Water
Water Cycle
QuickTime™ an d a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are need ed to see this p icture .
http://imnh.isu.edu/waterdiscoverybox/SubMenu1/content_cycle_temp.htm
Groundwater Movement
QuickTime™ and a TIFF (LZW) decomp resso r are neede d to see this picture.
Groundwater
QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompre ssor are neede d to see this picture.
Groundwater
• Ground water is found under the Earth's surface within the Zone of Saturation made a layer of porous fractured rock, sands, and gravels that become saturated with water. The upper layer of the zone is also called the water table. • Within the zone of saturation is an area where water can be delivered to the surface. This area is called an aquifer. Ground water is held in these aquifers which become so saturated that the water can be pumped out onto the surface. • Ground water is a result of precipitation. • Earth has forty times more water underground than is found in lakes, rivers, and streams.
Groundwater
Major groundwater systems develop very slowly
Recharge area - where water is added to the aquifer
They are in a very delicate balance relative to use vs. recharge In many areas, groundwater can be considered a non-renewable resource This is especially true of deep aquifers and arid environments
Porosity and Permeability
• Porosity is how much space is available between the fractured rocks and soil where water might saturate the area. For example loosely packed soil can hold more water than tightly packed soil. • Permeability is how well water flows through the rock and soil. Ground water is primarily replenished by precipitation. In areas where too much real estate development occurs, it would be impossible to replenish because the soils are covered with concrete and asphalt.
• A spring can occur when ground water seeps out of the ground and becomes surface water.
Water Movement through Material
QuickTime™ an d a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are need ed to see this p icture.
Point Source Contamination
QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Un compressed) decompressor are neede d to se e this picture.
Point Sources of contamination
http://www.ec.gc.ca/water/en/nature/grdwtr/e_source.htm#point
Leaky tanks or pipelines containing petroleum products Leaks or spills of industrial chemicals at manufacturing facilities Underground injection wells (industrial waste) Municipal landfills, Leaky sewer lines Wells for disposal of liquid wastes Runoff of salt and other chemicals from roads and highways (really a line source rather than a point source) Spills related to highway or railway accidents
Groundwater Contaminants
QuickTime™ and a TIFF (LZW) decompressor are needed to see this picture.
50% of US population uses groundwater for drinking.
QuickTime™ and a TIFF (LZW) decomp resso r are need ed to see this picture.
Dilution
How about 1/1,000,000 ?
Parts per zillion
QuickTime™ and a TIFF (LZW) decomp resso r are need ed to see this picture.
Federal Water Quality Standards for Ingorganic Materials
QuickTime™ and a QuickTime™ an d a TIFF (LZW) decomp resso r TIFF (LZW) decomp resso r are neede d to see this picture.. are need ed to see this picture
Mercury the beautiful
QuickTime™ an d a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are need ed to see this p icture .
QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are neede d to see this picture.
Very High density material
QuickTime™ an d a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor are need ed to see this picture.
Mercury in Fish and Shellfish
Mercury is a highly poisonous heavy metal that poses a serious health risk to developing fetuses, babies and children, who may suffer brain damage and learning disabilities from prolonged or repeated exposure to small amounts of mercury.
Mercury Pollution http://www.oceansalive.org/eat.cfm?subnav=mercury
• Mercury enters streams, rivers, lakes and oceans primarily through rain and surface water runoff. • Bacteria can then convert it to an organic form called methylmercury • Biomagnification - 1 to 10 million times the mercury concentration in the water.
Wetlands
QuickTime™ and a TIFF (LZW) decompressor are neede d to see this picture.
Wetlands are an important natural filter where plants trap sediment, nutrients, and pollutants.
Marshes
QuickTime™ and a TIFF (Un compressed) decompressor are neede d to se e this picture.
Freshwater wetlands, such as swamps and marshes, are a natural sponge helping to reduce downstream flooding. Water stored in the wetland is slowly released downstream following a flood.