Reservoirs of the Mizu Cycle
What does Mizu mean again?
What do you think of when you hear the word
reservoir?
Living in Utah, most of us will think of a man made
lake that stores needed water. Many of us have
been swimming, fishing, or boating at these
reservoirs. Many places in the country and
around the world do not have these reservoirs
though. There is a broader definition that we will
use as we discuss all of our cycles this year. A
reservoir is a place where substances are stored
as part of a cycle. The water cycle has many
places where water is stored.
Amount of Water in Each Reservoir
Reservoirs
Percentages
Fraction
Oceans
97%
97/100
Icecaps/Glaciers
2%
2/100
Groundwater
.7%
.7/100 or 7/1000
Atmosphere
.01%
.01/100 or 1/10,000
Freshwater Lakes
.3%
.3/100 or 3/1,000
Saline lakes and
Inland Seas
.01%
.01/100 or 1/10,000
Rivers
.001%
.001/100 or 1/100,000
Groundwater pg. 169
• Groundwater is the water that is beneath the
Earth’s surface
• This is one of the most important reservoirs for
human use
• An aquifer is a body
of rock or sediment that
stores groundwater
and allows the
flow of groundwater.
• Porosity - the amount of space
between the particles that make up
a rock.
• Permeability is the ability of a rock
or sediment to let fluids pass
through its open spaces or pores.
• Is anyone thinking what I am
thinking?
– SPONGEBOB!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap
dFtOItWp4
Recharge Zone
• The recharge zone is an area in which water travels
downward to become part of an aquifer
– What is needed for an area to be a recharge zone?
Lakes, Ponds, Streams and Rivers
• Hold a miniscule amount of water compared to
other reservoirs
• Important for lots of recreational activities
• Can be man made (Lake Powell for example)
• Rivers and Streams can be diverted for use
– What problem can this cause, lets say for the people
down stream?
Icebergs and Glaciers/Ice Caps
• Holds a good amount of the freshwater
• Have considered towing icebergs and melting
them for water, but it is very expensive
Oceans
• Biggest reservoir in the water cycle!
– Why can’t we use the water for drinking?
• Will have a whole unit on this later!
Atmosphere
• Very important part of the water cycle
– Why do you think it is an important part?
– My thoughts: It transfers the water from one place
to the other
• Water doesn’t stay in this reservoir for long, it
is more of a transportation way
Homework
• Read pages 158-161 and answer
questions 5, 8 and 9 on page 162.
Due Thursday (8/29)