Water Cycle and Civil Engineering Module 4

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Questions and Answers

What is the process of converting liquid water from surface sources to gaseous water called?

Evaporation (correct)

Evapotranspiration

Transpiration

Infiltration

Which of the following describes the fraction of precipitation that seeps into the ground?

Infiltration (correct)

Evaporation

Evapotranspiration

Transpiration

What type of water use allows for reuse in homes and businesses without additional treatment?

Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) (correct)

Consumptive Water

Indirect Potable Reuse (IPR)

Non-consumptive Water

Which groundwater contamination source is NOT mentioned as a potential risk?

Mining Operations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following cities relies 90% on Lake Mead for its water supply?

Las Vegas Signup and view all the answers

What technique is used to manage vegetation in Las Vegas to conserve water?

Irrigation incentives Signup and view all the answers

How much water does Los Angeles partially treat for indirect potable reuse each day?

130 million gallons Signup and view all the answers

What major infrastructure did San Diego build to control water flow?

Impervious concrete canals Signup and view all the answers

What is one way engineers are trying to make cities more sustainable?

By increasing the area for greenery Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a crucial aspect of ensuring clean water and sanitation?

Having access to clean water and proper sanitation practices Signup and view all the answers

What does the goal of 'No Poverty' emphasize?

Addressing the needs of vulnerable communities with limited services Signup and view all the answers

What is the aim of the project MyBrick?

To merge insulation and concrete exterior into one block Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between single-use and multi-use zoning?

Multi-use zoning allows for diverse land activities, while single-use zoning focuses on one type Signup and view all the answers

How does multi-use zoning impact urban development?

It supports higher-density development and efficient land use Signup and view all the answers

What environmental issue arises from certain zoning practices, particularly single-use zoning?

Urban sprawl Signup and view all the answers

What was a focus of the presentation on sustainable cities?

Reduction of carbon emissions from industries Signup and view all the answers

What are PFAs, and why are they referred to as 'forever chemicals'?

They do not break down naturally. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the major health effects associated with PFAs accumulation in the body?

Developmental issues. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following pollutants can also cause problems similar to PFAs?

Micro and nano plastics. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the outcomes of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico after Hurricane Ida?

There were multiple owners of the leaking pipes. Signup and view all the answers

What was found in the 'soil conditioner' sold to farmers by AltEn?

High concentrations of pesticides. Signup and view all the answers

What environmental disaster involved the failure of levees and overtopping of farms?

Hurricane Florence. Signup and view all the answers

What safety advisory was issued due to the conditions after the Tubbs Fire?

Do-not-drink advisory. Signup and view all the answers

What caused the Pearl River flooding in Jackson, MS, in August 2022?

Severe storms. Signup and view all the answers

How do renewable resources differ from non-renewable resources?

Renewable resources replenish naturally. Signup and view all the answers

What issue was caused by aging infrastructure in drinking water systems?

Old pipes leaching contaminants. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main challenges for agricultural use of water in New Mexico?

Limited access due to its position in the basin Signup and view all the answers

Which equation is used to analyze water budgets?

P = R + I + E + T + S + C Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant impact of synthetic fertilizers on the nitrogen cycle?

Increased emissions of greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of excess nitrogen in the environment?

Improved soil fertility Signup and view all the answers

How do PFAS primarily contaminate water sources?

Via industrial discharges and firefighting foams Signup and view all the answers

What unique characteristic do PFAS chemicals possess?

They have strong carbon-fluorine bonds leading to persistence Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential health impact of PFAS contamination in water?

Blue Baby Syndrome Signup and view all the answers

What role does evaporation play in the water budget equation?

It contributes to total water consumption Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the municipal water treatment process?

Intake and Screening Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment method is most effective for removing PFAS from water?

Reverse osmosis Signup and view all the answers

What health risks are linked to PFAS contamination?

Reproductive and developmental issues Signup and view all the answers

What is a commonly used method for disinfecting water during treatment?

Chlorine treatment Signup and view all the answers

How are microplastics typically treated in water?

Fine filtration Signup and view all the answers

What innovative use for decommissioned wind turbine blades was presented in Yulizza Henao's lecture?

Repurposing as high-voltage transmission poles Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of adding chemicals during the coagulation and flocculation stage of water treatment?

To bind with suspended particles Signup and view all the answers

What is a major challenge in treating PFAS contamination in water?

Resistance to conventional treatment methods Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of establishing a functional unit in Life Cycle Analysis?

To establish a basis for comparison of products or processes Signup and view all the answers

Which LCA approach tracks the process from raw materials extraction to product disposal?

Cradle to Grave Signup and view all the answers

In the context of ethical frameworks, which principle focuses on maximizing good for the greatest number of people?

Utilitarianism Signup and view all the answers

What aspect is specifically excluded from the scope of an LCA assessment?

Post-purchase impacts Signup and view all the answers

What does the Cradle to Cradle approach emphasize in product design?

Complete recycling and reuse of materials at life's end Signup and view all the answers

Which element is NOT a requirement of the ASCE Code of Ethics?

Advocating government legislation Signup and view all the answers

Calculating Global Warming Potential (GWP) involves which of the following steps?

Multiplying quantity by GWP at a given year Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical framework emphasizes intrinsic value in all living beings?

Deep Ecology Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Module 4: Day 19 Lecture

Biochemical cycle: Describes the amount of material stored, produced, or consumed within a repository (atmosphere, geology, ocean water, dead organic matter, living organisms).
Water cycle:
- Evaporation: Liquid water changing to gaseous water.
- Transpiration: Water moving from living plant tissue (mostly leaves) to the atmosphere.
- Evapotranspiration: Combining evaporation and transpiration.
- Infiltration: Precipitation soaking into the ground.
- Residence Time: (Insert calculations)
Civil Engineers’ Role in Water Management:
- Clean Drinking Water: Providing clean drinking water.
- Wastewater Treatment: Treating wastewater.
- Hydropower: Generating power from water.
- Irrigation Techniques: Improving irrigation methods.
- Transportation: Protecting wetlands and habitats.
- Recreation: Maintaining recreational areas.
- Groundwater contamination prevention: Protecting groundwater from various sources (landfills, pesticides, septic tanks)
Water Terms:
- Non-consumptive Water: Water that can be captured after use and treated.
- Wastewater: From homes and industries.
- Consumptive Water: Water that cannot be captured after use (e.g., irrigation, hydropower).
- Indirect Potable Reuse (IPR): Treating non-consumptive water for reuse in lakes/aquifers.
- Direct Potable Reuse (DPR): Treating and using non-consumptive water directly for drinking.

Examples of Water Issues in Specific Cities

Las Vegas: 90% of water from Lake Mead and 10% from groundwater. Non-consumptive water use redirected to watering public and golf courses with a incentive for replacing lawns/limiting pool size. Allowance of water withdrawn back to lake mead equal to amount used.
Los Angeles: Irrigation of home landscaping, (incentive of $3 per square foot to remove existing lawn and limits pool size to 600 square feet), and indirect potable reuse to aquifers.
San Diego: Water supplied by Los Angeles water district and desalination providing 25 billion gallons of water from farmers' supply. Also, imperial valley farmers.
Other Examples: Research pertaining to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) management/contamination discussion and specific soil types for different weather conditions; Groundwater and runoff PFAS; methods for clean up of these contaminants.

Module 5: Day 21 Lecture

PFAS (Forever Chemicals):
- Don't break down naturally, causing health problems. Found in various products (carpet, non-stick cookware, food packaging).
- Contaminate water (soil then leaching into the ground water and surface waters) higher than anticipated in the US.
PFAS health impacts:
- Accumulate in the body.
- Impact reproductive and developmental health.
- Liver and kidney issues.
- Increased cholesterol.
General Water Pollutants: Included in this section are microplastics, oil spills, ethanol from seeds/plants, and aging infrastructure.

Module 5: Day 21 continued, Water Stratification and Climate Change

Oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico (2021): A discussion about the responsibility of companies in cleanup efforts after Hurricane Ida.
Ethanol plant in Nebraska: Excess production of ethanol creates hazardous waste used as soil conditioners which includes pesticides for agriculture. This also has links to groundwater contamination.
Water Contamination Summary: Discussions of historical oil spills, and the use of pesticides and insecticides on agricultural products to produce biofuels (like ethanol).

Module 5: Day 21 continued, More on Water Pollution and Other Topics

Hurricane Florence (2018): North Carolina experienced extreme rainfall resulting in flooding and damage to agriculture. Many failed levees.
Tubbs Fire (2017): Discussion of how the Tubbs fire melted the underground water infrastructure, releasing harmful volatile organic compounds. Also, discussion about the length of time this unsafe water was supplied(11 Months). The camp fire of 2018 included similar effects.
Flint, Michigan: Lead contamination in water supply due to a change in water source (Flint River, instead of Detroit's water source). Discussion of what caused the contamination.
Baltimore, Maryland: Water quality issues in Baltimore.

Module 5: Day 22 Lecture

Waste Management:
- Discuss topics on waste, including fashion waste, water contamination and landfills/waste disposal, and the modern engineered landfill and monitoring systems used.
- Specific examples (e.g. Love Canal).

Module 6 - Measuring Sustainability

Life Cycle Analysis (LCA):
- Functional Unit: A measurable unit (e.g., 1 kg of protein).
- Goal: To identify the most sustainable option.
- Scope: The stages of a product/system's life (from raw materials to disposal).
Cradle (Raw Materials) to Grave (Disposal examples):
- Raw materials extraction -> finished goods.
- Raw materials extraction -> single processing step-> another.
- Raw materials extraction -> complete recycling/reuse at end of life; The entire processes of a system from the beginning to the end including emissions, impacts, use and disposal.

Module 6 - Examples of Environmental Ethics and Ethical Frameworks for Sustainability

Evaluating a Sustainability Decision: Using ethical frameworks such as utilitarianism (most good for people), deontological (right or wrong decisions), ASCE Code of Ethics, and Deep Ecology.
Human Development Index: Calculations regarding longevity, education, and standard of living, and analysis of the Human Development Index.

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Description

Explore the intricate details of the water cycle including evaporation, transpiration, and infiltration. Learn about the vital role civil engineers play in water management, from providing clean drinking water to wastewater treatment and irrigation techniques.