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Water on Earth

Terms in this set (84)

salt water vs. freshwater
salt- saline
fresh- nonsaline
-there is more saltwater than freshwater on earth
-71% of earth's surface is salt water
-freshwater covers 2.2% of earth's surface
-salt water on earth = 96-97% of all water
Salt Water- Marine
-evaporation of salt water accounts for most precipitation on earth
-hydrologic cycle (water cycle): infiltration, seepage, groundwater storage, sublimation, desublimation, surface runoff, evapotranspiration
infiltration
the movement of surface water into rock or soil through cracks and pore spaces
seepage
Water leaking through soil
-creates springs
groundwater storage
water stored underground usually in aquifers
sublimation
solid to gas (snow -> humidity- water vapor)
desublimation
gas to solid (water vapor -> snow)
surface runoff
Water flowing off the land into bodies of surface water
evapotranspiration
The evaporation of water from soil plus the transpiration of water from plants
salt water natural capital
ecological value
-climate moderation (specific heat of water vs. land)
-CO2 absorption (photosynthesis by plankton)
-waste treatment
-reduced storm impact (wetlands, etc.)
-scientific information
-nutrient cycling
-food (humans, animals, pets)
-pharmaceuticals
-harbors and transportation routes
-coastal habitats for humans
-employment
-oil + natural gas
-minerals
specific heat of water vs. land
water holds heat longer and takes longer to release it
ocean layers are distinguished by:
-amt of light (affects photosynthesis)
-temperature
-dissolved oxygen (all organisms respire-breathe to break down glucose- and need oxygen for energy production)
-food availability
euphotic zone
eu= good, photic= light; bright lit upper zone
-organisms: phytoplankton (phyto=plant like)- small + microscopic organisms drifting or floating in sea that produce 50-85% of oxygen in earth's atmosphere (much more than rainforests); large predatory fish such as shark or swordfish
bathyal zone
middle layer, little to no light penetration
-too dark for photosynthetic organisms
-organisms: Nekton community- swimming organisms such as small fish that migrate to surface at night to feed + sea turtles
abyssal zone
lowest layer of ocean
-no light but rich in animal life-> nutrients (decayed organisms)
-benthos community: organisms feed on dead + decaying organic matter that has fallen from upper layers of ocean such as deposit feeders (extract nutrients from mud- worms) + filter feeders (extract nutrients from sea water- oysters, clams)
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