Water basics
Define transpiration
The loss of water vapor from plant leaves through stomata.
State the estimated percentage of freshwater on earth.
~2.5%
Define eutrophication
The enrichment of nutrients in water bodies, leading to excessive plant and algae growth.
State a man sector of water use.
Domestic levels, industry, agriculture.
Define BOD
Biochemical oxygen demand, the amount of required oxygen by microorganisms to decompose organic matter in water.
Describe the process of evaporation.
The process of water being heated and then changing into water vapor, rising into the atmosphere.
Describe the global distribution of freshwater.
Most freshwater is stored in glaciers and ice caps, followed by groundwater with very little available in rivers and lakes.
Describe the process of eutrophication
Nutrients enter water > Algae blooms > Algae die > Micro organisms decompose, increasing BOD > Oxygen levels drop > Aquatic life death.
Describe differences in water use (MEDCs vs LEDCs)
MEDCs use more water for industry, urbanization and domestic purposes. While LEDCs mainly use water for agriculture, or irrigation. MEDCs have much more efficient water systems.
Describe how BOD measures water quality.
BOD measures the amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter. Higher BOD indicates more organic pollution and lower water quality as oxygen levels for aquatic life are reduced.
Explain how human activities affect the hydrological cycle.
Humans alter flows and stores through acts such as deforestation (reducing interception), urbanization (increasing runoff), and water extraction methods.
Explain why some reasons may experience physical water scarcity.
Due to reasons such as low rainfall, high evaporation, and limited freshwater systems.
Explain how agriculture contributes to water pollution
Fertilizers and pesticides run off into bodies of water, increasing nutrient levels and causing contamination.
Explain the impact of dams.
Dams can increase water storage and energy production, however they also disrupt ecosystems, sediment flows and displace some local communities.
explain how water pollution affects aquatic ecosystems.
water pollution can reduce oxygen levels, introduced toxic substances, and disrupt food chains. This can lead to death of aquatic organisms loss of biodiversity, an overall ecosystem imbalance.
Distinguish between flows and stores in the water cycle.
Stores are locations where water is held (Oceans or glaciers), while flows are where water is in a state of movement between stores (evaporation, runoff).
Compare and contrast surface water to groundwater.
Surface water is found in rivers, lakes and reservoirs while groundwater is stored in underground aquifers, is less accessible and slower to replenish.
Ompare and contrast organic and inorganic water pollutants.
Organic water pollutants come from living sources (Sewage or manure) and are biodegradable. Often increasing BOD, while inorganic pollutants (Heavy metals or nitrates) are non biodegradable and bio-accumulate in ecosystems and living organisms for long periods of time.
Compare and contrast sustainable and unsustainable water management strategies.
Sustainable strategies team to maintain water availability, long-term by conserving resources, improving efficiency and protecting ecosystems (example, rainwater harvesting or efficient irrigation) Unsustainable strategies over exploit water resources leading to the pollution, pollution, and ecosystem damage (for example, over irrigation or excessive ground water extraction).
Compare and contrast, chemical and biological indicators of water quality.
Chemical indicators measure substances like nitrates and phosphates, heavy metals or pH to assess pollution levels while biological indicators. Use the presence or absence of organisms to show overall ecosystem, health, chemical indicators, give specific pollutant levels and may offer more detailed data towards water pollution management strategies while biological indicator is reflect long-term impacts on aquatic life.
To what extent does urbanization affect the water cycle?
Urbanization has a significant impact by increasing surface runoff, reducing infiltration, and decreasing groundwater recharge, although natural processes still continue to operate.
To what extent is water scarcity caused by humans.
Humans factors like overuse, pollution, and poor management play a major roll, thought physical more uncontrollable factors still contribute significantly (Droughts, climate, geographic location)
To what extent can water pollution be managed.
It can be significantly reduced through measures such as improved sewage treatment, stricter environmental regulations, and sustainable agriculture practices. However it is difficult to completely remove due to diffuse sources such as agricultural runoff, Hugh costs, and the lack of infrastructure in some regions.
To what extent are dams beneficial.
Large scale strategies provide significant benefits, such as reliable water supply, hydroelectric power, and flood control. However, they also cause environmental damage. (Habitat loss disrupted sentiment flow) I am social impacts (displacement of communities). Therefore, they are beneficial in many cases, but their impact mean they are not always the most sustainable solution .
what extent is water treatment sufficient to maintain sustainable water quality.
water treatment is highly effective at improving water quality and making water safe for human use in urban and controlled areas however, it is not sufficient on its own to ensure sustainable water quality because ongoing pollution from agriculture, organization, and domestic waste can contaminate the water again sustainable water quality also requires pollution management ecosystem, protection, and monitoring so treatment is necessary, but not fully sufficient by itself.