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Questions and Answers
What is the primary reason water is essential for life?
What is the primary reason water is essential for life?
Which process involves the movement of water through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts?
Which process involves the movement of water through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts?
What is the term for the loss of water from the soil both by evaporation from the soil surface and by transpiration from the leaves of the plants growing on it?
What is the term for the loss of water from the soil both by evaporation from the soil surface and by transpiration from the leaves of the plants growing on it?
What is the process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil?
What is the process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil?
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What is the term for the water that flows over the land surface, including rain, snowmelt, or other sources?
What is the term for the water that flows over the land surface, including rain, snowmelt, or other sources?
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Which phase change occurs when water vapor in the air changes directly to ice?
Which phase change occurs when water vapor in the air changes directly to ice?
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What is the term for the relatively rapid flow of water toward the stream channel that occurs below the surface?
What is the term for the relatively rapid flow of water toward the stream channel that occurs below the surface?
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What is the term for the process by which water moves in the atmosphere and through the force of gravity, water moves on earth?
What is the term for the process by which water moves in the atmosphere and through the force of gravity, water moves on earth?
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What is the primary cause of groundwater depletion?
What is the primary cause of groundwater depletion?
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What is the term for the land area that drains to a point of concern?
What is the term for the land area that drains to a point of concern?
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What is the result of excessive groundwater consumption around a well?
What is the result of excessive groundwater consumption around a well?
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What is the term for water that enters aquifers through areas of soil?
What is the term for water that enters aquifers through areas of soil?
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What is the term for the uppermost border of the aquifer?
What is the term for the uppermost border of the aquifer?
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What is the result of saltwater moving into freshwater aquifers due to excessive consumption?
What is the result of saltwater moving into freshwater aquifers due to excessive consumption?
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What is the term for a type of well that enters a confined aquifer?
What is the term for a type of well that enters a confined aquifer?
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What is the term for water stress that occurs when the demand for water exceeds the supply?
What is the term for water stress that occurs when the demand for water exceeds the supply?
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Study Notes
Water Composition and Properties
- Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen and exists in gaseous, liquid, and solid states.
- It is the most important molecule for life, used by every known living organism.
- Water's properties make it essential for life: • It moves easily through living organisms as a liquid at room temperature. • It is the universal solvent, dissolving most other substances. • It exists naturally in all three phases (solid, liquid, and gas), allowing for easy transportation around the Earth.
Water Cycle (Hydrologic Cycle)
- Water moves through the atmosphere and Earth due to energy from the sun and gravity.
- The water cycle involves: • Evaporation: water changes from liquid to gas or vapor. • Transpiration: water moves through plants and evaporates from aerial parts. • Evapotranspiration: loss of water from soil through evaporation and transpiration. • Precipitation: release of water from clouds in forms like rain, snow, or hail. • Infiltration: water enters the soil from the ground surface. • Percolation: slow movement of water through soil pores or permeable rock. • Runoff: water flows over the land surface. • Interflow: subsurface runoff, the rapid flow of water toward stream channels.
Transformation of Water
- Water undergoes phase transformations: • Liquid to gas (evaporation/evapotranspiration) • Gas to liquid (condensation, e.g., cloud formation) • Gas to solid (deposition, e.g., snow formation) • Solid to liquid (snowmelt)
Groundwater
- Groundwater is water that infiltrates the ground's surface and fills pores and fractures underground.
- Aquifers are sponge-like formations of rock and sand that contain groundwater.
- The water table is the uppermost border of the aquifer.
- Water enters aquifers through recharge zones.
- Confined aquifers are trapped between impermeable rock or clay layers.
- Wells that enter unconfined aquifers are called water table or groundwater wells.
- Wells that enter confined aquifers are called artesian wells.
Surface Waters
- Streams and rivers are fed by runoff from surrounding areas and areas where groundwater flows to the surface.
- Lakes and ponds are standing bodies of surface water fed by rivers, streams, and runoff from precipitation.
- Watersheds are defined as the land area that drains to a point of concern, with drainage due to gravity.
- Watershed boundaries are defined by topographical ridges.
Water Usage
- Residential water use includes all indoor and outdoor uses of drinking quality water at single-family homes.
- Water stress occurs when demand exceeds supply, often in naturally arid ecosystems, heavily populated countries, and areas with intensive agriculture.
- Overconsumption happens when water is consumed faster than it is replenished.
- Groundwater depletion is primarily caused by sustained groundwater pumping.
- Excessive groundwater consumption can lead to: • A cone of depression around a groundwater well. • Saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers. • Subsidence, a compression and sinking of the zone of saturation.
Solutions to Water Depletion
- Addressing water stress requires reducing demand or increasing supply through sustainable solutions.
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Description
Water is a substance composed of hydrogen and oxygen, existing in gaseous, liquid, and solid states. It's essential for life due to its unique properties, making it a universal solvent and allowing it to move easily through living organisms.
