water resources

• What percentage of the Earth's surface is covered by water?

  71%
• What percentage of water on Earth is salty?

  97.5%
• What percentage of water on Earth is freshwater?

  1. 2.5%
• How is water described in terms of its physical properties?

  Water is a colorless, transparent, odorless liquid.
• In what three states does water exist?

  Solid, liquid, and gas.
• What is the hydrologic or water cycle?

  It is the continuous circulation of water within the Earth's hydrosphere driven by solar radiation.
• What are the stages of the water cycle?

  1. Evaporation
  2. Transpiration
  3. Sublimation
  4. Condensation
  5. Precipitation
  6. Runoff
  7. Infiltration
• What happens during the evaporation stage of the water cycle?

  Water at the surface turns into water vapors by absorbing heat energy from the sun.
• What is transpiration in the water cycle?

  It is the process where liquid water is turned into water vapor by plants through stomata.
• What is sublimation in the context of the water cycle?

  Sublimation is the process where ice directly converts into water vapors without becoming liquid water.
• What occurs during the condensation stage of the water cycle?

  Water vapors change into tiny particles of ice or water droplets due to low temperature at high altitudes.
• What is precipitation in the water cycle?

  Precipitation occurs when clouds pour down water as rain, snow, hail, drizzle, or sleet due to temperature changes.
• What is runoff in the water cycle?

  Runoff is the process where water runs over the surface of the Earth, displacing topsoil and moving minerals along with it.
• What is infiltration in the water cycle?

  Infiltration is the process where water moves deep into the soil, increasing the groundwater table.
• What are water resources?

  Water resources are water that is useful or potentially useful to society for agricultural, industrial, or recreational use.
• What is surface water?

  Surface water is any body of water found on the Earth’s surface, including saltwater and freshwater.
• Can you name the five world oceans?

  Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, Southern.
• Which ocean is the largest and contains 48% of the world’s seawater?

  The Pacific Ocean.
• What is unique about the Atlantic Ocean?

  It is the second largest ocean and contains 23% of the world’s seawater.
• What is the Indian Ocean known for?

  It is the warmest ocean and contains 40% of the world’s oil production.
• What characterizes the Arctic Ocean?

  It is the smallest ocean, located near the North Pole, and is covered by drifting ice.
• What is notable about the Southern Ocean?

  It is the newest ocean, recognized in 2000, located at the 60° S Latitude near the South Pole.
• What are the components of a watershed?

  • Headwater
  • Watershed divide
  • Tributaries
  • Low point
• What are the benefits of watersheds?

  Watersheds supply drinking water, provide recreation, sustain life, and maintain different habitats.
• What is groundwater?

  Groundwater is the water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand, and rock.
• What is the zone of saturation?

  The zone of saturation is the lower soil layers where all spaces are filled with water.
• What is the water table?

  The water table is the top of the zone of saturation.
• What are aquifers?

  Aquifers are porous layers of sand, gravel, or rock lying below the water table that store water underground.
• What are the uses of water?

  • Domestic purposes
  • Agricultural uses
  • Industrial use
  • Environmental uses
• What are the water resource problems?

  • Too much water
  • Too little water
  • Poor-quality water
• What is the impact of human activities on surface runoff?

  Human activities have increased stormwater runoff from 10% to 55% since 1970.
• What are the components of stormwater runoff that contribute to nonpoint source pollution?

  Stormwater runoff contains nutrients, metals, suspended solids, pesticides, hydrocarbons, and microorganisms.
• What causes flooding?

  Flooding is caused by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, removal of vegetation, and destruction of wetlands.
• What are floodplains and their benefits?

  Floodplains provide natural flood and erosion control, maintain high water quality, and recharge groundwater.
• What is the greatest use of water in agriculture?

  Irrigation is the greatest use of water, accounting for 71% of water use.
• What is eutrophication?

  Eutrophication is the buildup of nutrients in a body of water, which can be caused by human activities.
• What happens when oxygen is depleted in water?

  Aerobic organisms die, and anaerobic organisms grow, producing harmful toxins.
• What is the impact of oil spills on wildlife?

  Oil spills can cause death to fish and affect seabirds by coating their feathers.
• What are the goals of water management?

  • Sustainable supply of high-quality water
  • Building dams
  • Diversion
  • Desalination
• What are some solutions for water conservation in agriculture?

  • Drip irrigation
  • Reduces water use by 40-60%