Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
Introduction
Water is a major factor
in
shaping
our
landscape.
Through
the
processes
of
erosion and sediment
transport, water forms
many surface features
such as valleys, flood
plains,
deltas,
and
beaches. Water also
forms
subsurface
features
such
as
caves.
Natural
wonders such as the
Grand Canyon were,
and are being, carved
by
water.
Streams
from
upland
areas
carried much of the
sand that is located on
ocean beaches Water
is
a
renewable
resource. However, it
is not always available
when or where it
needed, and it may
not be of suitable
quality for intended
uses.
Although
we
commonly take for
granted that clean and
abundant water is as
close as the nearest
faucet,
water
resources
The ocean is the
source of most of the
worlds
precipitation
(rainfall and snowfall),
but
peoples
freshwater needs are
met almost entirely by
precipitation on land
(see Figure 4.1), with a
small
though
increasing amount by
desalination. Due to changes in the state of the ocean, precipitation patterns are
altering, affecting human well-being. Ocean changes are also affecting marine living
The constant movement of water from oceans, to atmosphere, to land surface, and
back to the oceans again is known as the water or hydrologic cycle. To
understand water availability and quality, this cycle must be viewed at several
spatial and temporal scales. Precipitation events that occur over a small area can
cause local flooding, but have minimal effect on the larger watershed. Water can
infiltrate rapidly into sandy soils, or run off rapidly from bare rock. Precipitation is
the source of fresh water virtually everywhere on Earth, but the location, timing,
and amount of precipitation are highly variable. Evaporation and transpiration
return water to the atmosphere and also are highly variable in space and time.
Water that falls to the Earths surface follows one of several paths, it evaporates,
infiltrates into the soil, flows along the soil surface into streams or other water
bodies, or recharges groundwater. Precipitation in the form of snow eventually (after
melting) evaporates, infiltrates into the soil, flows into wate bodies, or recharges
groundwater. While in its solid state, snow can lose water vapor to the atmosphere
through sublimation. The portion of the precipitation that infiltrates into soils and is
not captured by plant roots percolates into (recharges) the groundwater system.
Because of large variations in the distribution of precipitation, evaporation, and
transpiration, much of the water that falls on the Earths surface never reaches the
ocean as stream or groundwater flow. As water moves through the hydrologic cycle,
it comes in contact with natural and human-made materials that change its quality.
Water Cycle Spheres
Hydrosphere - Water moves from the earth to the atmosphere through the
processes of evaporation and transpiration.
Biosphere - Includes all plant and animal life which are consumers of water.
When water boils it turns into water vapor or steam. Water boils at 212F or
100C.
In between the gaseous and solid form, water is in its liquid form.
Water that contains salt is called saline water. Sodium chloride, potassium,
and magnesium can raise the level of salts in the water. The amount of salt in
the water will determine its usefulness. Water that is too high in salt cannot
be used for drinking or irrigation.
Freshwater - Water with less than 3.0 parts per thousand (ppt) of salt. Most
commonly found in drilled wells, streams, and lakes. Only 3 percent of the
water on the earth is considered freshwater, of this 3 percent only 1 percent
is available for use.
Saltwater - Water with 16.5 ppt or more of salt. Some ocean and sea water is
as high as 33 to 37 ppt. Saltwater makes up about 97 percent of the earths
water.
One of the most important parts of the water cycle is the stream.
Streams are flowing bodies of water that are useful resources for irrigation,
factories, and local water systems.
Types of Streams
The four types of streams are rivers, creeks, brooks, and canals.
Stream Hydrology
The physical, chemical, and biological properties of the water and the
surrounding environment are tested.
Stream Structure
Determines how water moves within the stream and through the earth.
A channel is usually formed with rock or soil and it is the sides and bottom of
the stream.
The bottom of the channel is called the stream bed, the sides are called the
stream banks.
When a channel is not large enough to hold the flow of water the area that
overflows is called a flood plain.
Non-Flowing Bodies
Pollution Sources
Non-point sources are diffused across a broad area and their contamination
cannot be traced to a single discharge point.