Water
Water Cycle
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http://imnh.isu.edu/waterdiscoverybox/SubMenu1/content_cycle_temp.htm
Groundwater Movement
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Groundwater
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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
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Point Source Contamination
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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
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50% of US population uses groundwater for drinking.
Dilution
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How about 1/1,000,000 ?
Parts per zillion
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Federal Water Quality Standards for Ingorganic Materials
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Mercury the beautiful
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Very High density material
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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
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Wetlands are an important natural filter where
plants trap sediment, nutrients, and
pollutants.
Marshes
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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.