Environmental Science Chp 15 Study Questions with 100% correct answers

Describe the hydrologic cycle. The hydrologic cycle is the recycling process of water featuring evaporation and condensation. The cycle through which water in the hydrosphere moves, includes such processes as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and surface and groundwater runoff and infiltration. Cycling of water through the environment follows simple pattern moisture in the atmosphere condenses into droplets that fall to the earth as rain or snow supplying all living things with life sustaining properties. Water flowing over Earth as surface water or through the soil as groundwater returns to the oceans where it evaporates back into the atmosphere to begin the cycle again. Distinguish between withdrawal and consumption of water. To distinguish between the withdrawal and the consumption of water is that the withdrawal is the measurements of the amount of water taken from a source, which may be temporarily used and returned to its source and used again. As for the consumption, the water that is incorporated into a product or lost to the atmosphere through evaporation or evapotranspiration cannot be rescued in the same geographic area and is said to be consumed to too much water withdrawn from the irrigation is consumed. What are the similarities between domestic and industrial water use? How are they different from in-stream use? Domestic water use is the water used for domestic activities such as drinking air condition, bathing, washing clothes, washing dishes, flushing toilets, and watering lawns and gardens. Industry and municipalities use water to transport waste materials, and both need to maintain an adequate and suitable supply of water at all times. In-stream use does not consume water, nor does it add waste products to it. How is land use related to water quality and quantity? Can you provide local examples? The land use is related to water quality and quantity in that if it is used for recreational purposes, overuse and inconsiderate use can degrade water quality, myrtle beach is an example because the water is so dirty it is unhealthy to swim in because of the misuses of the land and water. Some uses can withdrawal water, disrupt the flow, and contribute to siltation, pollution, and salinization. Examples include the location of industry near a body of water or the construction of a dam. What is biochemical oxygen demand? How is it related to water quality? Biochemical oxygen demand is the amount of oxygen that is required by microbes to degrade organic molecules in aquatic ecosystems. If too much-dissolved oxygen is removed, aquatic organisms die. Pollutants can be limited by aquatic organisms. How can the addition of nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates result in a reduction of the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water? Nutrients from fertilizer hasten the growth of aquatic plants and algae, which is called eutrophication, and promote undesirable amounts because they interfere with the use of the water by fouling boat propellers, clogging water intake pipes, and changing the taste and odor of water, causing a buildup of organic matter on the bottom, as organic matter, decays, oxygen levels decrease and fish and other aquatic species die. Differentiate between point and nonpoint sources of water pollution. To differentiate between point and nonpoint sources of water pollution is that point is a source of pollution that can be readily identified because it has a definite source and place where it enters the water, it is said to come from a point source. Nonpoint sources are difficult to identify and control like diffuse pollutants, and runoff acid rain. How are most industrial wastes disposed of? How has this changed over the past 25 years? Most industrial wastes are disposed of is they dispose of their wastes into municipal sewage systems which contain organic materials such as petroleum, metals, acids, and many more. The backfilling and land restoration is required now referring to mine drainage. What is thermal pollution? How can it be controlled? Thermal pollution is when an industry removes water from a source, uses the water for cooling purposes, and then returns heated water to its source. It can be controlled is through constructing a large shallow pond, using a cooling tower, and using a dry towel. Describe primary, secondary, and tertiary sewage treatment. The primary is the process that removes larger particles by settling or filtering raw sewage through large screens. The secondary is the process that involves holding the wastewater until the organic material has been degraded by bacteria and other microorganisms. The tertiary is the process that involves a variety of different techniques designed to remove dissolved pollutants left after primary and secondary treatments. What are the types of wastes associated with agriculture? Types of wastes associated with agriculture are agricultural waste includes animal manure, excess feed and fertilizer, and pesticide spillage. Why is stormwater management more of a problem in an urban area than in a rural area? Stormwater management is more of a problem in an urban area than in a rural area is because the urban areas are paved and little rainwater can be absorbed into the ground so more flooding is common because water is channeled along streets to storm sewers. Define groundwater mining. Groundwater mining is when groundwater withdrawals exceed natural inflow or recharge, and is considered a nonrenewable resource. How does irrigation increase salinity? Irrigation increases salinity because since irrigation is most common in hot dry areas that have high rates of evaporation there is generally an increase in the concentration of salts in the soil and in the water that runs off the land. What are the three major water services provided by metropolitan areas? The major water services that are provided by metropolitan areas are that metropolitan areas must provide a water supply for humans and industrial needs, wastewater collection and treatment, and storm-water collection and management.