Water Systems and Aquatic Food Production

Flashcards covering vocabulary and key concepts from the lecture notes on water systems, the hydrologic cycle, water security, aquatic food production, and water pollution.

Condensation and Heat Release

When evaporated water cools in the atmosphere, it condenses into small droplets that form clouds. This releases latent heat, which is necessary for regulating Earth's energy balance and driving climate patterns.

Water Balance

A quantitative assessment of the amount of water stored and the flows in the hydrological cycle.

Organisms' Role in the Water Cycle

Facilitates biological processes such as photosynthesis and respiration.

Evapotranspiration

Combines evaporation from soil and water surfaces with transpiration from plants. Represents the total water loss from an area to the atmosphere and is critical for the global water balance, influencing climate and water availability.

Hydrologic Cycle

The constant movement of water through the phases of the hydrosphere, driven by solar radiation and gravity.

Solar Radiation and Evaporation

Heats water, causing molecules to gain energy and transform from liquid to gas (evaporation).

Gravity's Role in Water Movement

Directs water downwards through infiltration (replenishing groundwater) and runoff (excess water flowing to oceans).

Global Hydrologic Cycle

The continuous movement of water within Earth's atmosphere, surface, and subsurface; a closed system powered by solar energy and balanced by gravity.

Reservoirs of the Hydrologic Cycle

Oceans, polar ice caps and glaciers, groundwater, surface water, and the atmosphere.

Flows in the Hydrologic Cycle

Evaporation, transpiration, condensation, advection, precipitation, melting, freezing, surface runoff, infiltration, percolation, streamflow, and groundwater flow.

Sublimation

Transformation of ice directly into water vapor.

Evaporation (Flow in Hydrologic Cycle)

Water changes from liquid to gas due to heat from the sun.

Condensation (Flow in Hydrologic Cycle)

Water vapor cools and transforms into liquid droplets, forming clouds and releasing latent heat.

Advection (Flow in Hydrologic Cycle)

Horizontal movement of water vapor, clouds, or frozen water droplets by wind.

Precipitation (Flow in Hydrologic Cycle)

Water returns to Earth from the atmosphere as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Ice Melt (Flow in Hydrologic Cycle)

Ice or snow converts to liquid water due to heat.

Freezing (Flow in Hydrologic Cycle)

Liquid water transforms into ice as temperatures drop.

Surface Runoff (Flow in Hydrologic Cycle)

Excess water flows over the land surface when precipitation exceeds infiltration capacity.

Infiltration (Flow in Hydrologic Cycle)

Precipitation penetrates the soil, depending on soil type, land use, and vegetation.

Percolation (Flow in Hydrologic Cycle)

Movement of water through the soil, contributing to groundwater storage and aquifer recharge.

Streamflow (Flow in Hydrologic Cycle)

Water flows through rivers and streams, moving surface water across the land to the oceans.

Groundwater Flow (Flow in Hydrologic Cycle)

Movement of water stored underground in aquifers, resurfacing in springs, rivers, or oceans.

Human Impact on the Water Cycle

Human activities have altered the natural flows and reserves of the hydrologic cycle.

Sustainable Capture

The extraction of water at a rate that allows the system to replenish itself without long-term depletion.

Sustainable Yield

The amount of water that can be extracted while maintaining a steady state.

Water Security

Reliable availability of an adequate quantity of water of acceptable quality for health, livelihoods, and production, coupled with an acceptable level of water-related risks.

Public Health (Importance of Water)

Prevent waterborne diseases.

Food Security (Importance of Water)

Need stable water sources for crop production.

Economic Stability (Importance of Water)

Requires water for production and services.

Environmental Protection (Importance of Water)

Ecosystems need water to function, supporting biodiversity.

Population Growth (Threat to Water Security)

Generates a greater demand for water resources that surpasses natural replenishment.

Pollution (Threat to Water Security)

Pollutes freshwater sources reducing available clean water.

Climate Change (Threat to Water Security)

Reduces the availability of freshwater.

Cross-Border Conflicts Over Water (Threat to Water Security)

Rivers and aquifers can become points of conflict.

Water Scarcity

Occurs when there is limited freshwater available to meet human needs.

Physical Water Scarcity

Not enough water available to meet the demands of a population, typically in arid regions, leading to overexploitation of resources.

Economic Water Scarcity

Sufficient water is available, but financial, institutional, or infrastructural barriers prevent access, disproportionately affecting poorer communities.

Dams and Reservoirs

Store water, controlling river flow to ensure a reliable supply during dry periods, while also generating hydroelectric power and aiding in flood management.

Rainwater Harvesting Systems

Collecting and storing rainwater from roofs or designed collection areas for later use, reducing reliance on groundwater.

Desalinization Plants

Removes salt and minerals from seawater to produce fresh water.

Improvement of Natural Wetlands

Act as natural filters, improving water quality by removing pollutants, storing water, improving groundwater recharge, and supporting local biodiversity.

Water Metering

Installing water meters to control water usage to visualize water uses, encouraging reduction in consumption.

Water Rationing

Limiting water consumption during droughts.

Recycling Water

Reusing water from domestic activities reduces freshwater demand.

Low-Flow Toilets

To use less water per flush in toilets.

Rainwater Harvesting

To collect and store rainwater for later use which reduces the dependence on the water supply.

Greenhouses Which Utilize Reversible Rainwater

Capture water from a roof and store it in a tank and reduces loss of water by evaporation.

Aquaponic Systems

An integrated system that blends aquaculture with hydroponics in a closed looped cycle to reduce the need for fertilizers.

Drip Irrigation

Used to reduce water loss from evaporation or runoff.

Drought-Resistant Crops

Helps to ensure food safety and improve on food savings.

Phytoplankton

Composed of microscopic organisms that perform photosynthesis. It is the main producer in aquatic ecosystems, as it converts sunlight into chemical energy.

Function In Trophic Networks

Function in the trophic networks, fitoplankton is the first step in the transfer of solar energy. Consumed by zooplankton.

Macrophytes

Large aquatic plants that are visible to the naked eye. Play a fundamental role in providing habitat and energy. They provide food and shelter.

Emergents

Roots in the water but extend on the surface.

Submerged

Grow under the surface.

Floating

Float on the water's surface.

Insustainable Capture Practices

Pressure on ecosystems has led to over exploitation of fish and sustainable capture practices.

Bottom Trawling

Fishing method where large and heavy nets are dragged along the sea bed.

Bottom Trawling Impact

Capture unintentionally species, which causes damage to the sea beds, which impacts the ecosystem.

Impact of Explosion Fishing

Causes damage immediately and in the long term to the ecosystems.

Maximum Sustainable Yield

The biggest capture of the average to long term which can be extracted from a population in environmental conditions.

Fishing Quotas

Limit of the amount of fish that can be captured during a specified event.

Climate Change

Increases temperature, alternations currants and provokes climate pattern extremities which leads to alterate the delicate balance of ecosystems.

Climate Change and Acidification

Two important challenges that are related to activities that release green house gasses.

Coral Bleaching

Corals have a symbiotic relationship with algae and expels algae due to stress.

Marine Reserved Areas(MPA)

Specific regions of the ocean where human activities are restricted to allow recovery.

Aquaculture

Aquaculture involves a harvest of aquatic organisms in a area that is controlled.

Water Contamination

The chemicals or bacteria degrade the quality of the water, these things can come from distinct manners.

Reduce The Liberation of Contaminants To The Environment

To catch and treat contaminants.

Eliminating Contaminates to Restore Ecosystems

Remove contaminants from the areas of contaminants.

Eutrophication

Formed when lakes, estuaries, coastal waters receive things such as nitrates and phosphates which result in a great growth of fitoplancton.

Aporte de Nutrientes

Fertilizers that contain chemicals is a source of nitrates and phosphates that get dragged by rain.

Secuencia de Impactos Causada Por Eutrofización

Happens due to the light getting blocked, a mass production of algaes dies and cause the process which degrades biological activity with oxygen.