Chapter 10-Water: Hydrologic Cycle and Human Use

The degree to which water is pure enough to fulfill the requirements of various uses

The amount of water available to meet demands

Water having a salt concentration below 0.1%; as a result of purification by evaporation, all forms of precipitation are freshwater, as are lakes, rivers, groundwater, and other bodies of water that have a throughflow of water from precipitation

Water that contains at least 3% salt (30 parts salt per 1,000 parts water), typical of oceans and seas

A mixture of freshwater and saltwater, typically found where rivers enter the ocean

Water that contains minerals, especially calcium or magnesium, that cause soap to precipitate, producing a scum, curd, or scale in boilers

Water that is relatively free of minerals

Water that contains one or more impurities, making it unsuitable for a desired use

Water that has pollutants removed or is rendered harmless

Water from precipitation that runs off of land surfaces in surges

Water in vapor form originating from water bodies, the soil, and organisms-the source of water for precipitation. Water vapor

Precipitation, renewable surface water runoff and groundwater recharge-the focus of management and the main source of water for human withdrawals and natural ecosystems. Liquid water

Also called the hydrologic cycle; the movement of water from points of evaporation, through the atmosphere, through precipitation, and through or over the ground, returning to points of evaporation

Water rising to the atmosphere

The loss of water vapor as it moves from the soil through green plants and exits through leaf pores, or stomata

Formation of liquid water from a gas state

Release of water from clouds in form of rain, sleet, snow, or hail

The amount of water vapor in the air

The amount of water vapor as a percentage of what the air can hold at a particular temperature. Humidity is usually measures using this

Droplets that form in the atmosphere

Droplets that form on the cool surfaces of vegetation

Microscopic liquid or solids particles originating from land and water surfaces

Occurs when warm air rises, expands and cools (lower pressure)

Occurs when the air descends and is compressed by the higher air pressure in the lower atmosphere