Section 4.2-The Hydrosphere

Big Idea: Water shows itself in many different forms.

Get out a piece of paper for 4.2 notes and write the Big Idea below.

Water on Earth

• 97% salty, 2% frozen fresh, 1% usable• Desalination-process used to remove salt from

fresh water• Amount of water never changes• Hydrologic Cycle-Water Cycle...Pg. 70

What are the forces that drive the hydrologic cycle and how does each force drive the cycle?

• Floods- Too much water and no where for it to go

Levees: man-made structures of dirt, rock and concrete

Levees are designed to protect habitat

Levees cause problems for civilians downstream

• Headwaters-tributaries-watershed (drainage basin)• Estuaries-form when river meets an inlet, or small arm,

of the sea… fresh and saltwater mix• Wetlands-any landscape that is covered with water for

at least part of the year– Many have been drained for farming and building

(Everglades)

• Groundwater- Water found below ground• Water table -area where ground underneath is completely

saturated-fluctuates based on amount of rain or well usage.

• Lowering of table could lead to settling, slumping or cracking.