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UNIT 3 – WATER

MAP OR THE MAIN BODIES OF WATER IN SPAIN

WATER ON THE EARTH’ SURFACE

When we see the Earth from space, we can see clearly why it is called the blue planet. About 75% of its
surface is covered with water. Most of this water is in the oceans, but a lot of it is found in the different
bodies of water all around us.

Oceans and seas are the largest bodies of water. They are made up of salt water.

A lake is a body of water that is surrounded by land on all sides. Lakes can hold fresh water or salt
water.

A river is a long body of water that flows into a ocean, sea or lake. Rivers carry fresh water.

Reservoirs are man-made lakes used for storing fresh water. A dam is built to stop the river flowing.

Ice caps and glaciers are large masses of ice and snow. They are made up of fresh water.

A small river can be called a strem, creek or brook.

WATER UNDER THE EARTH’S SURFACE

We can also find fresh water underground. In fact, there is much more water under the Earth’s surface
than in all its rivers and lakes. Groundwater mainly comes from rain and melted snow that is absorbed
into the ground. It is stored in underground layers of rock or earth called aquifers.

- People build wells to obtain water from aquifers. They are a source of water for drinking,
agriculture and industry.
- Water from aquifers sometimes flows to the surface through springs.
- Some farmers use groundwater to water their crops.

Groundwater is am important resource for agriculture and industry. However, it can sometimes be
polluted by waste from farms and factories.
STATES OF WATER

Hydrosphere is the word we use to describe all the water on Earth: on its surface, underground and in
the air. Water can be found in three different states: liquid, solid and gas.

- The water in oceans, lakes, rivers and aquifers is in a liquid state.


- The water in glaciers, ice caps and icebergs is in a solid state.
- The water that is in the air (water vapour) is in a gas state.

CHANGES OF STATE

Water changes state when its temperature increases or decreases. Water can evaporate, condense,
freeze and melt.

 When its temperature increases:


When liquid water is heated, it changes from a liquid state to a gas state. This gas is called
water vapour. This process is called evaporation. Ice is water in a solid state. When it heats up,
it changes back into a liquid state. This process is called melting.
 When its temperature decreases:
When water vapour cools, it changes back into a liquid state. This process is called
condensation.
When liquid water is cooled to a very low temperature, it changes into ice, which is water is a
solid state. This process is called freezing.
THE WATER CYCLE

All the water on the Earth is constantly changing state and moving from one place to another. We call
this the water cycle. The water cycle is continuous because water never stops changing state. There are
four stages of the water cycle.

1. Evaporation.
When the Sun heats water, the water evaporates, moving up into the atmosphere as water
vapour.
2. Condensation.
The water vapour cools and condenses. Drops of liquid water begin to form and join together
to form clouds.
3. Precipitation.
When the clouds cool and become heavy, drops of water start to fall in the form of
precipitation.
4. Collection.
This water collects in rivers, lakes and oceans and is also absorbed into the ground as
groundwater.

Rivers and streams return the water to the oceans and seas. The cycle begins again.

DRINKING WATER

You already know where we find fresh water on the Earth, but did you know that not all of this water is
drinkable? We can only drink clean, fresh water. We call this water drinking water. Water from rivers
and lakes is not drinking water. Its contains bacteria which have to be removed before it is safe to drink.

Approximately 2% of the Earth’s water is fresh water stored in the form of ice in glaciers, ice caps and
icebergs.

Only about 1% of the water on our planet can be consumed by humans, animals and plants. Some of
this fresh water goes through water treatment plants to be cleaned and turned into drinking water.

Approximately 97% of the Earth’s water is salt water. We cannot drink this water because too much salt
is bad for our health.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT

We use a lot of water in our daily lives. We shower, wash the dishes, brush our teeth, water the plants
and drink water. We all create wastewater, so do factories and farms. Before this water rejoins the
water cycle, it must pass through a wastewater treatment plant.

1. Screening
The wastewater passes through a filter called a screen. This removes large objects and particles
from the water.
2. Primary treatment
The water is pumped into large tanks. The remain solid particles fall to the bottom of the tank
and are removed.
3. Secondary treatment
The water then passes into other tanks. Air is pumped into the tanks to help bacteria to grow in
the water. The bacteria help remove smaller particles.
4. Final treatment
Finally, a chemical is added to the water to kill off harmful bacteria. The water can then be
pumped into a river.

Treated wastewater is often used in agriculture and industry. Some farmers use it to water their crops. It
can also be used to make products such as paper and cement.

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