Chapter 15

How much freshwater is present on Earth?

1%

What types of pollutants enter freshwater?

1.Nutrients from fertilizers, farms, sewage,lawns,golf courses and waste water leads to eutrophication. 2.pathogens and waterborne diseases Inadequately treated human or animal waste (from feedlots)

How many people are without safe water ?

1billion

How many people don't have a basic toilet ?

2billion

How many people are killed from water health impacts ?

5million

How much of Southern California's water supply comes from the Colorado River?

60%

How many other Western states share the colorado river ?

7 states

where is most water on earth located ?

most tied up in glaciers, ice caps, aquifers.

What are water pollutants?

Anything that harms the environment, air, water, ect

How do developed nations like the U.S. treat water for drinking, etc.?

Before water reaches user it is chemically treated, filtered, and disinfected. Waste water is treated before released into the environment.

What problems are associated with bottled water?

Bottle water is no better than tap water. Heavily packaged and travels long distances using fossil fuels. Energy cost are 1,000-2,000 times greater than this of tap water.

What is the Clean Water Act & how has /does it help to protect water supplies from pollution?

Clean water act of 1972 made it illegal to discharge various types of pollutants into water without a permit. Sets standards for industrial waste water, funded sewage treatment plants.

How will climate change affect freshwater supplies?

Climate change will bring water shortages, (especially to areas with high populations & dry conditions) & extremes in storm events

How & why do we desalinate salt water?

Distilling:evaporates and condenses ocean water Reverse osmosis: forces water through membranes to filter out salts. Process remove salt from water

What are the problems & obstacles to greater use of desalination of seawater?

Expensive, require fossils fuels, kills aquatic life, produces salty waste.

what are the sources of the pollutants?

Farms, facilities, cities, construction, ect

What are the alternatives to drinking bottled water?

Filter pitchers, sink filtration systems, use BPA free bottle on the go. Removes chlorine and contaminants.

what are the differences between point & non-point source pollutants?

Point: traceable sources: facilities, sewer, pipes, oil spills Non-point: many diffuse sources: runoff from neighborhoods, farms, city streets, construction, farms. (main cause) of pollution.

how do pollutants impact the environment, wildlife, & human health?

Poisons animals and plants, alters aquatic ecosystems, damage human health

How can we make desalination sustainable?

Power by renewable energy, salts collected and recycled, minimize marine species impacts at intake.

How do we treat & process the wastewater from our homes, businesses, etc.?

Primary treatment: physically removes contaminants in settling tanks Secondary: water is stirred and aerated Water treated with chlorine, ultraviolet light, ammonia and piped in rivers or ocean.

What do we do with the sludge & treated wastewater?

Pump into our aquifers and recycle water for irrigation, lawns ect

How can we reduce our use of freshwater & eliminate waste of freshwater supplies?

Rainwater harvesting, recycle waste water, fix leaks, instal low-flow faucets, shower heads, washing ,machines and toilets. Water gardens at night.

Why is groundwater so important?

Water beneath surface held in pores in soil or rock = 20% of the Earth's freshwater supply

Why are wetlands so valuable, but what has happened to most of them ?

They slow runoff, reduce flooding, recharge aquifers, & filter pollutants. people have drained wetlands for agriculture.

recharge zones?

area where water infiltrates Earth's surface & reaches aquifers

What are the different kinds of freshwater wetlands & how do they differ?

lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, bogs and vernal pools.

What is an aquifer?

porous, sponge-like formations of rock, sand, or gravel that hold water

Why do humans build dams on rivers?

provides flood control and electricity.