(finished) NEW WQ - Part 2 General Info

When is water the densest? (temps in C and F)

4°C (39.2°F)

How do water droplets actually grow/form precipitation?

Condensation Nucleation: When aerosols (specifically CCN , cloud condensation nuclei, aka cloud seeds) e.g. salt or dust are in the air, allowing water to condense around it. It allows the water to condense at lower supersaturation levels.
Coalescence: Collision between the guys from condensation (within the cloud, due to air currents) form larger droplets, until its large enough to become precipitation.

Fluoridation

the addition of fluorine into drinking water to strengthen oral health

At what pH is it considered acid rain?

<5.6

What is Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)?

Cumulative knowledge, beliefs, & practices passed from generation to generation informed by cultural memories, sensitivity to change, and values that include reciprocity. TEK observations are qualitative and long-term.

later: Aragonite

The metastable polymorph of calcium carbonate (of calcifying organisms.)

Bioremediation (5)

Uses microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) to clean up contaminated soil and groundwater by breaking down pollutants. Can be done in-situ (on-site) or ex-situ (removed, and treated elsewhere).
IN-SITU :
- Bioaugmentation (Specific, sometimes lab-grown microbes are added when local pops. are insufficient)
- Biostimulation (Nutrients e.g. nitrogen, phosphorus, and O2 are added to encourage the activity of existing native microbes.)
- Biosparging (Air is injected below the water table into the saturated zone to promote the biodegradation of groundwater contaminants.)

-Bioventing: Same as biosparging, except in unsaturated zone ABOVE water table

- Bioslurping (Combines pumping to recover sludge, scum, etc w/ bioventing)

"small carbon reservoir"

consumers

later: Simpson Diversity Index

Measure of biodiversity that calculates the probability that two individuals randomly selected will belong to the same species. Ranges from 0 to 1; a lower D value indicates higher diversity
Focuses moreso on dominance than Shannon.

later: Shannon diversity Index

Measures the uncertainty of predicting the identity of a randomly sampled individual; higher values (typically 1.5–3.5) indicate more diverse ecosystems.
Gives more weight to rare species than Simpson.

Allen's rule

Warm-blooded animals in colder climates tend to have shorter limbs and bodily appendages (ears, tails, beaks) than those in warmer regions. Minimizes heat loss.

(update) Halosere

OLD: The process where a freshwater body gradually transforms into a terrestrial habitat through a series of plant community stages. Starts with phytoplankton and ends with a climax forest, filling in with organic matter and soil over time. Moves from fully aquatic to swamp, marsh, meadow, and finally woodland.

NEW:

Internal Loading

aka anoxic release.

When bottom waters become anoxic, the chemical bond between iron and phosphorus breaks, releasing phosphorus from sediments into the water.
Management: Can use e.g. alum to bind phosphorus to the sediment.

later: Allochthonous

Organic matter that originated from same place else (a different environment, habitat, or location.)

Ebullition

When gas (mostly methane, CH4, originating from the decomp of sediment by ANAEROBIC bacteria on the lake bed) form large bubbles, eventually rising up. Significantly contributes to greenhouse gasses!

Some things that drive ebullition in the ocean (3)

Microbes: The building-up of marine snow in anoxic sediment layers to decompose (or the presence of H-spewing Hydrothermal vents) both mean methanogenic archea can perform methanogensis (using H to reduce CO2 into methane gas (CH₄)). Methane has low water solubility, so it eventually becomes bubbles trapped in the sediment.

Pressure changes: Gas solubility is proportional to its pressure above the water surface (Henry’s Law); the gas particles are pressing against/dissolving into the water surface less when pressure is lower. Lower pressure then means the bubbles can expand (Boyle’s law) and escape from the water to reach equillibrium again.

Water depth : Shallow areas tend to have more ebullition; in deeper water, the higher hydrostatic pressure keep the methane dissolved within the porewater (in between benthic sediment). If bubbles do form, they might just dissolve back into water due to greater distance to surface.

The largest carbon resevoir

The ocean

Red Tides

Cause by harmful algal blooms of dinoflagellates (“Karenia brevis”), particularly in Gulf of Mexico

Brackish water reverse osmosis

Water treatment (to become drinkable, for irrigation, etc), specifically for brackish water. Uses reverse osmosis.

Virtual water vs direct water

#1 : The water “hidden” in the products, services and processes people buy and use every day. (e.g. in beef or jeans)
#2 : The water that is seen, felt and used in a given time and location to intentionally produce an item or service (e.g. tap water)

Reverse osmosis and pros/cons

Push water through semi-permeable membranes via very high pressure (maybe after pretreatment of sediment filter of quartz, sand, etc)
Pros :
- Very clean-- ~99%; removes heavy metals, chlorine , bacteria, etc.
-Softens hard water
- More energy-efficient than other distillation systems; cheaper to buy
- Environmentally friendly-- no chemical additives etc in process
Cons :
- Removes good minerals e.g. salt, potassium, and magnesium from water
- Lots of wastewater; 3:1 or even 6:1.
- Slow compared to other methods

Allelopathy

When an organism produces biochemicals ( allelochemicals ) that influence the germination, growth, survival, and reproduction of other organisms. Can be detrimental (negative) or beneficial (positive). May be good for controlling HAB's. May be good for ensuring success of invasive plants e.g. hyacinth etc.
Example : Cyanobacteria (releases cyanotoxins, often during HAB's. Toxic to humans; inhibits algae/plant growth)

Novel weapons hypothesis

Invasive species succeed by introducing novel biochemicals—such as allelopathic root exudates or toxins—to which native communities lack co-evolved defenses.

Peat

A surface organic layer of a soil that consists of partially decomposed organic matter (derived mostly from plant material) which has accumulated under conditions of waterlogging, oxygen deficiency, high acidity and nutrient deficiency. Unique to peatlands, bogs, mires, moors, or muskegs.

Bergmann's rule

Endothermic animals in colder climates tend to be larger in size, for insulation. (reduced surface area to volume ratio)

Give me a summary of the phosphorus cycle.

Phosphate ions are released by weathering rocks/sediment , it goes into the soil, it's used by plants/animals, which die and return it. Within the soil, bacteria break down organic matter to inorganic forms of phosphorus (mineralisation), making it available to plant again.

Phosphates can end up in water via e.g. runoff, where it's incorporated back into sediment.

No significant atmospheric phase (besides, like, bird waste, which moves phosphorus from sea to land)

Give me a cool fact about the phosphorus cycle.

• Is the slowest and most limited cycle because is sparse but important for plants, and has no atmospheric phase.

Diel vertical migration

Daily migration of organisms e.g. fish, zooplankton, cyanobacteria, etc between epipelagic zone (night) and end of mesopelagic zone (day), to avoid daytime predators/have better food access.
Can encourage algal blooms, increase turbidity (as zooplankton only feed on phytoplankton at night), etc.

Three types: Nocturnal (most common), reverse (descends at night instead,), and twilight (descends at midnight (“midnight sink”), and ascends/descends again at sunrise)

Diel horizontal migration

DVM, but between coastal and open waters (coastal at night)

later: PAR

Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) . Designates the spectral range (wave band) of solar radiation from 400 to 700 nm that photosynthetic organisms are able to use in photosynthesis.

HCBs

Harmful Cyanobacterial Blooms .
Excessive cyanobacteria growth due to nutrient pollution (nitrogen/phosphorus), warm temperatures, and stagnant water.
They release toxic cyanotoxins , which damage the liver, nervous system, and kidneys of wildlife, humans, and aquatic organisms.
They also form light-blocking mats on the surface, and increase BOD (decreasing DO .)

later: Ephemeral

Temporary aquatic features that flow or hold water only during or immediately after precipitation events (rain or snowmelt). Above the water table, and doesn't receive groundwater.

What are some Emerging Contaminants (ECs)? Tell me about them.

• For all of these, assume they are bad for organisms’/humans’ health, and that they all biomagnify/bioaccumulate.

• “POP” means “Persistent Organic Pollutant”— resists degradation/remains in the environment for long time.

PFAS (some are POP): Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. High chemical/thermal stability; referred to as “forever chemicals”. E.g. nonstick cookware

PBDEs (POP): Polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Used as flame retardants, plastics, etc. Marked for elimination by Stockholm Convention.

PPCPs: Pharmaceuticals/personal care products. Can only be removed via a 4th treatment stage in sewage treatment plants (more uncommon). Are endocrine disrupters; reproductive effects notable.

Microplastics, nano materials: Tiny plastic pieces and particles. Becomes imbeded in tissue; can start at base of food webs (sticks to autotrophs). Can adsorb/be sinks for various toxic chemicals.

Pesticides (some are POP): E.g. chemical weed killers, insect sprays, or fungus treatments.

How do dams decrease water quality? (5)

• The impounded water (behind dams) can become more stagnant in warmer months (when flow is slower)-- and traps heat -- giving way to HAB's, and not holding as much DO.
  - When water goes from free to stagnant, the sediment sinks to the bottom, on in/epifauna
  - Dams prevent fish from going upstream.
  - Ramping -- when the flow going through a dam suddenly changes-- can strand fish
  - Pollutants build up behind dams in the sediment.

How do riparian buffers help watersheds? (4)

Creates shade to help w/ cooler temps of the water, which also increase DO! Also provides habitats via branches etc, and prevents erosion by holding soil in place (sediment pollution!) AND FILTERS RUNOFF! (picks up e.g. insecticides, oil…)

Give 4 examples of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).

Cultural burning : Controlled burning of landscape to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires (since dead leaves/twigs can build up), increase biodiversity(/growth of specific plants), and create habitats for wildlife.
"Three Sisters" companion planting : Mesoamerica. Plant corn, bean, and squash together; corn creates something for the bean to grow up, the bean provides nitrogen fixation (N2 into ammonium, NH4)-- fertilizing it, and squash leaves at the bottom shade the soil, keeping moisture, and preventing weeds. gathering foods mix up soil
Qanat System : Iran. Horizontal underground tunnels for water extraction from aquifers in mountains = no water loss via evaporation, and no overextraction (limitations of gravity), allowing the aquifer to recharge.
Chinampas : Mexico; Aztecs. Make "islands" in shallow lakes via mud, decaying organic matter, etc; plant willow trees along edges, so their dense roots can anchor them. These roots increase water quality via filtering.

How is climate change effecting Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)?

Climate change can lower the accuracy of TEK, which was based on temps/conditions before.
Also, it and the loss of animals/plants can interrupt cultural traditions and practices.

(later) Baffles

Barriers are inlet/outlet pipes that helps wastewater flow smoothly into the tank without disturbing scum layer. Also guides wastewater in a longer path across the septic tank
Two in each septic tank-- outlet and inlet.

Septic tanks
What are they? What are they for? What are the steps?

Part of septic system , alongside drainfield/soil absorption field, in wastewater treatment . Place where water sediment etc separates (oil/fats as "scum" on top; soil, food etc as "sludge" at bottom), and where microorganisms for BOD of suspended solids happens. After, is referred to as " effluent " and enters drain field.

(later) Drainfield/soil absorption field

Last part of septic system process; after BOD in septic tanks, the effluent is distributed through perforated pipes buried in trenches filled with gravel or sand. As the water trickles out, it percolates through soil, which acts as a natural filter, while microbes in the soil break down harmful bacteria, nutrients, etc. The purified water eventually reaches and recharges the groundwater. It then rejoins the water cycle.

Later: What is retention time of a septic tank?

The time the water spends in the tank, on its way from inlet to outlet, as it waits for stuff to separate. (mostly lasts 24-48 hours)

Two-eyed seeing framework

A framework that encourages seeing from "one eye" with the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing, and from the "2nd eye" with the strengths of Western ways, using both together for a more holistic perspective.

Aquifer storage and recovery Pros/cons

Aka ASR.

The injection of surface water supplies e.g. clean (potable) water, reclaimed water (i.e. rainwater), or river water into an aquifer for later extraction and use. (both mostly via wells.) Largely, the water's cleaned first. May be enacted during low demand, and/or to be ready for conditions e.g. when percolation is low, or during dry season (drinking, irrigation…)
Pros : Insufficient above-ground storage space, water=protected from external factors e.g. temp, evaporation, etc, and cheaper (no expensive treatment plants etc)
Cons : Potential aquifer contamination by heavy metals or microbes, encouragement to rely on sourcewater (surface/ground water) which drains streams etc