Lecture Notes on Hydrological Cycle, Human Impacts, Water Security, Aquatic Food Webs, and Water Quality

Flashcards covering key concepts from lecture notes, including the hydrological cycle, human impacts on water systems, water security, aquatic food webs, and water quality.

What are the main water storages on Earth?

Oceans, glaciers and ice caps, and groundwater

What drives the flows of water in the hydrological cycle?

Solar radiation and gravity

Name three flows driven by solar radiation in the hydrological cycle.

Evaporation, transpiration, and advection

Name two flows driven by gravity in the hydrological cycle.

Condensation and precipitation

What are the main impacts of agriculture on water systems?

Irrigation, fertilizer use, machine use, and deforestation

What are some irrigation methods?

Hand watering, drip irrigation, sprinkles, and flood irrigation

How does heavy machinery impact water systems?

Compacts the soil, reducing permeability and increasing surface runoff.

What are the impacts of deforestation on water systems?

Increased surface runoff, risks of flooding, and reduced groundwater storage

How does urbanization impact water systems?

Increased surface runoff, flood risk, and reduced groundwater replenishment

What puts pressure on Earth's hydrological system?

Population growth, economic growth, pollution, and overextraction.

What is water security?

Having access to sufficient amounts of safe drinking water.

What is water scarcity?

The limited availability of water to human society.

What factors affect equitable water access?

Socioeconomic, cultural, and political factors

Name three strategies to increase the supply of water.

Dams and reservoirs, desalination, enhancement of natural wetlands, and rainwater harvesting.

What are some industrial level water conservation strategies in food production systems?

Drip irrigation, greenhouses, agroponics, and drought-resistant crops.

What is intrinsic value?

A characteristic of a natural system that has an inherent worth, irrespective of economic considerations.

What is instrumental value?

The value accorded to something because of its use for human beings

What are primary producers in aquatic food webs?

Phytoplankton, macrophytes

What are primary consumers in aquatic food webs?

Zooplankton and small fish

What are secondary consumers in aquatic food webs?

Larger fish, dolphins, and whales

Give examples of tertiary consumers (apex predators) in aquatic food webs.

Sharks or marine mammals.

Why are many fish species overexploited?

Regulations are lacking, high-tech fishing catches unsustainable amounts, and global markets make it difficult for consumers to make good choices.

What is Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)?

The highest fish catch that allows the fish population to reproduce itself, equivalent to net productivity.

Name abiotic factors that contribute to water quality.

Dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, temperature, pH, turbidity, and concentrations of nutrients, metals, and dissolved solids.

What does dissolved oxygen (DO) indicate?

The amount of oxygen available in a water body to support aquatic organisms.

What does biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) measure?

The amount of dissolved oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic material in water.

What is a point-source of pollution?

A single identifiable source of pollution; easier to monitor and control.

What is a non-point-source of pollution?

Pollution from diffuse sources; harder to monitor and control.

What is bioaccumulation?

The build-up of non-biodegradable pollutants in an organism.

What is biomagnification?

The build-up of non-biodegradable pollutants in a food chain.

What are the main pollutants in domestic sewage?

Pathogens, organic pollution, and nutrients.

Where is agricultural runoff originate?

Entering waterways from diffuse sources.

What are the main pollutants in industrial effluent?

Heavy metals and chemicals.

What are some examples of solid waste pollutants in water?

Includes bottles, bags, and microplastics.

How do oil spills impact aquatic ecosystems?

Spreads quickly, blocks sunlight, and hinders gas exchange.

What are the individual actions to mitigate plastic pollution?

Refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, and recycle.

What are the business and government plastic pollution mitigation actions?

Taxes, financial incentives, and legislation.

What causes eutrophication?

Excessive inputs of mineral nutrients, especially nitrates and phosphates.

What are the main impacts of eutrophication?

Hypoxia, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of ecosystem services.

What are the three levels of management to mitigate eutrophication?

Reduction of human activities, reduction of pollutant release, and removal of pollutants and restoration of ecosystems.

What factors affect the sustainability of fish harvesting practices?

The number of fish caught, level of bycatch, and damage done to habitats.

What are some common fish harvesting methods?

Longline, pole and line, purse seine, gillnet, bottom trawl, and pelagic trawl.

How does climate change affect aquatic ecosystems?

Ocean acidification, coral bleaching, loss of habitat

How are coral reefs restored?

Techniques like coral gardening and breeding warmth-resistant species are ways to what?

What actions can national governments take to limit the fish catch?

Setting quotas, issuing fishing permits, and setting seasonal restrictions.

What are individual actions fishermen can take to mitigate unsustainable practices?

Following catch limits, managing fishing gear, and avoiding unsustainable fishing methods

How can individual consumers contribute to sustainable fishing practices?

Support local fish sellers, buy certified sustainable fish, and be informed about choices.

How do Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) contribute sustainable practices?

Raise awareness of the negative impacts of overexploitation.

What is a Marine Protected Area (MPA)?

A region where human activities are regulated or restricted to protect marine ecosystems and resources.

What is aquaculture?

Farming aquatic organisms

What are the negative impacts of aquaculture?

Harm to local habitats, discharge of uneaten feed and nutrients, use of antifouling agents and antibiotics, and escaped farm fish

What could minimize negative effects of aquaculture??

Raise different species together (e.g., seaweed and shellfish) to mimic biodiverse environments.