Water Use

What is the hydrologic cycle?The water cycle

PrecipitationEvaporationtranspiration

What is ground water?Groundwater is water that is below the

water table (level where the ground is saturated).Aquifer= zone where groundwater can be obtained

from

What is surface water?Surface water is water found above the water

table/at the surface of the earth.

Why do we have groundwater use problems?½ the people in the US use ground water as a primary

source of drinking water, sometimes at a rate of overdraft. Amount of water withdrawn is greater than inflow into the

well.

What is the difference between in-stream and off stream use? Off stream use = water removed

from its source for use Some water is returned to the

source (i.e. industrial cooling water)

Consumptive use = water taken in (not returned to source) by humans, plants or animals

In stream use = the use of water NOT removed from its source/ in rivers, dams, fish and wildlife habitats…etc.

How can we conserve water through agricultural use? Agriculture accounts for 65% of total freshwater with-

drawls of water between 1950-2005.(in reading)

How can we reduce our public supply and domestic use (at home)? Think ecological footprint (in reading)

Water Use 2

What is water pollution? The degradation of water quality, so that it harms living

organisms or is not fit for human use.

What is Biochemical oxygen demand?The amount of oxygen required for biochemical decomposition processes. When BOD increases, dissolved oxygen decreases

What is water borne disease and how is it most commonly detected?Illness caused by bacteria or viruses in the

water, whose symptom vary from a stomach ache to death.

How do we monitor disease carrying organisms?

Fecal coliform

What nutrients most commonly cause water pollution?

Nitrogen and phosphorus

What is Eutrophication?The process by which a body of water develops a high

concentration of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus (in the forms of nitrates and phosphates).

What are the effects of Eutrophication? 1. Increased aquatic plant and algae growth

2. Blockage of sunlight by algae

3. plants and good bacteria die, and start to decompose

4. Decomposition increases BOD as the number of decomposers increase

5. Dissolved oxygen decreases

6. Fish die/ecosystem starts falling apart

What is cultural Eutrophication?

Eutrophication accelerated by humansUrban = sewage Rural = agricultural run off

What are some causes of water pollution?Oil

Sediment

Acid mine drainage

Agricultural Run off