Water Resources

Where does freshwater come from?

 What is the
difference
between
Freshwater and
Saltwater?
Where does your
drinking water come
from?
Drinking water

Groundwater aquifer via a well

Surface water such as a lake or reservoir
Desalinization plant if you live at the beach
Drinking Water Treatment System

1. Remove small and large

sediments from water
2. Water forced through filters to
remove smallest particles
3. Removal of biological
contaminants
Aquifers Groundwater
key words: Recharge area, discharge area, Water table,
wells, confining bed
Pollution of Aquifers
Agriculture: nitrates and pesticides

Septic systems: nitrates, bacteria

Gas stations/fuel tanks: gasoline, diesel, and other petroleum

products

Dry cleaners/industrial operations: degreasers, chlorinated solvents,

hazardous waste, and heavy metals

Landfills: large variety of contaminants

Salt water intrusion

Saltwater intrusion is the movement of saline water into freshwater aquifers,

which can lead to contamination of drinking water sources and other
consequences.
Saltwater intrusion occurs naturally to some degree in
most coastal aquifers, owing to the hydraulic connection
between groundwater and seawater.
NC Aquifers are affected by Salt Water
Intrusion
What is water pollution?

Water pollution is
the addition of
harmful chemicals
to natural water.
What are some sources of water
pollution?
Sources of water pollution in the
US include
industrial waste
run-off from fields treated with
chemical fertilizers
run-off from areas that have been
mined
What is point source pollution?

Point Source Pollution -

contamination that enters the
environment through a specific
traceable means
Ex. Sewage plant pipe, Coal ash
ponds
What is non-point source pollution?

Non-Point Source Pollution - does not have a specific point of origin.

Results from land runoff, precipitation, atmospheric deposition, drainage
or seepage.
Non-point source examples

Stormwater runoff
Arsenic from mining
Sediment from land runoff

Runoff any water that does not

infiltrate into the ground
Wastewater Treatment Systems

The major aim of

wastewater
treatment is to
remove suspended
solids before the
remaining water is
discharged back to
the environment.
Treatment facilities
are unable to filter
out all contaminants.
 How do pollutants move through the
water supply?
Pollutants move through a water supply along with the water!
As water moves towards the ocean, pollutants build up and
can become more concentrated.
 Population Effects on Water Quality

As populations grow rapidly, health

standards find it difficult to keep up.
This leads to an increase in water
borne illnesses as pollutants build up.
Population Effects on Water Quantity

Methods of Conservation:
Communities across the
1. Water barrels
country are starting to
face challenges in 2. Turning off the faucet
maintaining healthy and 3. Shorter showers
affordable water
supplies 4. Water rations
5. Watering plants at night or early
An increase in
morning
population size means
there is less water per
person
How to reduce Point and Non Point
Pollution
Use fertilizer and pesticide according to package directions
Have septic systems inspected every 2-3 years.
Conserve sprinkler water
Never dump anything down a storm drain.
Pick up after your pets. Pet waste left on the ground can spread E. coli,
roundworms and Salmonella.
Streams and Rivers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=99&v=TxI9gTvNY0M

Does the geology shape the river's path or does the river's path shape the
geology? Explain.
Where is water speed and weight the greatest? What happens there?
Where is the water speed the slowest? What happens there?
What shape is created by this fast moving water?
 Streams and Rivers
Term Definition
base level Where a stream meets a large body of standing water, usually the ocean.
confluence Where two streams join together.
continental divide A divide that separates water that goes to different oceans.
divide A ridge that separates one water basin from another.

Where a stream meets a lake or, more usually, an ocean. The mixture of fresh and salt water
estuary
attracts a large number of species and so estuaries have high biodiversity.

headwaters The location where a stream forms, often high in the mountains.
meander A bend or curve in a stream channel.
mouth Where a stream enters a larger body of water such as a lake or an ocean.
stream A body of moving water, contained within a bank (sides) and bed (bottom).
tributary The smaller of two streams that join together to make a larger stream.

floodplain The region near a stream bed where water from the stream overflows during floods.
Headwaters- The location where a stream forms,
often high in the mountains.
Stream - A body of moving water, contained within
a bank (sides) and bed (bottom).
Tributary-The smaller of two streams that join
together to make a larger stream.
Estuary-Where a stream meets a lake or, more
usually, an ocean. The mixture of fresh and salt
water attracts a large number of species and so
estuaries have high biodiversity.
 NC Streams
and Rivers
Biologic Index of Streams

Types of
macroinvertebrates in a
stream helps us understand
the health of the stream or
river
NC River Basins

Water sheds are

composed of all
the streams and
tributaries that
eventually flow to
the mouth of the
river.
NC River Basins-Assignment

http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/riverbasins-gis-map.asp
Visit the river basins interactive and choose a river basin in NC to research
What are some of the natural resources that are unique to your particular
river basin?
What variants of biodiversity are native to this area?
Describe the headwaters versus the mouth of the river in terms of landform
features, creeks, streams, waterfalls, Carolina bays, wetlands, etc.
What are some of the direct threats to the water shed? What cities impact
the watershed and how?
Where are some places to visit along your river basin?
Flooding and Surface Water
pollution issues

Term Definition

A rapid flood in a low-lying area that may allow no

flash flood
preparation.

A raised structure designed to hold back the waters of a

levee
stream or river in the case of a flood.
Flooding
https://www.ck12.org/book/CK-12-Earth-Science-Concepts-For-High-School/section/8.6/

What is a flash flood?

How might a mountainous region experience flash floods?
Where do flash floods occur?
Why might a flash flood occur not where the rain falls?
Why are urban areas prone to flash floods?
What is the difference between a flash flood and a flood?
If you are in a mountainous area and a flash flood is predicted what should
you not do?
What are the safety tips for floods?
Glaciers, Icebergs and Sea Ice
 Glaciers-Vocabulary

Term Definition

alpine (valley) glacier A glacier found in a valley in the mountains.

A crevasse near the top of a glacier where moving ice below is separated from stagnant
bergschrund
ice above.

continental glacier A sheet of ice covering a large area that is not confined to a valley.

crevasse A deep crack in a glacier that forms as a result of ice movement.

glacier Large sheets of flowing ice.

The lower part of a glacier where the amount of snow and ice that melts off is greater
zone of ablation
than the amount that accumulates.

The upper part of a glacier where the amount of snow and ice that accumulates is greater
zone of accumulation
than the amount that melts off
Glaciers-Yosemite National Park
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=11&v=mgnzSTY5zRg

Key words: Moraine, crevasse, fissure, chasm

Where are glaciers found in Yosemite National Park?
What is the largest glacier in Yosemite National Park?
What is the environment on and around a glacier like?
What are the dangers on glaciers?
What is a crevasse? What creates it?
What is a glacier?
Describe the bergshrund.
What is the challenge with protecting glaciers in Yosemite National Park?