This chapter will not be on the test explicitly. However, you should watch the lectures as they
provide valuable background information that you WILL need to know to understand other
content in this course. For example, what elements are essential for life? What does “organic”
mean in a chemistry context?
Chapter 2 - Water: Essential Resource
Make sure you study the water cycle diagram from this Unit.
o Be able to describe the % distribution of ALL water between salty, ocean water
and freshwater. Also, how is freshwater divided up between common “reservoirs”
(atmosphere, soil & aquifers, plants & animals, glaciers and icecaps, surface
water – lakes, rivers and streams).
96.5% ocean
2.5% freshwater
Surface water- lakes reservoirs, rivers/streams/creeks/canals
o How LONG is a water molecule in these different Earth reservoirs (on average –
just know reservoirs with 2 longest and 2 shortest times)?
Groundwater (2 wks- 10,000 yrs) / Oceans (4,000yrs)
Biosphere (1wk) / Atmospheric water ( 1.3 wks)
o Be able to define the following transfer processes for water from on reservoir to
another (also known as “The Water Cycle!”):
Precipitation- condensed water falling as rain, snow, ice
Condensation- water vapor becomes liquid water as air cool
Evaporation- water is purified as water molecules escape liquid water and
resulting water vapor travels to the atmosphere
, Transpiration-release of water vapor from plants
Evapotranspiration- evaporation of water from plants and soil
Runoff- water from precipitation that flows over land surface
Infiltration- water from precipitation that flows percolating/ soaking in
surface
recharge- infiltrating water gets past surface soils and plant root: reaches
water table and aquafier/ water if purified as it travels through porous
material underground, removing biological and chemical contaminants
o Define the following terms that descry nbe where water is stored”
Aquifer –layer of porous material (rock/soil) that store water underground,
sometimes far below surface
Lakes-a low spot where surface runoff accumulates
rivers, streams, canals, -Runoff flwoing on surface
usually from percipitaion
Canals are man made
Wetlands- marshes, bogs, swamps, fens
What regions of the world tend to have the highest and lowest precipitation rates
(compare tropics versus sub-tropics)? How does this impact water distribution, globally?
o 2/3 of global precipitation falls in the tropics
o runoff perception reaching oceans through rivers and streams is much higher in
tropical regions
o The affect of evaporation increase and usage can effect the distribution
What is the difference between consumptive and non-consumptive water withdrawals?
o Consumptive- water is not returned to source but is lost to evaporation or
percolate into ground
o Nonconsumptive- water can be returned to the source, after being cleaned
What are the primary uses for water in the world? (Hint, agriculture, domestic and
industry). Which of these uses the MOST water worldwide? What does the industrial
sector use water FOR, most commonly?
o Globally agriculture is the largest consumer of water
o Industry & domestic usage are the next largest consumers
o Industrial sector freshwater is stored in reservoirs and dams for electrical power
generation and irrigation
Which continent uses the most freshwater?
o Asia & Africa 85-90%
Which water uses consume the most water in the U.S., and how does this vary by region?
o Agriculture
How does domestic (or public) use of water differ in developed countries versus
developing countries?
o People in developed countries consume 10x more water dailiy
o Developed countries- 500-800 liters per day ( 130-210 gallons/day)
o Underdeveloped countries (20-60 gallons per day)
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