ENVR 150 Course Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a source of turbidity in the Fraser River?

Industrial waste

Fertilizer (correct)

Soil erosion

Urban runoff

Total dissolved solids are typically measured in mg/L.

True

What factor primarily affects the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) in water?

Temperature

A water body's ________ is a measure of the volume of water that moves through a specific point in a stream during a given period of time.

discharge Signup and view all the answers

Match the following water quality indicators with their definitions:

Turbidity = Reduces clarity and affects photosynthetic rates Biochemical Oxygen Demand = Difference between O2 used and incoming O2 Total Dissolved Solids = Measure of all suspended and dissolved solids Dissolved Oxygen = Amount of oxygen available in water Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical range for total dissolved solids (TDS) in water?

50-250 mg/L Signup and view all the answers

What type of system allows both energy and matter to enter and leave?

Open System Signup and view all the answers

Dynamic equilibrium refers to a system in a steady state fluctuating around a specific average.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is a negative feedback loop?

A response that discourages change in a system, allowing the system to correct back to its equilibrium. Signup and view all the answers

_____ is the primary process through which water vapor is transferred from land to atmosphere.

Evapotranspiration Signup and view all the answers

Match the following events with their impact on the environment:

Hurricane Lee 2023 = Category 5 storm impacting tropical oceans BC Wildfires = Destruction of hundreds of structures Arctic Sea Ice Loss = Contribution to rising sea levels Drought in California = Reduction in water supply from glacial melt Signup and view all the answers

Which plant is experiencing drought stress as mentioned?

Western Red Cedar Signup and view all the answers

Closed systems are characterized by constant matter while energy can enter.

True Signup and view all the answers

A system that encourages responses, leading to increased change is known as a _____ feedback loop.

positive Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of global citizens rely on glacial melt water for drinking?

40% Signup and view all the answers

What is the pH value that indicates a neutral solution?

7 Signup and view all the answers

High turbidity indicates clear water.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are the main factors that affect water temperature?

Air temperature, water depth, shade, tributaries, turbidity, and thermal pollution. Signup and view all the answers

The _____ of water is an important indicator of overall water quality.

temperature Signup and view all the answers

Which unit is used to measure turbidity?

Nephelometric Turbidity Units Signup and view all the answers

Name one factor that can negatively impact pH levels in water.

Acid rainfall or algal blooms or discharge from industry or carbonic acid from respiration. Signup and view all the answers

Thermal pollution can lead to an increase in dissolved oxygen levels in water.

False Signup and view all the answers

What impact does a rise in water temperature tend to have on aquatic organisms?

Promotes algal blooms Signup and view all the answers

Match the following water quality indicators with their descriptions:

pH = Relative concentration of H+ and OH- Temperature = Indicator of overall water quality Turbidity = Lack of clarity Dissolved oxygen = Important for aquatic life Signup and view all the answers

Surface water usually has turbidity levels between _____ NTU.

1 and 50 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Course Overview

ENVR 150 course at the School of Environment and Geomatics
Covers topics like Earth as a system, water testing procedures, precision and accuracy
Includes a session on the Global Hydrologic Cycle Model

Hurricane Lee 2023

A Category 5 hurricane in all tropical oceans

BC Wildfires

Significant damage in West Kelowna and McDougall Creek wildfires
West Kelowna wildfire resulted in the loss of 189 structures
McDougall Creek wildfire resulted in the loss of 131 structures

Local Hydrological Cycle

Drought stress observed in Western Red Cedar trees

Water Pathways

Three pathways: fast route, medium route, and slow route
Fast route involves rain, overland flow, stream channel, and flow into the sea
Medium route involves rain, infiltration into soil, throughflow in soil, flow into the sea
Slow route involves rain, infiltration into soil, percolation through rock, flow out of spring, stream channel, and flow into the sea

Predicting Hydrological Cycle

Water Balance Equation is used to predict the hydrological cycle
Developed by Charles Thorthwaite (1899-1963)

Precipitation in North America

Figure 9.6 shows precipitation patterns in North America

Potential Evapotranspiration

Figure 9.8 illustrates potential evapotranspiration

Systems Theory

A system is an ordered, interrelated set of things and their attributes, linked by flows of energy and matter
Systems are distinct from their surrounding environment
Open System: Energy and matter enter and leave the system
Closed System: Energy enters, but matter remains constant

Dynamic Equilibrium

A steady state of a system fluctuates around an average
An example is the ocean's temperature, fluctuating around an average

Negative Feedback Loop

Discourages a response, helping the system correct itself
An example is a thermostat that reduces heat when the temperature reaches a set point

Positive Feedback Loop

Encourages a response, leading the system to continue in the same direction
An example is global warming, where melting ice reduces the reflective surface, leading to further warming

Arctic Sea Ice

NASA Earth Observatory monitors the decline of Arctic sea ice

Lake Powell, California

Drought conditions persisted from 2019 to 2024, as seen in NASA Earth Observatory images

Water Measurements

Distinguishes between lentic (standing water) and lotic (flowing water) systems

Water Temperature

An indicator of overall water quality
Temperatures outside the normal range can harm aquatic organisms
Impacts the hydrological cycle

Factors Affecting Water Temperature and Their Impacts

Air temperature: Higher temperature leads to lower dissolved oxygen and increased metabolic rates
Water depth: Affects plant growth and algal blooms
Shade: Provides protection from direct sunlight, influencing temperature
Tributaries: Can alter temperature, affecting overall water temperature
Turbidity: Affects light penetration and temperature
Thermal pollution: Human activities like industrial discharges can raise water temperature

pH

Measures the relative concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-)
A pH of 7 is neutral, with equal concentrations of both ions
pH scale ranges from 0 (acidic) to 14 (basic)

Factors Affecting pH

Acid rainfall
Algal blooms
Level of hard water minerals
Discharge from industry
Carbonic acid from respiration or decomposition
Oxidation of sulfides (acidic)

Turbidity

Measures the lack of clarity in water
High turbidity indicates cloudy water, while low turbidity indicates clear water
Measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU)
Infrared light scattering off particles in a sample is used for measurement
Surface water typically has 1-50 NTU, while drinking water is 0.5-1 NTU
World Health Organization recommends a maximum of 5 NTU for drinking water

Turbidity Sources and Effects

Soil Erosion: Reduces clarity, making water cloudy
Urban Runoff: Contributes to turbidity, making the water aesthetically displeasing
Industrial Waste: Introduces pollutants, negatively affecting water quality
Abundant Bottom Dwellers: Increase turbidity by stirring up sediment
Organics: Decomposition of organic matter can increase turbidity
Effects: Reduces clarity, diminishes photosynthetic rates, increases water temperature, and impacts spawning habitats

Total Solids

Measure of all suspended, colloidal, and dissolved solids in water
An important indicator of water quality
Measured in mg/L, with typical ranges between 20-500 mg/L
Determined by evaporating water from a sample using a drying oven and weighing the remaining solids

Total Dissolved Solids – Conductivity

Measures the ability of dissolved solids (salts) to conduct an electrical current
Provides insight into the concentration of salts in water
Factors influencing conductivity: hard water ions, fertilizers, urban runoff, salinity, and acid rain
Units: MicroSiemens per centimeter (µs/cm) or (mS/cm) or millimhos per centimeter (mmho/cm)
Typical ranges: 50-250 mg/l

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

Important for aquatic life
Measures the oxygen concentration in water
Factors affecting DO: temperature, aquatic plant populations, decaying organics, turbulence, altitude/pressure, and human activities
Measured in mg/L (quantity of O2 in one liter) or as a percentage
Temperature and air pressure influence DO levels

Dissolved Oxygen Supersaturation

Occurs when dissolved gases, primarily nitrogen, exceed 110% saturation
Can be harmful to aquatic life

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Measures the rate of oxygen consumption by decomposing organic matter
Indicates the amount of oxygen needed to break down organic waste
High BOD (e.g., sewage treatment plant) indicates high levels of organic pollution
Low BOD (e.g., mountain stream) indicates low levels of organic pollution

Macro Benthic Invertebrates

Visible to the naked eye, bottom-dwelling, non-vertebrate organisms
Useful indicators of water health and ecological condition
Variations in population and species can reveal potential pollution or habitat alterations

Discharge

Represents the volume of water flowing through a specific point in a stream at a given time
Important for understanding water flow dynamics and potential flooding risks

Studying That Suits You

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Description

Explore the foundational topics of the ENVR 150 course at the School of Environment and Geomatics. This quiz covers systems on Earth's hydrology, including water testing procedures and models such as the Global Hydrologic Cycle Model. Delve into real-world applications, such as the impact of hurricanes and wildfires on local environments.