EnvirothonEnvirothon

Aquatic Ecology Aquatic Ecology

Identify the process and phases for Identify the process and phases for each part of the water cycleeach part of the water cycle

Water Cycle terms

 

[    ]  Condensation [    ]  Evaporation

[    ]  Evapotranspiration [    ]  Freshwater storage

[    ]  Ground-water discharge [    ]  Ground-water storage

[    ]  Infiltration [    ]  Precipitation

[    ]  Snowmelt runoff to streams

[    ]  Spring

[    ]  Stream flow [    ]  Sublimation

[    ]  Surface runoff[    ]  Water storage in the atmosphere

[    ]  Water storage in ice and snow

[    ]  Water storage in oceans

40%Evapotranspiration

25% Deepinfiltration

25%Shallow

infiltration

Natural Ground CoverNatural Ground Cover

10% Runoff10% Runoff

Source: U.S. EPAInfiltrationInfiltration

References for Water References for Water CycleCycle

Good source for diagrams, terms, and extensive discussion of Good source for diagrams, terms, and extensive discussion of all the water cycle components. Also simple methods for all the water cycle components. Also simple methods for demonstrating sublimation and transpiration: demonstrating sublimation and transpiration: http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercyclesummary.html#oceanshttp://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercyclesummary.html#oceans

Interesting, animated interactive water cycle: Interesting, animated interactive water cycle: www.mrhall.org/science/epawatercycle/epawatercycle.htmwww.mrhall.org/science/epawatercycle/epawatercycle.htm

Water cycle activities, 9Water cycle activities, 9thth grade and lower: grade and lower:

www.fi.edu/guide/bond/watercycleact.htmlwww.fi.edu/guide/bond/watercycleact.html

Basic concept of water cycle with a section on human impacts: Basic concept of water cycle with a section on human impacts: www.purdue.edu/dp/envirosoft/groundwater/src/cycle.htmwww.purdue.edu/dp/envirosoft/groundwater/src/cycle.htm

Properties of water - Properties of water - chemical propertieschemical properties

A water molecule contains A water molecule contains one atom of oxygen bound to one atom of oxygen bound to two atoms of hydrogen. The two atoms of hydrogen. The hydrogen atoms are hydrogen atoms are "attached" to one side of the "attached" to one side of the oxygen atom, resulting in a oxygen atom, resulting in a water molecule having a water molecule having a positive charge on the side positive charge on the side where the hydrogen atoms where the hydrogen atoms are and a negative charge on are and a negative charge on the other side, where the the other side, where the oxygen atom is. Since oxygen atom is. Since opposite electrical charges opposite electrical charges attract, water molecules tend attract, water molecules tend to attract each other, making to attract each other, making water kind of "sticky." (If the water kind of "sticky." (If the water molecule here looks water molecule here looks familiar, remember that familiar, remember that everyone's favorite mouse is everyone's favorite mouse is mostly water, too). mostly water, too).

Properties of water - Properties of water - chemical propertieschemical properties

As the right-side As the right-side diagram shows, the side diagram shows, the side with the hydrogen atoms with the hydrogen atoms (positive charge) (positive charge) attracts the oxygen side attracts the oxygen side (negative charge) of a (negative charge) of a different water different water molecule. All these molecule. All these water molecules water molecules attracting each other attracting each other mean they tend to clump mean they tend to clump together. This is why together. This is why water drops are, in fact, water drops are, in fact, drops! drops!

Properties of water - Properties of water - physical propertiesphysical properties

Water is unique in that it is the only Water is unique in that it is the only natural substance that is found in all natural substance that is found in all three states -- liquid, solid (ice), and three states -- liquid, solid (ice), and gas (steam) -- at the temperatures gas (steam) -- at the temperatures normally found on Earth. normally found on Earth.

Properties of water - Properties of water - physical propertiesphysical properties

Water freezes at 32 Fahrenheit (F) and boils at Water freezes at 32 Fahrenheit (F) and boils at 212 F. water's freezing and boiling points are 212 F. water's freezing and boiling points are the baseline with which temperature is the baseline with which temperature is measured: 0 on the Celsius scale is water's measured: 0 on the Celsius scale is water's freezing point, and 100 is water's boiling freezing point, and 100 is water's boiling point. point.

Weight: 62.416 pounds per cubic foot at 32°F Weight: 62.416 pounds per cubic foot at 32°F Weight: 61.998 pounds per cubic foot at 100°F Weight: 61.998 pounds per cubic foot at 100°F Weight: 8.33 pounds/gallon, 0.036 Weight: 8.33 pounds/gallon, 0.036

pounds/cubic inch pounds/cubic inch Density: 1 gram per cubic centimeter (cc) at Density: 1 gram per cubic centimeter (cc) at

39.2°F, 39.2°F,

Fresh water ecosystems – Fresh water ecosystems – important properties of important properties of

waterwater Ice is water in its solid form. Unlike Ice is water in its solid form. Unlike

most substances, which are densest in most substances, which are densest in their solid state, ice is less dense than their solid state, ice is less dense than water and thus floats. If this were not water and thus floats. If this were not the case, Fresh water lakes and rivers the case, Fresh water lakes and rivers would freeze from the bottom up. Fish would freeze from the bottom up. Fish could not survive, and it is unlikely could not survive, and it is unlikely that rivers and lakes in northern that rivers and lakes in northern countries would ever completely thaw. countries would ever completely thaw.

Saltwater ecosystems – Saltwater ecosystems – important properties of important properties of

waterwater The oceans have a profound influence on The oceans have a profound influence on

climate. They are the world's great heat climate. They are the world's great heat reservoirs and heat exchangers. Water reservoirs and heat exchangers. Water has a high specific heat index. The high has a high specific heat index. The high specific heat index of water also helps specific heat index of water also helps regulate the rate at which air changes regulate the rate at which air changes temperature, which is why the temperature, which is why the temperature change between seasons is temperature change between seasons is gradual rather than sudden, especially gradual rather than sudden, especially near the oceans. near the oceans.

References for properties of water

http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/waterproperties.htmlhttp://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/waterproperties.html

http://www.ec.gc.ca/WATER/en/nature/prop/e_therm.htmhttp://www.ec.gc.ca/WATER/en/nature/prop/e_therm.htm

Analyze the interaction of competing uses of Analyze the interaction of competing uses of water for water supply, hydropower, water for water supply, hydropower,

navigation, wildlife, recreation, waste navigation, wildlife, recreation, waste assimilation, irrigation, industry and others.assimilation, irrigation, industry and others.

Analyze the interaction of Analyze the interaction of competing uses of water competing uses of water

supply, hydropower, supply, hydropower, navigation, wildlife, navigation, wildlife,

recreation, waste recreation, waste assimilation, irrigation, assimilation, irrigation,

industry, and othersindustry, and others United States United States

Geological Service Geological Service (USGS) surveys (USGS) surveys nation wide water nation wide water use every 5 years. use every 5 years. The chart to the The chart to the right is based on right is based on the 2000 survey. the 2000 survey.

Water Users -ReferencesWater Users -References http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/wateruse.htmlhttp://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/wateruse.html

Estimated use of Water in the United States in 2000: Estimated use of Water in the United States in 2000: http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/wateruse2000.htmlhttp://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/wateruse2000.html

Discuss methods of Discuss methods of conserving water and conserving water and

reducing point and non-reducing point and non-point source pollutionpoint source pollution

Water Conservation: The Water Conservation: The City of Richardson City of Richardson website is a good source website is a good source of information. The of information. The supplier of water to supplier of water to Richardson, The North Richardson, The North Texas Municipal Water Texas Municipal Water District, also has an District, also has an informative website. informative website.

Discuss methods for Discuss methods for reducing point and non-reducing point and non-point source pollutionpoint source pollution

Discuss methods for Discuss methods for reducing point and non-reducing point and non-point source pollutionpoint source pollution

Point sourcesPoint sources: A point source is a : A point source is a readily identifiable source. A typical readily identifiable source. A typical example is a pipe leading from an example is a pipe leading from an industry directly to a river. The pipe is industry directly to a river. The pipe is easily identified and can be traced back easily identified and can be traced back to the industry. Some examples of point to the industry. Some examples of point sources are industrial plants, wastewater sources are industrial plants, wastewater treatment facilities, landfills, restaurants, treatment facilities, landfills, restaurants, etc. Most point sources have already etc. Most point sources have already been identified and are highly regulated. been identified and are highly regulated.

Water ConservationWater ConservationReferencesReferences

City of Richardson, Texas City of Richardson, Texas http://www.cor.net/news/waterconservation.htmhttp://www.cor.net/news/waterconservation.htm

North Texas Municipal Water District: North Texas Municipal Water District: http://www.ntmwd.com/droughtInfo.htmlhttp://www.ntmwd.com/droughtInfo.html

Hydrograph of water level in Jim Chapman Lake: Hydrograph of water level in Jim Chapman Lake: http://ahps.srh.noaa.gov/hydrograph.php?http://ahps.srh.noaa.gov/hydrograph.php?wfo=fwd&gage=sclt2&view=1,1,1,1,1,1wfo=fwd&gage=sclt2&view=1,1,1,1,1,1

Hydrograph of water level in Lake Lavon:Hydrograph of water level in Lake Lavon:

http://ahps.srh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?http://ahps.srh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=fwd&gage=lvnt2&group=255084&view=1,1,1,1,1,1wfo=fwd&gage=lvnt2&group=255084&view=1,1,1,1,1,1

The majority of the water used in the urban Dallas-Fort Worth area The majority of the water used in the urban Dallas-Fort Worth area comes from lakes (surface water). comes from lakes (surface water).

The water sources for Richardson are Lake Chapman and Lake The water sources for Richardson are Lake Chapman and Lake Lavon. Lavon.

Included in the references are water level graphs from both Lake Included in the references are water level graphs from both Lake Chapman and Lake Lavon. Chapman and Lake Lavon.

The water levels can be tracked and hypothetical volumes of water The water levels can be tracked and hypothetical volumes of water used, and more importantly how much water is left, could be used, and more importantly how much water is left, could be calculated. calculated.

This exercise underscores how serious drought conditions are in This exercise underscores how serious drought conditions are in North Texas and can be used to further discussion on conservation.North Texas and can be used to further discussion on conservation.

Water Conservation: Water Conservation: Off the SubjectOff the Subject

Explain the different types of aquifers Explain the different types of aquifers and how each type relates to water and how each type relates to water

quantity and qualityquantity and quality

Aquifers - unconfinedAquifers - unconfined

Groundwater below a layer of solid rock Groundwater below a layer of solid rock or clay is said to be in a or clay is said to be in a confined confined aquiferaquifer.  The rock or clay is called a .  The rock or clay is called a confining layerconfining layer. A well that goes . A well that goes through a confining layer is known as an through a confining layer is known as an artesian wellartesian well..

The groundwater in confined aquifers is The groundwater in confined aquifers is usually under pressure. This pressure usually under pressure. This pressure causes water in an artesian well to rise causes water in an artesian well to rise above the aquifer level. above the aquifer level.

Aquifers - UnconfinedAquifers - Unconfined Water percolates through the soil until the soil Water percolates through the soil until the soil

is saturated. The top of the saturated zone is is saturated. The top of the saturated zone is called the called the water tablewater table. The water table rises . The water table rises and falls according to the season and the and falls according to the season and the amount of rain that has occurred. amount of rain that has occurred.

Note that bedrock below the saturated zone Note that bedrock below the saturated zone prevents the water from penetrating more prevents the water from penetrating more deeply.deeply.

An unconfined aquifer lacks a confining layer An unconfined aquifer lacks a confining layer on the top of the saturated zone.on the top of the saturated zone.

http://groundwater.orst.edu/under/http://groundwater.orst.edu/under/aquifer.html#Confinedaquifer.html#Confined

AquifersAquifers Confined aquiferConfined aquifer

Slow to recharge; Slow to recharge; recharge time may be recharge time may be in years or decadesin years or decades

Less susceptible to Less susceptible to pollutionpollution

Quantity of water Quantity of water greater than unconfinedgreater than unconfined

Unconfined aquiferUnconfined aquifer

Quick to recharge; Quick to recharge; recharge time may be recharge time may be in months or even daysin months or even days

More susceptible to More susceptible to pollutionpollution

Quantities of water Quantities of water generally lower than generally lower than confined aquifers confined aquifers

Aquifers - Aquifers -

Unconfined aquiferUnconfined aquifer

aquifersaquifers

Ground Water ProtectionGround Water Protection

Identify common aquatic Identify common aquatic organisms through the use organisms through the use

of a keyof a key Using a Key:Using a Key:

All keys are based on distinguishing All keys are based on distinguishing characteristicscharacteristics

The size or shape of head, thorax, or The size or shape of head, thorax, or abdomen can be a distinguishing abdomen can be a distinguishing characteristicscharacteristics

What Is a Watershed?

A watershed is the area of land that drains to a particular point along a stream

Center for Watershed Protection

Watershed delineation Watershed delineation referencesreferences

City of Richardson, Texas: City of Richardson, Texas: http://www.cor.net/http://www.cor.net/

Maps and various publications on Maps and various publications on water resources in the Trinity River water resources in the Trinity River Basin:Basin:

http://tx.usgs.gov/trin/pubshttp://tx.usgs.gov/trin/pubs

Describe changes to the Describe changes to the aquatic ecosystem based on aquatic ecosystem based on

alteration to the aquatic alteration to the aquatic habitat habitat

From Lane, 1955

ImperviouImpervious Cover s Cover

and and Storm Storm water water RunoffRunoff

100% Precipitation over Watershed100% Precipitation over Watershed

 Source:  U.S. EPA and Center for Watershed Protection “Site Planning for Urban Stream Protection”, Dec 1995

DevelopDevelopeded

NaturalNatural

EvaporationEvaporation 40%40%Surface RunoffSurface Runoff 10%10%GroundwaterGroundwater 50%50%

50%50%

30%30%

25%

Impervious Cover Impervious Cover and Storm water and Storm water

RunoffRunoff

Surface Runoff Generated Surface Runoff Generated from a One-Inch Rainstormfrom a One-Inch Rainstorm

 Source:  U.S. EPA and Center for Watershed Protection “Site Planning for Urban Stream Protection”, Dec 1995

- 218 cubic feet One-Acre Open Meadow

- 3,460 cubic feet One-Acre Paved Parking Lot

Wetlands Wetlands Far from being useless, disease- ridden Far from being useless, disease- ridden

places, wetlands provide values that no places, wetlands provide values that no other ecosystem can, including other ecosystem can, including natural water qualitynatural water quality improvement, improvement, flood protectionflood protection, shoreline , shoreline erosion controlerosion control, opportunities for , opportunities for recreation and aesthetic appreciationrecreation and aesthetic appreciation, , and natural products for our use at no and natural products for our use at no cost. Wetlands can provide one or more cost. Wetlands can provide one or more of these functions. Protecting wetlands in of these functions. Protecting wetlands in turn can protect our safety and welfare. turn can protect our safety and welfare.

www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/vital/people.html

Natural Water Quality Natural Water Quality ImprovementImprovement

Wetlands have important Wetlands have important filtering capabilities for filtering capabilities for intercepting surface- intercepting surface- water runoff from higher water runoff from higher dry land before the runoff dry land before the runoff reaches open water. As reaches open water. As the runoff water passes the runoff water passes through, the wetlands through, the wetlands retain excess nutrients retain excess nutrients and some pollutants, and and some pollutants, and reduce sediment that reduce sediment that would clog waterways and would clog waterways and affect fish and amphibian affect fish and amphibian egg development. egg development.

Bolivar Flats, TexasBolivar Flats, Texas

Wetlands provide flood Wetlands provide flood protectionprotection

Wetlands function as Wetlands function as natural sponges that trap natural sponges that trap and slowly release and slowly release surface water, rain, surface water, rain, snowmelt, groundwater snowmelt, groundwater and flood waters. Trees, and flood waters. Trees, root mats, and other root mats, and other wetland vegetation also wetland vegetation also slow the speed of flood slow the speed of flood waters and distribute waters and distribute them more slowly over them more slowly over the floodplain. This the floodplain. This combined water storage combined water storage and braking action lowers and braking action lowers flood heights and reduces flood heights and reduces erosion. erosion.

Riparian = Edge of WaterRiparian = Edge of Water

Riparian Habitat:Riparian Habitat: Areas adjacent Areas adjacent to rivers and streams with a to rivers and streams with a differing density, diversity, and differing density, diversity, and productivity of plant and animal productivity of plant and animal species relative to nearby uplands. species relative to nearby uplands.

REFERENCES

American Rivers, Natural Resources Defense Council and Smart Growth America, 2002, Paving Our Way to Water Shortages: How Sprawl Aggravates the Effects of Drought

Center for Watershed Protection, October 1998, Rapid Watershed Planning Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for Managing Urbanizing Watersheds

Center for Watershed Protection, December 1995, Site Planning for Urban Stream Protection

North Carolina Stream Restoration Institute and North Carolina Sea Grant, Stream Restoration: A Natural Channel Design Handbook

North Central Texas Council of Governments, www.dfwinfo.com/forecast

University of Virginia, July 2002, A Stream Corridor Protection Strategy for Local Governments, http://www.virginia.edu/~envneg/IEN_home/htm.

US Department of Agriculture/Soil Conservation Service, Agricultural Handbook 296, USGPO, Washington, D.C.

US Department of Agriculture/Soil Conservation Service, 1981, Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, USGPO, Washington, D.C.

US Department of Agriculture/Soil Conservation Service, National Resources Inventory, www.usda/nrcs.gov/technical/NRI

U.S. EPA, 2005, Protecting Water Resources with Smart Growth, Publication EPA 231-R-04-002, www.smartgrowth.org

Water QualityWater Quality Assessment Assessment

Biological:Biological: bacteria, algae, aquatic insects, fish, bacteria, algae, aquatic insects, fish, vegetationvegetation

Physical:Physical: temperature, turbidity and clarity, temperature, turbidity and clarity, color, salinity, suspended solids, dissolved solids, color, salinity, suspended solids, dissolved solids, flow, flow,

Chemical:Chemical: pH, dissolved oxygen, biological pH, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, nutrients (including nitrogen and oxygen demand, nutrients (including nitrogen and phosphorus), organic and inorganic compounds phosphorus), organic and inorganic compounds (including toxics) (including toxics)

Aesthetic:Aesthetic: odors, taints, color, floating matter odors, taints, color, floating matter

Biological AssessmentBiological Assessment Many types of bacteria are found in natural waters. Many types of bacteria are found in natural waters.

For the most part bacteria are beneficial; breaking For the most part bacteria are beneficial; breaking down organic material and thus releasing nutrients down organic material and thus releasing nutrients back into the water. Nutrients that are then used for back into the water. Nutrients that are then used for growth of algae and plants. growth of algae and plants.

Other bacteria in water, when found in large numbers, Other bacteria in water, when found in large numbers, may cause illness and death in people and animals.may cause illness and death in people and animals.

These bacteria are known as pathogens. The source These bacteria are known as pathogens. The source of these pathogens is typically human and animal of these pathogens is typically human and animal feces entering the waterways through direct feces entering the waterways through direct discharge or indirectly from surface runoff.discharge or indirectly from surface runoff.

Testing of bacteria is routinely performed on many Testing of bacteria is routinely performed on many waterways; but it is time consuming and fairly waterways; but it is time consuming and fairly expensive. expensive.

Biological AssessmentBiological Assessment Many types of insects live part of their life cycles Many types of insects live part of their life cycles

in water.in water. Aquatic insects are often sensitive to pollutants Aquatic insects are often sensitive to pollutants

in water. This tolerance of different organisms to in water. This tolerance of different organisms to water pollution has been measured. water pollution has been measured.

This information can be used to indirectly assess This information can be used to indirectly assess water quality. water quality.

By sampling the water, the presence or absence By sampling the water, the presence or absence of different organisms can be quantified.of different organisms can be quantified.

Conclusions about the water quality can be Conclusions about the water quality can be drawn from this information.drawn from this information.

Biological AssessmentBiological Assessment

Fish, worms, mollusks, and Fish, worms, mollusks, and arthropods are other organisms that arthropods are other organisms that are often sensitive to pollutants are often sensitive to pollutants in water. in water.

Assessments of water quality Assessments of water quality can be made by sampling these can be made by sampling these organisms and noting their organisms and noting their relative presence or absence.relative presence or absence.

Physical AssessmentPhysical Assessment The physical characteristics of the The physical characteristics of the

watershed, flood plain, and riparian area watershed, flood plain, and riparian area greatly influence water quality and the greatly influence water quality and the quality and quantity of available habitat for quality and quantity of available habitat for organisms.organisms.

Extremes of water temperature are Extremes of water temperature are moderated by the amount and type of moderated by the amount and type of vegetation in the riparian areas (shading)vegetation in the riparian areas (shading)

The amount of turbidity, suspended solids, The amount of turbidity, suspended solids, dissolved solids directly relates to soils dissolved solids directly relates to soils present in the watershed, also to the present in the watershed, also to the amount of soil disturbance. amount of soil disturbance.

Chemical AssessmentChemical Assessment

pH range in most inland water is 6-9 pH range in most inland water is 6-9 standard units. standard units.

Chemical AssessmentChemical Assessment

The amount of dissolved oxygen is The amount of dissolved oxygen is critical to most aquatic organisms.critical to most aquatic organisms.

Photosynthesis is the primary source Photosynthesis is the primary source of oxygen in most waters. wind-of oxygen in most waters. wind-driven wave aeration and aeration driven wave aeration and aeration by falling water can also be by falling water can also be significant. significant.

Chemical AssessmentChemical Assessment

Nitrogen CycleNitrogen Cycle

http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/102/ecosystem.html

Chemical AssessmentChemical Assessment

PhosphorusPhosphorus

http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/102/ecosystem.html

Water Assessment Water Assessment ResourcesResources

Good source of information on fish identification Good source of information on fish identification and related activities: and related activities: http://www.spart5.k12.sc.us/techtraining/thttp://www.spart5.k12.sc.us/techtraining/teacher/webpages/SCFish/sc_fish_activitieseacher/webpages/SCFish/sc_fish_activities.htm .htm

Information on different nutrient and gas Information on different nutrient and gas cycles: cycles: http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/102/ecosyshttp://www.marietta.edu/~biol/102/ecosystem.htmltem.html

Water ProtectionWater Protection and and

RegulationRegulation

Clean Water Act Clean Water ActSafe Drinking Safe Drinking Water ActWater Act

Wellhead ProtectionWellhead Protection Underground Injection ControlUnderground Injection Control

Sole Source AquiferSole Source Aquifer

www.purdue.edu/dp/envirosoft/groundwater/src/epa.www.purdue.edu/dp/envirosoft/groundwater/src/epa.htmhtm