1. Draw a pie chart that represents the distribution of water on earth.

2. Why is stewardship of our fresh water vital? Write as many reasons as possible

1. 97% salt3% fresh

Majority of fresh water in ice caps& glaciers

Majority of accessible fresh water found in aquifers

2. Limited supply of fresh waterFresh water is not distributed equally on the planet or in the USWater systems are connected, Contaminated water in one area will end up in anotherToxins in fresh water & salt water can accumulate in food & wild life

3. Describe how water moves in and out of an aquifer.

4. How do human activities and climate conditions affect an aquifer?

3. Water moves in through recharge zone into aquiferWater out through wellsGravity moves water through the aquifer toward oceans or other major water source

4.Increasing the withdrawal of water from an aquifer by homes and industry lowers the water table. Without recharge (rain), water supply is depleted.

Extreme drought diminishes recharge and lowers water tablePollution that enters recharge zones (animal waste/farms, landfills, illegal dumping) makes its way to groundwater

Aquifers are large reservoirs of ground water. These can be accessed by wells, some natural springs bring water out of aquifers through the force of gravity. Water in an aquifer is usually cleaner than surface water, b/c it filters through rocks and sand (recharge area) on it’s way to the aquifer. The water table is the top of the water in an aquifer.

Describe how water moves across earth’s surface. Sketching a watershed may help in your description.

A watershed is the large area of land the drains waters into streams, that then feed into larger and larger rivers, until draining into a major river. Watersheds are bordered by divides…high areas of land (mtns) that separate one watershed from anotherhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KCBRPEs4g4

Summary97% of earth’s water is in the oceansOf the remaining 3% fresh water…most

is frozen in glaciers and polar ice capsThe largest % of fresh water is

groundwater… aquifersFresh water moves across earth’s

surface in watersheds/riverbasins

Water Quality IndicatorsThe health of a water system is determined by the balance between physical, chemical, and biological variables.

Physical variables include temperature, turbidity. Chemical variables include dissolved oxygen and other gases, pH, nitrates and phosphates. Both natural and man-made forces are constantly changing these variables.

Biological variables are living organisms.

Describe:a) How each of the following indicators affects water quality. b) What may cause each to reach an unhealthy level?

Temperature

Turbidity

Dissolved Oxygen

pH

Nitrates and Phosphates

Water Quality Indicator NotesTurbidityDescription:Murkiness of water due to suspended particlesLevels:Ideal = 1NTUHigh = 5 NTU+

TurbidityCauses:Erosion from constructionurban run offdisturbance of stream beds from bottom feeders/livestockincreased algal growthseptic system leaksdecaying plant matterflooding

TurbidityResults:Increase temperatureDecrease in DOClogs gills in some aquatic organisms, smothers aquatic plants making photosynthesis difficult

TemperatureDefinition:Amount of kinetic energy

Levels:Low: cannot be tolerated below 320FHigh: only rough fish can tolerate temperatures above 970F

TemperatureCauses:Loss of shade from removal of vegetationThermal Pollution: industry dischargeseasonal temp changes Results:Decreased levels of DOincreased bacterial levelsincreased algae growth

4. Thermal pollution from human activities

Temperature increases from human activities

Photo: Dominion Virginia Power – North Anna Power Station

pHDescription:How acidic is the waterLevels:07 is acidic 7 is neutral714 is basic

Surface Freshwater: 6.0 9.0

pHCause:Acid rainminerals in soils

Results:Death of sensitive bio-indicatorsDeath or damage to plants

What is pH?

0-7 water is acidic

7 water is neutral

7-14 water is basic

What is the optimum freshwater pH?

Rainfall: 5 – 6.5

Most freshwater systems: 7 - 8

Most aquatic organisms: 6.5 – 8.2

Dissolved OxygenDescription:Oxygen gas dissolved in waterO2 enters water through photosynthesis and churning water

Levels:4-5 ppm optimal to support life  

Dissolved OxygenCause:Increased TempDecaying plant material

Effect:Less diversity of bio-indicatorsfish-kills

Nitrates & PhosphatesDescription:Excess nutrients

Level:Nitrates above 1 ppmPhosphates above .003 ppm

Nitrates & PhosphatesCause:Fertilizer run off Animal wasteLeaking septic systemsManure pits (hog farms, etc)Clay soils (phosphates)

Result:Eutrophication – overgrowth of algae (pond scum)Low DO

1995 Lagoon break at Cape Fear

Nitrates & Phosphates

What are bio-indicators and how are they used to determine water quality?

Bio-IndicatorsDescription:Macro-invertebrates living in water that are sensitive to pollution

Healthy Level:Large numbers and diversity

Bio-indicators are living organisms that require specific conditions in order to survive. Their presence in waters, or lack of presence, is an indicator of the health of a water system. They can be used as sentinels of a developing problem

What is eutrophication?

Describe the impact of human activity on eutrophication.

Bio-IndicatorsCause:Increased levels of pollution

Result:Less diversity of organismsFewer organisms

EUTROPHICATION FLOW CHART Excess Nutrients Algal Bloom (pond scum) darkness below surface photosynthesis stops decomposers & other organisms use up oxygen

DEATH (gradual buildup of dying plant matter the pond becomes a meadow)

Identify each of the following as point source or nonpoint source pollution:

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6. Runoff

Stewardship implies that we are caretakers of our water for future generations.

The EPA established the Clean Water Act to ensure oversight and testing of surface waters

Intertidal

Deep ocean

Open oceanNeritic

Ocean regions are determined by temperature and light penetration

Ocean Region Properties Adaptations of species that live there

Intertidal

Neritic

Open Ocean

Deep Ocean

1. IntertidalShallowest areaBetween the low and

high tide linesChanging environment

Buckshot Barnacles

2. Neritic Zone Always underwaterOn continental shelfCoral reef…diversity &

nutrients

Plankton

Phytoplankton =ocean producers

Zooplankton eat phytoplankton

Coral

Sponge with brittle star

Oceanic Zones

Open OceanSurface – 200 metersSunlight, warmLess plentiful nutrients

Deep Zone

- starts at continental slope and extends to 4000 m

- little or no sunlight

- cold 4°C

- very high pressure

Brittle Stars

Coelacanth

Deep Sea Angler

Ogrefish

How does water move through the ocean?

Water moves through the ocean, driven by currents. Surface currents are caused by waves, deep currents are caused by differences in density.

Nutrients move up from the ocean floor through upwelling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APMzM-xYlOs

How do climate patterns affect upwelling?

How do climate patterns affect upwelling?

Change in climate pattern affects ocean surface temperatures. These alter wind patterns which are responsible of the location and strength of upwelling.

Describe the importance of estuaries to the environment.