Water Cycle
This part of the water cycle is when water vapor turns into a liquid and creates clouds in the sky.
condensation
An underground layer of rock that is permeable to water is called a ______?
aquifer
This process in the water treatment kills germs, parasites, and viruses.
disinfection
An area where plant roots are submerged under water for most of the year is considered a _________?
Bonus!- Name 4 types of these ecosystems.
estuary, marsh, bog, swamp, mangrove forest, etc.
Provide an example of NON-POINT source pollution.
acid rain, runoff, etc.
When precipitation hits the ground it does one of two things..... it either runs off over the surface or _______ into the ground.
infiltrates
There are 3 main consequences to overusing aquifers. Name all three of them.
subsidence, sinkholes, saltwater intrusion
List the 3 main components to a septic system
Bonus!!: What does each component do?
Septic Tank- Separates water from sludge
Distribution Box- Distributes water from tank'
Leach Field- Water infiltrates back into the ground
Name ONE major cause of flooding.
snow melt in the spring, heavy rains, etc.
This giant garbage patch grows by millions of tons each year thanks to humans polluting the oceans with plastic.
Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The water table separates which two zones?
zone of aeration & zone of saturation
A layer of impermeable rock that water cannot flow through is referred to as _____.
aquitard
There are 4 main steps to municipal sewage water treatment: What is removed during each step?
Primary: Solids
Secondary: Organics
Tertiary: Nutrients
Disinfection: Bacteria/Viruses
Rivers meander back and forth, which creates unique erosion and depositional features. In a meandering river, where will erosion occur?
In North Carolina, hog farms are a huge source of water pollution. When nutrients from hog feces enters a water source, it can cause ________ to occur, which ends in the death of all fish/plant life.
eutrophication
A _____ well extends past an aquitard, into a confined aquifer. Some of the purest cleanest water on Earth is found here.
artesian well
It can take decades & centuries for aquifers to recharge all its water. Due to human urbanization and increased ______ this process has been slowed even further.
runoff
Unfortunately, polluted water can enter into unprotected water sources. To protect our water sources humans turn to mother nature and natural _____ ________ to protect our water.
riparian buffers
Wetlands are crucial ecosystems to many species, including some endangered ones. But wetlands are also beneficial to humans. What impact will humans feel if wetlands are depleted?
increased pollution in freshwater systems.
East of Charlotte is the Uwharrie Mountains that act as a ______. Water East of the Uwharrie's flows to the Yadkin-Pee Dee river and water west of the Uwharrie's flows to the Catawba river.
Divide
The water table can ebb and flow during dry and wet seasons. Sometimes the water table and the surface will intersect causing these to occur.
natural springs
A side effect of mining, coal burning, and smelting is the release of this natural element. When ingested it can cause neurological shutdown and is considered extremely poisonous to humans. It is crucial we keep our aquifers clear of this element.
arsenic
Rachael Carson wrote a book called Silent Spring, detailing the effects of water pollution and the need to keep our waters clean. She took her findings to Congress and convinced them to pass this law protecting our water systems.
1972 Clean Water Act
There can be many rivers, streams, and creeks in a watershed, but they all must flow to single point, usually a major river. In the Catawba Watershed where we live, Briar Creek and Sugar Creek are ________ for the Catawba River.
tributaries
The Florida Everglades is home to many endangered species, such as the Florida panther and manatee. It is also home to migratory birds who come from all over the world to nest. Which famous conservationist is credited with advocating for the Everglades, and convincing President Nixon to use the federal government to protect the Everglades?
Marjory Stoneman Douglas