Observing the Earth - Chapter 12

What is withdrawal?

any process that uses water and returns it locally

What is consumption?

processes that use water and return it far from its source

What is non-consumptive water use?

water that is used in a way that either returns the water immediately to its source or does not permanently remove it from the water cycle

What is the difference between consumptive and non-consumptive?

• Consumptive means to take and keep.

• Non-consumptive means to take and return.

What are the 3 major industries that use water?

domestic, industrial, and agricultural

How is agricultural water withdrawn and consumed?

• used to water crops and provide drinking water for livestock.

• water is usually withdrawn from rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and groundwater.

• much of it is consumed through evaporation and absorption by plants.

How is industrial water use withdrawn and consumed?

• used by factories, manufacturing plants, mining operations, and power plants.

• water is withdrawn from rivers, lakes, and groundwater.

• some water is consumed through evaporation or incorporated into products.

• some is treated and returned to rivers or other water sources.

How is domestic (household) water use withdrawn and consumed?

• used for drinking, cooking, baking, washing clothes, and flushing toilets

• water usually comes from municipal water systems or private wells.

• some water is consumed, such as water used for drinking and cooking.

• much of it goes down drains and is treated at wastewater treatment plans before discharged or reused.

What is an example of industrial water use?

A power plant withdraws river water to cool machinery and returns much of it to the river.

What is an example of agricultural water use?

A farmer pumps groundwater to irrigate a cornfield. Some water evaporates, and some is absorbed by the crops.

What is an example of domestic (household water use) ?

You take a shower. Water is withdrawn from the water supply, used, and then sent down the drain.

What are diversion systems?

a pipe, canal, or other infrastructure that transports water from its natural place and path in hydrologic cycle to a new place and path to serve human needs.

What do dams do?

trap and store seasonal precipitation

What are the advantages of dams?

• water storage

• flood control

• irrigation

• hydroelectric power

• recreation

What are the disadvantages of dams?

• disrupt ecosystems

• cause erosion

• displace people

• change the natural flow of rivers

What is ground water depletion?

the use of water faster than it is replenished

What is land subsidence?

• Land sinks because groundwater removal causes the ground to compact.

• Sinking of Earth’s surface

• Caused by loss of aquifer porosity

What is saltwater intrusion?

depletion of fresh ground water in coastal zones allows saline water to intrude

What are the effects of groundwater depletion?

• cone of depression

• land subsidence

• saltwater intrusion

What are regulated in the Clean Water Act?

It regulates pollutant discharges into U.S. surface waters and sets surface water quality standards.

What are biodegradable pollutants?

Pollutants that can decay or decompose naturally

What are the sources for biodegradable pollutants?

• sewage: wastewater and human activities

• disease organisms: human and animal waste

• phosphates and nitrate fertilizers: agricultural fertilizers and lawn fertilizers

What are non-biodegradable pollutants?

pollutants that do not decompose naturally and can remain in the environment

What are the sources for the non-biodegradable pollutants?

• PBTS (persistent, bio-accumulative, toxic substances): non-bio-degrable posions

• Organic industrial compounds: some pesticides, mine waste, and sediment

• Toxic organics: mine wastes, road salt, and lead mineral

• Mineral sediments: soil erosion and sediment runoff

What is point-source pollution?

Pollution that stems from a specific site such as a septic tank or gas spill

What is non-point source pollution?

stems from a broader area such as fertilizer, pesticide, runoff from lawns/farms