the hydrosphere - weebly · the hydrosphere apr 1111:31 am the hydrosphere inland waters inland...
TRANSCRIPT
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Apr 1111:52 AM
Water, water, water!
Remember that over two thirds of the Earth's surface is covered in water. The water fills oceans, seas, lakes and rivers. And water is also found underground, as well as in the atmosphere (in the form of vapour) and in glaciers (in the form of snow and ice).
This is one of the reasons why Earth is nicknamed "The Blue Planet"
This layer of water that envelops the Earth (on, in and above it) is called the Hydrosphere.
Apr 1111:31 AM
The Hydrosphere
Most of the water on Earth is salt water.
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The Hydrosphere
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The Hydrosphere
Almost 70%!
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The Hydrosphere
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The Hydrosphere
Inland Waters
Inland waters consist in water found on the continents, as opposed to water found in the oceans. This water fall to earth as rain or snow, runs into streams, infiltrates the ground, seeps into natural cracks in rocks and minerals, flows into lakes and river and more.
On land, the path water takes may be full of twists and turns. A drop of water can fall to the ground, seep into a crevice, travel underground and emerge in a river 100 km away.
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Apr 1111:31 AM
The HydrosphereWatersheds (also called Catchment Areas)
To manage and preserve inland waters, hydrologists (water specialists) divide a territory into watersheds.
A watershed is an area of land whose lakes and rivers all empty into the same larger body of water. The limits of a watershed are determined by natural boundaries, formed by virtual lines along the crest of nearby mountains, hills or other high ground.
The boundaries are called watershed divides. The natural slope of the land causes the waters to flow in the same direction.
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The Hydrosphere
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The HydrosphereMany aspects of the surrounding land and climate can affect how water flows within a watershed, either slowing down the flow by placing obstacles in the water's path or accelerating the course.
The following are a few examples of these factors:
topography: the shape, slope and terrain of the area geology: the type, depth and structure of the rock. climate: rain or snowfall, winds and temperature. vegetation: its density and diversity agriculural, industrial and urban development
Apr 1111:31 AM
The HydrosphereOCEANS!
The continents divide the ocean waters covering the Earth into five main areas: the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Arctic Ocean, and the Southern Ocean. Along the edges of these oceans, closer to the coastlines lie smaller and shallower seas.
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The HydrosphereOCEANS!
Ocean waters are moved by currents that carry them all around the world.
Water Temperature in the oceans can change greatly and it depends on a few factors.
Depth: Sunlight penetrates the upper layers of the oceans and warms the water. Since solar energy does not reach very far, water temperature falls rapidly below the 200 m mark.
Seasons: Seasons can also vary the temperature. In the winter, the ocean loses some of the heat it stores during the summer.
Latitude: Latitude also greatly influences water temperature. Oceans near the equator for example are often much warmer than other oceans.
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The HydrosphereOCEANS!
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The HydrosphereOCEANS!
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The HydrosphereOCEANS!
Salinity is another important parameter in ocean studies.
Seawater is continually pounding against rocks of the lithosphere which makes salt dissolve in them.
Since salt does not evaporate, they become concentrated in the water giving it a salty taste.
Salinity is a measure of the amount of salt dissolved in a liquid.
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Mar 207:38 AM
Oceans Recap
Important Parameters in the study of Oceans:
• Water Temperature > The water temperature of oceans is
influenced by the following parameters:– Depth – Seasons – Latitude
• Salinity> The salinity (concentration of salt in
the water) of oceans is influenced by the following parameters:– Heat and Drought– Melting Pack Ice and Glaciers
Apr 1111:31 AM
The HydrosphereOCEAN Circulation
The water in the oceans is in constant motion. This movement is not only a question of waves and tides but also the result of the continual circulation od ocean currents, both on the surface of the water and in its depths.
Ocean Current is the movement of seawater in a certain direction.
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The Hydrosphere
OCEAN Circulation
There are two main types of ocean currents: surface currents and subsurface currents. The two types are closely connected and together form the patterns of movement that make up ocean circulation.
Surface CurrentsSurface currents are mostly wind driven. These currents move horizontally, usually in the first 400 m of water below the surface.
Subsurface CurrentsAt depths of more than 800 m, winds no longer affect ocean circulation. Deep currents prevail here.
Apr 1111:31 AM
The Hydrosphere OCEANS!
Thermohaline CirculationSurface and subsurface currents are closely interconnected and form a huge conveyor belt that moves water all around the world. This movement is called thermohaline circulation.
It is responsible for major transfers of heat around the world. Without it, the differences in temperature between the equator and the poles would be much more dramatic.
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The HydrosphereThe Cryosphere
The Cryosphere is the portion of the Earth's surface where water is found in solid form. It consists of pack ice, glaciers, frozen lakes and rivers, vast expanses of snow and the ice in permafrost.
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The Hydrosphere
Pack Ice vs Glaciers
Pack Ice: ice floating on the oceans near the North and South Poles
Glaciers: a mass of ice on land formed by compressed snow
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Apr 1111:31 AM
The HydrospherePack Ice vs Glaciers
Apr 1111:31 AM
The HydrospherePack Ice vs Glaciers
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The HydrosphereEnergy Resources
The force of moving water represents a tremendous source of energy: hydraulic energy. Transforming it into electricity is a huge challenge because it needs enormous facilities to generate and distribute the electricity.
Apr 1111:31 AM
The HydrosphereHydraulic Energy
Thanks to the impressive discharge (rate of flow) of its rivers, Quebec generates almost all of its electricity in hydroelectric power plants.
How do these plants work?
First a dam is built across a river to hold back its water. The water level rises, filling huge artificial reservoirs, which put pressure on the dam.
To produce electricity, the dam gates are opened, and the water rushes through large pipes that lead to turbines. The force of the water spins the turbines which are connected to alternators that convert the mechanical energy into an electric current.
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Apr 1111:31 AM
The HydrosphereWaves and Ocean Currents
Waves and ocean currents also contain large amounts of energy. Engineers are developing systems to transform this energy into electrical power.
What underwater turbines could look like.
Apr 129:18 AM