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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT a source of turbidity in the Fraser River?
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.
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Match the following water quality indicators with their definitions:
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What is the typical range for total dissolved solids (TDS) in water?
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What type of system allows both energy and matter to enter and leave?
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Dynamic equilibrium refers to a system in a steady state fluctuating around a specific average.
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What is a negative feedback loop?
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_____ is the primary process through which water vapor is transferred from land to atmosphere.
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Match the following events with their impact on the environment:
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Which plant is experiencing drought stress as mentioned?
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Closed systems are characterized by constant matter while energy can enter.
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A system that encourages responses, leading to increased change is known as a _____ feedback loop.
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What percentage of global citizens rely on glacial melt water for drinking?
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What is the pH value that indicates a neutral solution?
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High turbidity indicates clear water.
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What are the main factors that affect water temperature?
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The _____ of water is an important indicator of overall water quality.
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Which unit is used to measure turbidity?
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Name one factor that can negatively impact pH levels in water.
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Thermal pollution can lead to an increase in dissolved oxygen levels in water.
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What impact does a rise in water temperature tend to have on aquatic organisms?
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Match the following water quality indicators with their descriptions:
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Surface water usually has turbidity levels between _____ NTU.
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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
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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.
