Comprehensive Water Cycle & Pollution Analysis PDF

Comprehensive Water Cycle and Pollution Analysis 1. Draw the global hydrologic cycle. The global hydrologic cycle describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface. It involves processes like evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff. (S...

Comprehensive Water Cycle and Pollution Analysis 1. Draw the global hydrologic cycle. The global hydrologic cycle describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface. It involves processes like evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff. (See attached diagram for visualization). 2. List the major watersheds in Canada. - Pacific Ocean Watershed - Arctic Ocean Watershed - Hudson Bay Watershed - Atlantic Ocean Watershed - Gulf of Mexico Watershed 3. Explain the impact on the water cycle of urbanization. Urbanization significantly alters the water cycle by: - Increasing runoff due to impermeable surfaces (e.g., asphalt). - Reducing groundwater recharge. - Polluting waterways with urban contaminants. - Altering hydrology and reducing wetland areas. (See attached schematic). 4. What is salinization? What causes it? Salinization is the accumulation of salts in soil, reducing its fertility. It is caused by: - Irrigation in arid regions where water evaporation leaves behind salts. - Poor drainage leading to waterlogging. - Overuse of saline groundwater. 5. What are the main water pollution categories? The main categories are: - Sediment pollution - Nutrient pollution - Organic pollution - Pathogens - Thermal pollution - Radioactive substances - Heavy metals - Oil spills 6. What is BOD? Why is it important? BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) measures the oxygen needed by microorganisms to break down organic matter in water. It is important because high BOD levels indicate pollution, which reduces oxygen availability for aquatic life. 7. What is nitrification? What is denitrification? - Nitrification: The conversion of ammonia into nitrites and nitrates by bacteria, consuming oxygen. - Denitrification: The conversion of nitrates into nitrogen gas by bacteria under anaerobic conditions. 8. What is non-point source pollution? How about point source pollution? Give examples. - Non-point source pollution: Diffuse pollution over a large area (e.g., agricultural runoff). - Point source pollution: Pollution from a specific source (e.g., factory discharge). 9. How to estimate the impact of snow dump site meltwater runoff to a river? Steps: 1. Identify contaminant concentration and flow rates for the river and the dump site. 2. Use the formula: Downstream concentration = [(Criver * Qriver) + (Cdump * Qdump)] / (Qriver + Qdump) 10. What are confined and unconfined aquifers? - Confined aquifers: Enclosed by impermeable layers, recharged remotely. - Unconfined aquifers: Directly connected to the surface, recharged locally. 11. Globally, what are the major water-consuming sectors? - Agriculture: 70% - Industry: 20% - Domestic use: 10% 12. How is drinking water treated for potable use? Drinking water treatment steps: 1. Coagulation and flocculation 2. Sedimentation 3. Filtration 4. Disinfection (e.g., chlorination or UV). 13. How is domestic wastewater treated for safe discharge? Wastewater treatment steps: 1. Primary treatment: Physical debris removal. 2. Secondary treatment: Decomposition of organics by bacteria. 3. Advanced treatment: Nutrient removal. 4. Sludge management. 14. What are the major ocean environmental challenges? What causes them? - Plastic pollution: Improper waste disposal. - Overfishing: Unsustainable practices. - Oil spills: Transportation and drilling accidents. - Climate change: Greenhouse gas emissions causing acidification and rising sea levels. - Dead zones: Nutrient runoff causing eutrophication.