Surface Water Resources

Water Resources

Surface Water

• Definition: Water that is visible and accessible on the Earth's surface, such as:
  • Rivers
  • Lakes
  • Reservoirs
  • Wetlands
  • Oceans
• Characteristics:
  • Easily accessible and visible
  • Can be used for various purposes (drinking, irrigation, industry, etc.)
  • Quality can be affected by human activities (pollution, sedimentation, etc.)
• Importance:
  • Supports aquatic life and ecosystems
  • Provides water for human consumption, agriculture, and industry
  • Plays a crucial role in the global water cycle

Ground Water

• Definition: Water that is stored beneath the Earth's surface, such as:
  • Aquifers
  • Underground streams
  • Water tables
• Characteristics:
  • Not easily visible or accessible
  • Can be recharged naturally through precipitation and infiltration
  • Quality is generally better than surface water due to natural filtration
• Importance:
  • Provides a significant portion of the world's freshwater supply
  • Supports agriculture, industry, and domestic use
  • Can be a reliable source of water during times of drought or surface water scarcity

Comparison between Surface Water and Ground Water

• Accessibility: Surface water is more accessible than groundwater
• Quality: Groundwater is generally of better quality than surface water
• Recharge: Groundwater can be recharged naturally, while surface water is more prone to depletion
• Usage: Both are used for various purposes, but groundwater is often used for drinking water and irrigation

Water Resources

Surface Water

• Definition: Water visible and accessible on Earth's surface, including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, wetlands, and oceans.
• Characteristics:
  • Easily accessible and visible
  • Supports various uses, including drinking, irrigation, and industry
  • Quality can be affected by human activities, such as pollution and sedimentation
• Importance:
  • Supports aquatic life and ecosystems
  • Provides water for human consumption, agriculture, and industry
  • Crucial role in the global water cycle

Ground Water

• Definition: Water stored beneath Earth's surface, including aquifers, underground streams, and water tables.
• Characteristics:
  • Not easily visible or accessible
  • Can be recharged naturally through precipitation and infiltration
  • Quality is generally better than surface water due to natural filtration
• Importance:
  • Provides a significant portion of the world's freshwater supply
  • Supports agriculture, industry, and domestic use
  • Reliable source of water during times of drought or surface water scarcity

Comparison between Surface Water and Ground Water

• Accessibility: Surface water is more accessible than groundwater.
• Quality: Groundwater is generally of better quality than surface water.
• Recharge: Groundwater can be recharged naturally, while surface water is more prone to depletion.
• Usage: Both are used for various purposes, but groundwater is often used for drinking water and irrigation.