Earth and Environmental Science Honors Unit 3b

Freshwater

Occurs when the precipitation rate is faster than the infiltration rate.

When will surface runoff occur?

the amount of water something can hold

What is porosity?

the ability to have a liquid pass or flow through it

What is permeability?

The smallest is sand/the slowest

The largest is clay/the fastest

Which type of particle is the largest? The smallest? (Clay, Silt, or Sand). In what type of material would infiltration of groundwater occur the fastest? The slowest?

 the zone of saturation

Where can groundwater be found?

groundwater is stored because it is fully saturated.

What is the zone of saturation?

where the pores in the soil and rock are filled with air

The zone of aeration?

Below the water table where it is saturated in water

Where should you put a well? 

A solid surface that prevents water from penetrating through

What are impermeable surfaces? Why are they a problem? 

What is Dissolved Oxygen?

The amount of oxygen gas that has been dissolved in water.

What can make dissolved oxygen increase?

Photosynthesis

What can make dissolved oxygen decrease?

Respiration

What happens if dissolved oxygen is high?

no effect

What happens if dissolved oxygen is low?

no effect

What is Temperature?

The measure of how hot or cold something is

What can make temperature increase?

When water drains into rivers/streams from urban areas or reservoirs

What can make temperature decrease?

With depth and cold water

What happens if the temperature is high?

Reduces the amount of dissolved oxygen, ups plant growth, causes shif in pollutants

What happens if the temperature is high?

Harms cold-blooded animals who rely on the environment

What are Nitrates?

The amount of organic matter or fertilizer in water

What can make nitrates increase?

Runoff, animal or human waste, fossil fuels

What can make nitrates decrease?

Plants

What is Turbidity?

The cloudiness of water

 What can make turbidity increase?

More sediments added to the water, and construction

 What can make turbidity decrease?

Cleaning or filtering

What happens if turbidity is high?

Not safe to drink

What happens if turbidity is low?

no effect

What is pH?

The acidity of a solution

What can make acidity increase?

mining, photosynthesis

What can make acidity decrease?

Burning fossil fuels, respiration

What happens if acidity is high?

Stay safe

What happens if acidity is low?

Acid rain may occur 

What is the common biotic indicator used to measure stream health?

Biotic Index

What is the common biotic indicator used to measure stream health?

Lots of organisms and dissolved oxygen

What represents an unhealthy stream?

No oxygen and no organisms

What is the difference between point source pollution and nonpoint source pollution?

Point source pollution comes from a specific place and non point source pollution can not be traced back to a specific place.

Point source example:

sewage

Non point source example:

Fertilizer

How is sediment a pollutant?

Harms aquatic organisms

What are sediments effects on freshwater?

Can make water unhealthy to drink

How are fertilizers a pollutant?

Causes blocked sunlight, kills aquatic organisms

What are the effects of fertilizer on freshwater?

Uses up oxygen

What is eutrophication?

When water has excess nutrients

What causes eutrophication?

Fertilizers

What are the effects of eutrophication?

Causes dead zones

What are the consequences of mercury in water?

Can cause serious health issues in the nervous system because of toxicity

What are PFAs/Forever Chemicals?

They do not degrade over time

Why are PFA’s a concern?

Can cause diseases and other health concerns

What amount of water on Earth is in oceans?

97.2%

What amount of water on Earth is ice?

2.15%

What amount of water on Earth is easily accessible?

0.65%

What amount of water on Earth is available for use?

>1%

How are surface water and groundwater related?

Surface water comes from the excess water that can not be infiltrated into groundwater.

What could long term INCREASE precipitation do to an area?

Cause flooding

What could a long term DECREASE in precipitation do to an area? 

Drought

What are some effects of using too much water?

Droughts can happen, which can cause fires to spread if they are sparked

How can an area “run out” of water if water is constantly recycled through the water cycle?

Replenishing water becomes harder because you are using water faster that it can be replaced.

What are some ways you can conserve water?

Use efficient appliances, reuse water when possible, rain barrels, use water when sun is down to prevent evaporation