Can be used after being desalinated

97%

In Ocean, it contains more than ___ of the Earth’s water

35g

In Ocean, it contains an average of _____ of salt per liter

Ice and Snow

• Contains almost 90% of the freshwater

• It is as much as 2km thick

90%

Ice and Snow contains almost __ of the freshwater

2km

Ice and Snow is as much as ___ thick

Ground Water

• Is water in the rock and soil layer beneath Earth’s surface

• Absorb excess runoff rain and snow on the ground

• Return to lakes, streams, rivers and/or marshes

• Is readily available for use and drinking

Lakes

Are created from a variety of geological events:

• Tectonic-basin lake

• Volcanic Lake

• Glacial Lake

• Groundwater-discharge Lake

Freshwater Lakes

• Contribute 91,000km3 (about 0.007% of the total Earth’s water)

• Provide water for agricultural irrigation, industrical processes

• Caspian Sea

• The Great Salt Lake

• The Dead Sea

• Aral Sea

Major Freshwater lakes:

Central Asia

Caspian Sea (location of lake)

U.S

The Great Salt Lake (location of lake)

Between Jordan and Israel

The Dead Sea (location of lake)

Between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

Aral Sea (location of lake)

Aquifers

Are underground layers of rock or soil that hold and provide water

Saline Lakes

Lakes that have high amounts of dissolved salts

Rivers and Streams

• Are bodies of flowing surface water driven by gravity

• Contain only 2,120km3

• Off-stream Uses

• In-stream Uses

Types of Water Uses

• Agriculture

• Irrigation

• Livestock

• Aquaculture

• Thermoelectric

• Industrial

• Mining

• Domestic

• Commercial

Off-stream Uses:

• Hydropower

• Navigation

• Recreation

• Ecosystem Support

In-Stream Uses:

• Fresh Water Shortage

• Water Overuse

Water Use Problems and Conflicts:

• Flood Irrigation

• Sprinkler Irrigation

Types of Water Uses (Irrigation)