Puricare Industrial Enterprises: Hydrologic cycle

Showing posts with label Hydrologic cycle. Show all posts

Saturday, January 23, 2021

The Water Cycle - What is the Water Cycle - The water does not just magically appear in either place; it is a long process. One of the most interesting things about water is that there is not really a beginning or an end to that process - there is what is referred to as ‘the water cycle’ and it points to the fact that the water we have today is the same water that we have been using since the dawn of ages, it just keeps getting recycled. Let’s inject ourselves in to a part of the cycle that seems like a good starting point – rain. Rain water falls from the clouds, landing on our backyards, roof tops, roads, lakes, and rivers (and everything else). Here water can settle into the landscape (infiltration) or it can wash away (run-off). The water that is absorbed by the landscape works its way down through layers of leaves, dirt and rock until it runs into the water table or ground water (also called an aquifer). The water that washes away follows gravity down hills, into water drains picking up speed and debris as it goes; this water ends up washing into our streams and creeks causing them to fill up and flow faster. Our creeks start as small trickles that bubble up from the water table at a point called a ‘spring’. These trickles of water come together as they head downhill to the ocean with each merger they increase the amount of water that runs in them and they become creeks, streams, and rivers. This inner connection of hundreds or thousands of creeks, streams and rivers is called a watershed.

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Water Cycle shows that all of our water is connected.

The Water Cycle

What is the Water Cycle

American Rivers

Where does our water come from?

And how did it get there?

For some folks the answer is the grocery store (and Fiji) but for most of us the answer is that it flows out of the tap when we turn it on.

Though the reality is that the water does not just magically appear in either place; it is a long process.

One of the most interesting things about water is that there is not really a beginning or an end to that process - there is what is referred to as ‘the water cycle’ and it points to the fact that the water we have today is the same water that we have been using since the dawn of ages, it just keeps getting recycled.

How the Water Cycle Works

Let’s inject ourselves in to a part of the cycle that seems like a good starting point – rain.

Rain water falls from the clouds, landing on our backyards, roof tops, roads, lakes, and rivers (and everything else).

Here water has two choices: it can settle into the landscape (infiltration) or it can wash away (run-off).

The water that is absorbed by the landscape works its way down through layers of leaves, dirt and rock until it runs into the water table or ground water (also called an aquifer).

The water that washes away follows gravity down hills, into water drains picking up speed and debris (leaves, trash, dirt, pet waste) as it goes; this water ends up washing into our streams and creeks causing them to fill up and flow faster.

But, where did that creek come from?

Our creeks start as small trickles that bubble up from the water table at a point called a ‘spring’.

These trickles of water come together as they head downhill to the ocean with each merger they increase the amount of water that runs in them and they become creeks, streams, and rivers.

This inner connection of hundreds or thousands of creeks, streams and rivers is called a watershed.

The water that flows in the Mississippi River (the largest river watershed in the country) past New Orleans could have started near Pittsburg, PA in the Ohio River or Bismarck, ND in the Missouri River or Oklahoma City, OK in the South Canadian River.

Everyone that lives in our watersheds needs some of that water to be clean enough to drink so they can live.

Some people, businesses, farmers, and towns use wells (holes drilled deep into the ground) to pull water from the underground water table.

This water is cleaned up as is filters its way down through the dirt, rock and clay of the earth’s crust.

It is critical for that water supply that there are areas that are clean and open enough for water to be able to be absorbed into the ground and that the ground that the water is moving through is clean.

Other communities use water pulled directly from our rivers for their drinking water.

In this case it is critical that the water that is washed into those creeks, streams, and rivers or that bubbles up from springs is as clean as possible before being pulled from the river.

Once a community system pulls that water from a river (and in some cases a well), the water is treated to federal and state required purity levels before being pumped and piped to our houses as clean drinking water.

It is only at this point that the water is able to come out of your tap when you turn the faucet on.

About American Rivers

The mission of American Rivers is to protect wild rivers, restore damaged rivers and conserve clean water for people and nature.

We combine national advocacy with field work in key river basins to deliver the greatest impact. We are practical problem-solvers with positions informed by science. We build partnerships and work closely with local river advocates, business and agriculture interests, recreation groups and others to forge win-win solutions. And with our expertise, outreach, and additional grants, we deliver the highest return on investment.

https://www.americanrivers.org/rivers/discover-your-river/what-is-the-water-cycle/

You might also like:

The Atmosphere and Weather are Essential to the Water Cycle

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-water-cycle-atmosphere-and-weather.html

Water On The Earth

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2018/05/water-on-earth-how-much-water-is-there.html

Precipitation is needed to replenish water to the earth

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2021/01/precipitation-precipitation-is-needed.html

Shocking Facts about Fresh Water

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https://puricare.blogspot.com/2020/08/shocking-facts-about-fresh-water-while.html

Let's Talk About Water

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2019/12/lets-talk-about-water-in-all.html

Rain Clouds

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2020/11/rain-clouds-science-in-bible-clouds-are.html

What is

groundwater

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2016/06/groundwater-there-is-immense-amount-of.html

The Hydrological Cycle or Water Cycle

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-hydrological-cycle-or-water-cycle.html

Thursday, December 24, 2020

SALTWATER INTRUSION OF FRESHWATER AQUIFERS - Saltwater intrusion occurs along coastlines in areas where groundwater has been depleted or is currently being over pumped. Because it can take thousands of years to replenish, groundwater stored in aquifers is not considered to be a renewable resource. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) groundwater accounts for approximately 30 percent of liquid fresh water. Through Earth’s hydrologic cycle liquid water that is not absorbed by organisms, returned to the oceans as rain or is not carried off by the prevailing winds as water vapor, percolates through the ground and into groundwater aquifers. As the sea-level rises along coastlines already prone to floodings, such as Florida, or Tangier Island, freshwater aquifers can become contaminated with salt water. Saltwater intrusion is irreversible and once an aquifer is contaminated it is no longer suitable for use. Its main uses are for domestic purposes or agricultural. According to Wired, 90 percent of South Florida’s water supply comes from aquifers and some cities in that region have had to shut down groundwater wells due to saltwater intrusion caused by sea-level rise. One of the most common causes of saltwater intrusion is the depletion of groundwater. Depleting groundwater resources creates a cone-shaped depression in the ground surrounding the pumped area and reverses the flow of groundwater.

Saltwater Intrusion of Freshwater Aquifers

Saltwater intrusion is irreversible and once an aquifer is contaminated it is no longer suitable for use. Depleting groundwater resources creates a cone-shaped depression in the ground surrounding the pumped area and reverses the flow of groundwater.This means that instead of water flowing out of the aquifer, water is pulled into the aquifer from the sea.

By Orietta Estrada

Staff Writer for Save The Water™

Impacts of Global Warming

Scientific Reports published a study in 2015 outlining the impact that global warming is having on a small Virginia island in the Chesapeake Bay.

The results stated that Tangier Island will lose the majority of its landmass due to wave-induced erosion and sea-level rise.

A conservative estimate of how much time the inhabitants of Tangier have to remain on the island is less than 50 years — it is expected that, by 2063, the island will be abandoned.

With the loss of landmass on the island goes millions of dollars in ecosystem services.

Should the sea-level rise intensify, the island will have to be evacuated sooner.

The reason for the sea-level rise, according to the study, is human failure to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

In other words, human assisted global warming is causing the ocean to consume this island.

Tangier Island is just one example of some of the problems that sea-level rise, via human induced global warming, can cause.

Coastal Florida is another example of this and with unique problems such as saltwater intrusion.

Saltwater Intrusion

Saltwater intrusion occurs along coastlines in areas where groundwater has been depleted or is currently being over pumped.

Because it can take thousands of years to replenish, groundwater stored in aquifers is not considered to be a renewable resource.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) groundwater accounts for approximately 30 percent of liquid fresh water.

Through Earth’s hydrologic cycle liquid water that is not absorbed by organisms, returned to the oceans as rain or is not carried off by the prevailing winds as water vapor, percolates through the ground and into groundwater aquifers.

As the sea-level rises along coastlines already prone to floodings, such as Florida, or Tangier Island, freshwater aquifers can become contaminated with salt water.

Saltwater intrusion is irreversible and once an aquifer is contaminated it is no longer suitable for use.

Its main uses are for domestic purposes or agricultural.

According to Wired, 90 percent of South Florida’s water supply comes from aquifers and some cities in that region have had to shut down groundwater wells due to saltwater intrusion caused by sea-level rise.

One of the most common causes of saltwater intrusion is the depletion of groundwater.

Depleting groundwater resources creates a cone-shaped depression in the ground surrounding the pumped area and reverses the flow of groundwater.

This means that instead of water flowing out of the aquifer, water is pulled into the aquifer from the sea.

Stabilizing GHG Levels and Sea-level Rise

Global warming creates warmer ocean temperatures.

The increase in ocean temperature causes water to expand, glaciers to melt, and subsequently, sea-level rise.

Sea-level rise causes changes to evaporation patterns, ruins agricultural land and negatively impacts wildlife.

The impact that climate change will have on coastal communities is dependent on the stabilization of GHG concentrations.

The buildup of CO2 in Earth’s atmosphere is a major factor in global warming and climate change.

Just second to CO2, methane (CH4) is “21 times more effective in trapping heat” than CO2.

That’s because the Global Warming Potential (GWP) associated with methane is amplified when it interacts with aerosols.

Therefore, by mitigating GHG emissions, sea-level rise might be delayed thus giving ecosystems and communities more time to adapt to a changing environment.

An atmosphere with a stabilized GHG concentration of 550 ppm could cause a global temperature rise between approximately 1.5 C and 4.7 C — an increase of 3 C could potentially expose 170 million people (and resources) to coastal flooding and increase the risk for saltwater intrusion and other negative impacts.

Currently, as of January 2016, CO2 levels are at 402 ppm — up from last January which was 399 ppm.

Stabilizing GHG concentrations at 450 ppm would present a greater challenge because of current concentrations levels.

It is estimated that an increase in global temperatures between 1 C and 3.8 C would occur at 450 ppm, possibly exposing 10 million people to coastal flooding.

The total loss of the Greenland and West Antarctic Ice Sheets by 2100 could potentially cause a catastrophic sea-level rise of 12 meters.

As polar climates change, the effects (such as sea-level rise) are likely to be noticed worldwide and are being noticed in coastal communities in the U.S.

Due to the positive feedback mechanisms of climate change and its susceptibility, the Arctic is projected to respond to climate change more intensely than anywhere else on earth — Alaska has warmed at double rate of the rest of the country — and coastal communities in AK are suffering.

Over a period from 1992 to 2011 glacial melt has contributed to sea-level rise, by 2100 sea-level is likely to rise in 95% of the ocean area.

Reducing GHG emissions is important for mitigating sea-level rise.

It’s the only way to help reduce the impacts that global warming will have on coastal communities and saltwater intrusion.

Reducing Carbon Footprints

Reducing GHG emissions begins with making environmentally conscious choices.

By simply opting for one of many alternatives, one can make a significant impact on individual GHG emissions.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Carbonfootprint.com all offer carbon footprint calculators.

Finding out how much CO2 you contribute to the atmosphere as an individual is a great way to start learning about how you can make a difference.

The mission of Save The Water™ is to conduct water research to identify and remove harmful contaminants in water, and to raise public awareness about water contamination and its health impacts.

Although Save The Water™ operates mainly in North America and follows scientific procedures established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the impact of our analytical research and water treatment technology is universally applicable.

In the late 1990s, our co-founder Frank Ramos came across information about cancer-causing chemicals in whales and dolphins. Specifically, he learned two facts: (1) whales and dolphins’ fat tissue contains 1,000 times more man-made, highly toxic chemicals (such as those found in rubber and plastics) than our human tissue; and (2) these creatures are collecting these chemicals through the water in which they live. Frank and his dear friend Allan founded Save the Water™ in 1999. Together, they spent ten years researching water contamination in the U.S., its extent, and the critical need to solve the problem. In July 2013, Save the Water suffered a devastating loss when Allan passed away after a long battle with cancer. Studies have shown that many many cancers are linked to environmental factors such as the water that we drink, including in the United States. Losing Allan reinforced the belief that we must take immediate actions to combat water pollution and continue our mission until we have achieved and sustained our vision: contamination-free, healthy water for all. We believe that this future is within our grasp. But we need your help to achieve this goal for our children and future generations

http://savethewater.org/saltwater-intrusion-freshwater-aquifers/

You might also like:

The Hydrological Cycle or Water Cycle

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-hydrological-cycle-or-water-cycle.html

Groundwater depletion, deterioration of water quality and saltwater intrusion

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2016/05/groundwater-over-abstraction-pollution.html

Aquifers

Underground Stores of Freshwater

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2019/12/aquifers-underground-stores-of.html

Desalination Pros and Cons

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2017/02/desalination-desalination-is-process-of.html

Climate Change and Water

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2017/03/water-and-climate-change-climate-change.html

The Looming Threat Of Water Scarcity

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-looming-threat-of-water-scarcity.html

The Process of Saltwater Intrusion: The figure above illustrates how the process of saltwater intrusion into an aquifer system can occur. The boundary between fresh groundwater and saline groundwater is referred to as the freshwater/saltwater interface. Fresh groundwater discharging to the coast prevents the landward encroachment of saline groundwater. If this balance is upset by too much water being removed from the aquifer system from pumping, then saline groundwater can migrate landward by a process referred to as “saltwater intrusion”. If a pumping well is close to the landward migrating freshwater/saltwater interface, the potential exists for saltwater contamination in the well. (Public domain)

https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/process-saltwater-intrusion

Saturday, December 5, 2020

THE WATER CYCLE - The Atmosphere and Weather are Essential to the Water Cycle - Of the world's total water supply, 97% is salt water found in our oceans. That means that less than 3% of available water is freshwater and acceptable for our use. Consider that of that three percent, over 68% is frozen in ice and glaciers and 30% is underground. This means that under 2% of freshwater is readily available to quench the needs of everyone on Earth! Every drop of rain that falls from the sky isn't brand new, nor is every glass of water you drink. They have always been here on Earth they've just been recycled and re-purposed. Evaporation is considered to be the first step of the water cycle. In it, water that's stored in our oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams absorbs heat energy from the sun which turns it from a liquid into a gas called water vapor (or steam). Of course, evaporation doesn't just happen over bodies of water -- it happens on land too. When the sun heats the ground, water is evaporated from the top layer of soil -- a process known as evapotranspiration. Likewise, any extra water that isn't used by plants and trees during photosynthesis is evaporated from its leaves in a process called transpiration. A similar process happens when water that's frozen in glaciers, ice, and snow converts directly into water vapor (without first turning into a liquid). Called sublimation, this happens when the air temperature is extremely low or when high pressure is applied. Now that water has vaporized, it is free to rise up into the atmosphere. The higher it rises, the more heat it loses and the more it cools off. Eventually, the water vapor particles cool so much that they condense and turn back into liquid water droplets. When enough of these droplets collect, they form clouds.

The Water Cycle

The Atmosphere and Weather are Essential to the Water Cycle

By Tiffany Means

You've likely heard of the hydrologic (water) cycle before and know that it describes how Earth's water journeys from the land to the sky, and back again.

But what you may not know is why this process is so essential.

Of the world's total water supply, 97% is salt water found in our oceans.

That means that less than 3% of available water is freshwater and acceptable for our use.

Think that's a small amount?

Consider that of that three percent, over 68% is frozen in ice and glaciers and 30% is underground.

This means that under 2% of freshwater is readily available to quench the needs of everyone on Earth!

Are you beginning to see why the water cycle is so essential? Let's explore the steps.

All Water Is Recycled Water

Here's some food (or drink) for thought: every drop of rain that falls from the sky isn't brand new, nor is every glass of water you drink.

They have always been here on Earth, they've just been recycled and re-purposed, thanks to the water cycle which includes 5 main processes:

o Evaporation (including sublimation, transpiration)

o Condensation

o Precipitation

o Surface runoff (including snowmelt and streamflow)

o Infiltration (groundwater storage and eventual discharge)

Evaporation, Transpiration, Sublimation Move Water Into the Air

Evaporation is considered to be the first step of the water cycle.

In it, water that's stored in our oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams absorbs heat energy from the sun which turns it from a liquid into a gas called water vapor (or steam).

Of course, evaporation doesn't just happen over bodies of water -- it happens on land too.

When the sun heats the ground, water is evaporated from the top layer of soil -- a process known as evapotranspiration.

Likewise, any extra water that isn't used by plants and trees during photosynthesis is evaporated from its leaves in a process called transpiration.

A similar process happens when water that's frozen in glaciers, ice, and snow converts directly into water vapor (without first turning into a liquid).

Called sublimation, this happens when the air temperature is extremely low or when high pressure is applied.

Condensation Makes Clouds

Now that water has vaporized, it is free to rise up into the atmosphere. The higher it rises, the more heat it loses and the more it cools off.

Eventually, the water vapor particles cool so much that they condense and turn back into liquid water droplets. When enough of these droplets collect, they form clouds.

Precipitation Moves Water From the Air to Land

As winds move clouds around, clouds collide with other clouds and grow.

Once they grow big enough, they fall out of the sky as precipitation (rain if the atmosphere's temperatures are warm, or snow if its temperatures are 32° F or colder).

From here, precipitating water can take one of several paths:

If it falls into the oceans and other bodies of water, its cycle has ended and it is ready to begin again by evaporating yet again.

On the other hand, if it falls on land, it continues on the water cycle journey and must find its way back to the oceans.

So that we can continue exploring the complete water cycle, let's assume option #2 -- that the water has fallen over land areas.

Ice and Snow Move Water Very Slowly Along in the Water Cycle

The precipitation that falls as snow over land accumulates, forming seasonal snowpack (layers upon layers of snow that continually accumulates and becomes packed down).

As spring arrives and temperatures warm, these large amounts of snow thaw and melt, leading to runoff and streamflow.

(Water also stays frozen and stored in ice caps and glaciers for thousands of years!)

Runoff and Streamflow Moves Water Downhill, Towards Oceans

Both the water that melts from snow and that which falls on the land as rain flows over the surface of the earth and downhill, due to gravity's pull.

This process is known as runoff. (Runoff is hard to visualize, but you've probably noticed it during heavy rain or a flash flood, as water flows hurriedly down your driveway and into storm drains.)

Runoff works like this: As water runs over the landscape, it displaces the ground's top-most layer of soil.

This displaced soil forms channels which the water then follows and feeds into the nearest creeks, streams, and rivers. Because this water flows directly into rivers and streams it is sometimes referred to as streamflow.

The runoff and streamflow steps of the water cycle play a key part in making sure water gets back into the oceans to keep the water cycle going.

How so? Well, unless rivers are diverted or dammed up, all of them eventually empty into the ocean!

Infiltration

Not all of the water that precipitates ends up as runoff. Some of it soaks into the ground -- a water cycle process known as infiltration.

At this stage, the water is pure and drinkable.

Some of the water that infiltrates the ground fills aquifers and other underground stores.

Some of this groundwater finds openings in the land surface and re-emerges as freshwater springs.

And still, some of it is absorbed by plant roots and ends up evapostranspiring from leaves.

Those amounts that stay close to the land surface, seep back into surface bodies of water (lakes, oceans) where the cycle starts all over again.

Additional Water Cycle Resources for Kids and Students

Thirsty for more water cycle visualizations? Check out this student-friendly water cycle diagram, courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey.

And don't miss this USGS interactive diagram available in three versions: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

Activities for each of the water cycle's main processes can be found at the National Weather Service's Jetstream School for Weather Hydrologic Cycle page.

The USGS Water Science School has two great resources: The Water Cycle Summary and Where is Earth's Water?

Tiffany Means

Meteorology Expert

Education

B.S., Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, University of North Carolina

Introduction

Studied atmospheric sciences and meteorology at the University of North Carolina

Former administrative assistant for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Member of the American Meteorological Society

Experience

Tiffany Means is a former writer for ThoughtCo who contributed articles about weather for five years. She has interned with the domestic and international weather departments at CNN, written monthly climate reports for NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Prediction, and participated in a number of science outreach events, including the Science Olympiad Competition. Means has personally experienced such weather greats as the Blizzard of 1993 and the floods of Hurricane Francis (2004) and Ivan (2004).

Education

Bachelor's degree in atmospheric sciences and meteorology from the University of North Carolina at Asheville

ThoughtCo and Dotdash

ThoughtCo is a premier reference site focusing on expert-created education content. We are one of the top-10 information sites in the world as rated by comScore, a leading Internet measurement company. Every month, more than 13 million readers seek answers to their questions on ThoughtCo.

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https://www.thoughtco.com/the-water-cycle-4049926

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