THE WATER CYCLEWWK: WE WILL KNOW HOW THE WATER CYCLE AFFECTS HUMAN LIFE AND CERTAIN SUBSYSTEMS, AND VICE VERSA

So what is the water cycle?

The Water Cycle, (or Hydrological Cycle) is the circulation of Earths water, from evaporation to condensation

Without the water cycle, we would suffer a massive, worldwide drought. Crops would die out. Famine would hit. Eventually, without water, plants and trees would slowly start to die. The oxygen in our atmosphere would slowly start to dwindle away, leaving us to die a slow, horrible death by asphyxiation. We like the Water Cycle.

Who studies the water cycle?

Hydrology is the scientific studies of properties, distribution, and effects of water on Earths surface, in the soil and underlying rocks, and the atmosphere.

Hydrologists have discovered that, on Earth, 97.2% of water is seawater, the other 2.8% is freshwater. Of that 2.8%, 2.1% is in glaciers and ice caps. That means that .7% of all of Earths water is in rivers, reservoirs, etc.

Earth compared to other planets

Because our planet has water on it, able to support life, it distinguishes our planet from other terrestrial planets (Venus, Mars, Mercury)

The presence of water in our atmosphere determines the climate in that particular area of the world.

But what makes our planet so special? The fact that our planet is the only known planet to support life due to water and our atmosphere makes Earth life supporting. However, other planets, such as Mars and one of Saturn's moons, Titan, could have at one point supported life.

How does the water cycle affect our planet?

Water, in all of her forms, is literally one of the most powerful erosive agents, shaping the land as liquid or ice.

Erosion is the process in which the surface of the Earth is worn away by the action of water, glaciers, wind, etc.

Although there are many theories as to how it formed, erosion has played a major factor in the formation of the Grand Canyon. Even though it is the BIGGEST factor in its formation, it is not the only one. Other factors include; wind, volcanism, continental drift, and the Colorado River.

Is it possible to affect the water cycle?

Because human demand for fresh water increases rapidly, it is possible to use up our freshwater before it is replaced by rain. This can cause water shortages.

As the human population expands, we get rid of things such as Rainforests and Wetlands, causing more severe flooding when it rains heavily.

Aquifers may also not be filled up as quickly because the rainwater runs off without the plants and bare ground to “catch” it so it can soak in.

Vocabulary

Hydrological Cycle- The circulation of Earths water, from evaporation to condensation (a.k.a. The Water Cycle)

Hydrology- The scientific studies of properties, distribution, and effects of water on Earths surface, in the soil and underlying rocks, and the atmosphere.

Erosion- The process in which the surface of the Earth is worn away by the action of water, glaciers, wind, etc.

We will know the different type of energies that can be obtained through the ocean. Such energies are: Wave power, Tidal power, Ocean thermal energy, Offshore wind turbines, and Future energy from the sea.

WWK

Wave Power

A typical wave about 2 to 3 meters (6.6 to 10 ft.) high can provide about 40 to 100 Kilo Watts of energy per meter of its length.

Tidal power

Energy that can roughly provide for the worlds energy needs is tidal power and can roughly equal 10 to 100 GW.

As the tide comes in energy is produced and it’s visa-versa for the tide going out.

Ocean Thermal Energy

The energy reserves that are found in ocean thermal energy, is estimated to give rough 10,000 GW or roughly the same as our current world energy consumption.

It is made but the temperature difference between surface and deep ocean water.

Offshore Wind Turbines

Wind turbine technology help capture a huge contributor to our energy needs.

Same process as a wind turbine on land just with turbines in the ocean.

Biofuel from the sea is a leading topic because of the possible use of kelp.

In the UK a new invention has been made, the Searaser is a new of renewable energy.

Future Energy

Wave Power: A typical wave about 2 to 3 meters (6.6 to 10 ft.) high can provide about 40 to a 100 kilowatts of energy per meter (3.3 ft.) of its length.

Tidal Power: Energy of the tide can provide roughly 10 to 100 GW of the worlds energy needs.

Ocean Thermal Energy: Thermal energy reserves in the world’s oceans are estimated to be very roughly 10,000 GW or roughly the same as current world energy consumption.

Vocab

WE WILL KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVING AND PRESERVING WATER AND MARINE LIFE.

Why we should conserveConserve-To protect from harm or destruction

Water is essential to the survival of both animals and humans, alike. It is unfortunate, however, that more and more of the world’s water supply is being depleted due to pollution. When bodies of water become polluted due to various reasons, the pollution changes the chemical, physical and biological conditions of the water making it unfit for fish to live in and for humans to consume. Following are some of the many ways that water can become polluted.1. Chemical and industrial waste2. Thermal pollution from power plants3. Organic wastes4. Inorganic wastes5. Pesticides6. Farm waste7. Fertilizers8. Household garbage9. Household sewage10. Beauty products and cleaners

How to conserve

Conservation is achieved by alternative technologies, recycling, and reduction in waste and spoilage.

Only about 3% of the worlds water remains unharmed and even that 3% is in extreme risk of pollution, so here are some ways you can help to conserve water: Use organic products, turn the water off when it’s not in use and wash cars only when needed.

The importance of marine life and the Ocean

The Ocean flows over nearly three-quarters of our planet, and hold 97% of the planet's water. They produce more than half of the oxygen in the atmosphere, and absorb the most carbon from it.The air that you breathe, the water you drink, the food you eat, the products that keep you warm, safe, informed, and entertained — all can come from or be transported by the oceanAbout half of the world’s population lives within the coastal zone, and ocean-based businesses contribute more than $500 billion to the world’s economy. Historically, we thought that we could never take too much out of, or put too much waste into, the oceans.The sheer number of people who use and depend on the ocean, and the sometimes unwise practices we adopt, have created problems such as overharvest of resources, reduction in biodiversity, and degradation of marine habitats and species, among others. We risk the very ecosystems on which our survival depends.

Saving the Ocean and Marine lifeMarine Preserve- an area in which certain activities such as fishing are restricted t protect

coral reefs and aquatic animals

Endangered- At serious risk of extinction

Things you can do to help save the Ocean

Make safe and sustainable seafood choices

Use fewer plastic products

Help take care of the beach

Don’t purchase items that exploit marine life

WWK UNIT 12

We will the importance of Freshwater Biomes, the types

of organisms that inhabit them, and how they differ

from Saltwater Biomes.

What is a freshwater biome? Freshwater biomes are defined as having

a low salt concentration – usually less than 1%

3 types of freshwater regions: Ponds Streams and Rivers WetlandsThese regions and the animals that inhabit them create ecosystems, which is a system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their environment.

Importance of Freshwater Biomes

Provide us with drinking water. Freshwater is the basis of all life

because we use it to grow our crops for food.

Helps keep the Earth cool by regulating the temperature.

Provides several sources of energy one in particular being hydroelectric power through the use of dams and turbines.

Types of OrganismsWhere organisms common to freshwater biomes live is called a habitat, or their home. The most common animals that live in freshwater biomes are fish, insects, amphibians, some reptiles, birds and some mammals. But the organisms do vary depending on location.Fish: Trout, Salmon, and Bass.Insects : Mosquitos, ticks, leeches, dragonflies.Amphibians: frogs, toads, salamanders.Reptiles: snakes, turtles and alligators. Birds: duck, geese, swans.Mammals: manatee, otter, beavers.

Food ChainFood chains all have

a basic concept. It starts with the producer such as some sort of plant or plankton, and as we go up the chain the little animals get eaten by the bigger ones.

Great Blue Heron

Bluegills

Bluntnose Minnow

Algae

How they differ The Earth is 57% water. Of that 97%

is salt water. 2% of the fresh water supply is frozen in glaciers near the poles, which leaves us with 1% fresh water.

Saltwater is denser than freshwater and has more mass.

Otters live in freshwater, and otters are cuter than fish, therefore freshwater is superior.

And a person needs freshwater to live. Drinking too much salt water can dehydrate and kill you.

Vocab Ecosystem – a system formed by the

interaction of a community of organisms with their environment.

Food chain – a series of organisms interrelated in their feeding habits, the smallest being fed upon by a larger one, which in turn feeds a still larger one etc.

Habitat – the natural environment of an organism; place that is natural for life and growth of an organism.

We will know about the oceans and all the different types

of sea life

WWK

Environment

Water covers ¾ of the earths surface and includes oceans, coal reefs, and estuaries. An Estuary is that part of a mouth or lower course of a river in which the rivers current meets the sea’s tides.

The Ocean is divided into several different zones. These zones include: Intertidal Pelagic Abyssal Benthic

Different zones

The intertidal zone is where the ocean meets the land, sometimes submerged and at other times exposed, as waves and tides come in and out

The pelagic zone includes those waters further from the land, more so the open ocean

The benthic zone is the area below the pelagic zone, but does not include the very deepest part of the ocean

The abyssal zone is the deep ocean. Water temperatures become very cold, reaching only 3 degrees C

Types of lifeThere are lots of different types of organisms in the ocean biome. The most common of animals is fish. There are thousands of species with unique characteristics.A few examples of oceanic sea life are: Male sea horses are uniquely involved in

the raising their young by brooding the eggs inside their body until they hatch

Most feather stars have no front or back. They move equally easily in any direction, with a different arm leading the way each time

Food chain

The food chain of saltwater biomes can be very long. Since there is such a diversity of live with various shapes and sizes, the struggle to survive is intense. With microscopic organisms like Phytoplankton at the bottom, and sharks and seals at the top, saltwater environments are nothing less then challenging.

How it differs from freshwater

Saltwater is denser than freshwater and has more mass.

Saltwater covers a much greater percentage of the Earth compared to Freshwater.

Oceans play the bigger role in regulating the temperature of the Earth and supplying moisture for rain fall.

The ocean also provides us with oil and natural gas unlike its freshwater friend.