Difference between revisions of "Water" - New World Encyclopedia
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:''This article focuses on water as it is experienced in everyday life. See [[water (molecule)]] for information on the chemical and physical properties of pure water (H<sub>2</sub>O, hydrogen oxide).'' | :''This article focuses on water as it is experienced in everyday life. See [[water (molecule)]] for information on the chemical and physical properties of pure water (H<sub>2</sub>O, hydrogen oxide).'' | ||
| − | '''Water''' (from the [[Old English language|Old English]] word ''wæter''; c.f [[German language|German]] "Wasser", | + | '''Water''' (from the [[Old English language|Old English]] word ''wæter''; c.f [[German language|German]] "Wasser", from [[Proto-Indo-European|PIE]] ''*wod-or'', "water") is a [[taste]]less, [[odor]]less, and nearly [[color]]less (it has a slight hint of blue) substance in its pure form that is essential to all known forms of [[life]] and is known also as the most ''universal [[solvent]]''. Water is an abundant substance on [[Earth]]. It exists in many places and forms: mostly in the [[oceans]] and polar [[ice cap]]s, but also as [[cloud]]s, [[rain|rain water]], [[river|rivers]], freshwater [[aquifer]]s, and [[sea ice]]. On the planet, water is continuously moving through the [[water cycle|cycle]] involving [[evaporation]], [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]], and [[runoff (water)|runoff]] to the [[sea]]. |
| − | Water is | + | Water fit for [[human]] consumption is called [[potable water]]. This natural resource is becoming more scarce in certain places as human population in those places increases, and its availability is a major social and economic concern. |
| − | + | == Molecular properties == | |
| + | === Forms of water === | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
[[Image:Drinkingwater.JPG|thumb|[[Drinking water]]]] | [[Image:Drinkingwater.JPG|thumb|[[Drinking water]]]] | ||
{{seedetails|:Category:Forms of water}} | {{seedetails|:Category:Forms of water}} | ||
Water takes many different shapes on earth: [[water vapor]] and [[cloud]]s in the sky, [[wave]]s and [[iceberg]]s in the [[sea]], [[glacier]]s in the [[mountain]], [[aquifers]] in the ground, to name but a few. Through [[evaporation]], [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]], and [[runoff (water)|runoff]], water is continuously flowing from one form to another, in what is called the '''[[water cycle]]'''. | Water takes many different shapes on earth: [[water vapor]] and [[cloud]]s in the sky, [[wave]]s and [[iceberg]]s in the [[sea]], [[glacier]]s in the [[mountain]], [[aquifers]] in the ground, to name but a few. Through [[evaporation]], [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]], and [[runoff (water)|runoff]], water is continuously flowing from one form to another, in what is called the '''[[water cycle]]'''. | ||
| − | Because of the importance of precipitation to [[agriculture]], and to [[mankind]] in general, | + | Because of the importance of precipitation to [[agriculture]], and to [[mankind]] in general, different names are given to its various forms: while [[rain]] is common in most countries, other phenomena are quite surprising when seen for the first time. [[Hail]], [[snow]], [[fog]] or [[dew]] are examples. When appropriately lit, water drops in the air can [[refract]] [[sunlight]] to produce [[rainbow|rainbows]]. |
| − | Similarly, water runoffs have played major roles in human history | + | Similarly, water runoffs have played major roles in human history as [[river]]s and [[irrigation]] brought the water needed for agriculture. Rivers and [[sea]]s offered opportunity for [[travel]] and [[commerce]]. Through [[erosion]], runoffs played a major part in shaping the environment providing river [[valley]]s and [[delta]]s which provide rich soil and level ground for the establishment of population centers. |
Water also infiltrates the ground and goes into [[aquifer]]s. This [[groundwater]] later flows back to the surface in [[spring (water)|springs]], or more spectacularly in [[hot spring]]s and [[geyser]]s. Groundwater is also extracted artificially in [[well]]s. | Water also infiltrates the ground and goes into [[aquifer]]s. This [[groundwater]] later flows back to the surface in [[spring (water)|springs]], or more spectacularly in [[hot spring]]s and [[geyser]]s. Groundwater is also extracted artificially in [[well]]s. | ||
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Because water can contain many different substances, it can taste or smell very differently. In fact, humans and other animals have developed their senses to be able to evaluate the drinkability of water: animals generally dislike the taste of [[salt]]y [[sea water]] and the putrid [[swamp]]s and favor the purer water of a mountain spring or aquifer. | Because water can contain many different substances, it can taste or smell very differently. In fact, humans and other animals have developed their senses to be able to evaluate the drinkability of water: animals generally dislike the taste of [[salt]]y [[sea water]] and the putrid [[swamp]]s and favor the purer water of a mountain spring or aquifer. | ||
| − | === | + | === Water in biology === |
| − | + | From a [[biology|biological]] standpoint, water has many distinct properties that are critical for the proliferation of [[life]] that set it apart from other substances. Water carries out this role by allowing [[organic compound]]s to react in ways that ultimately allows [[replication]]. It is a good [[solvent]] and has a high [[surface tension]], and thus allows organic compounds and living things to be transported in it. Fresh water has its greatest [[density]] at 4°[[Celsius|C]], then becoming less dense as it [[freezing|freezes]] or [[heat]]s up from this point. As a stable, [[polar molecule]] prevalent in the atmosphere, it plays an important atmospheric role as an absorber of [[infrared radiation]], crucial in the atmospheric [[greenhouse effect]] without of which, the average surface temperature would be −18° Celsius. Water also has an unusually high [[specific heat capacity|specific heat]], which plays many roles in regulating global and regional [[climate]], such as the [[Gulf Stream]] climate, allowing life to survive. | |
| − | Water is a very good [[solvent]], chemically not unlike [[ammonia]], and dissolves many types of substances, such as various | + | Water is a very good [[solvent]], chemically not unlike [[ammonia]], and dissolves many types of substances, such as various [[salt]]s and [[sugar]], and facilitates their [[chemical reaction|chemical interaction]], which aids complex [[metabolism]]s. |
Some substances, however, do not mix well with water, including [[oil]]s and other [[hydrophobic]] substances. [[Cell membrane]]s, composed of [[lipid]]s and [[protein]]s, take advantage of this property to carefully control interactions between their contents and external chemicals. This is facilitated somewhat by the surface tension of water. | Some substances, however, do not mix well with water, including [[oil]]s and other [[hydrophobic]] substances. [[Cell membrane]]s, composed of [[lipid]]s and [[protein]]s, take advantage of this property to carefully control interactions between their contents and external chemicals. This is facilitated somewhat by the surface tension of water. | ||
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While this behavior may seem obvious, even intuitive, it should be noted that almost all other chemicals are denser as solids than they are as liquids, and freeze from the bottom up. | While this behavior may seem obvious, even intuitive, it should be noted that almost all other chemicals are denser as solids than they are as liquids, and freeze from the bottom up. | ||
| − | Life on earth has evolved with and | + | Life on earth has evolved with and adapted itself to the important features of water. The existence of abundant liquid, vapor and solid forms of water on Earth has been an important factor in the abundant colonization of Earth's various environments by life-forms adapted to those varying and often extreme conditions. |
| − | + | Civilizations have historically flourished around rivers and major waterways; [[Mesopotamia]], the so-called cradle of civilization, is situated between two major rivers. Large metropolises like London, Paris, New York, and Tokyo owe their success in part to their easy accessibility via water and the resultant expansion of trade. Islands with safe water ports, like Singapore and Hong Kong, have flourished for precisely this reason. In places such as North Africa and the Middle East, where water is scarcer, access to clean drinking water was and is a major factor in human development. | |
| + | |||
| + | == Astronomical position of Earth and impact on its water == | ||
| − | |||
[[Image:Water_droplet.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Impact of a water droplet.]] | [[Image:Water_droplet.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Impact of a water droplet.]] | ||
| − | The coexistence of the solid, liquid, and gaseous phases of water on Earth is vital to the [[Origin of life|origin]], [[evolution]], and continued existence of life on Earth | + | The coexistence of the solid, liquid, and gaseous phases of water on Earth is vital to the [[Origin of life|origin]], [[evolution]], and continued existence of life on Earth. However, if the Earth's location in the [[solar system]] were even marginally closer or further from the [[Sun]], the conditions which allow the three forms to be present simultaneously would be far less likely to exist. |
Earth's mass allows [[gravity]] to hold an [[atmosphere]]. [[Water vapor]] and [[carbon dioxide]] in the atmosphere provides a [[greenhouse effect]] which helps maintain a relatively steady surface temperature. If Earth were less massive, a thinner atmosphere would cause temperature extremes preventing the accumulation of water except in [[polar ice cap]]s (as on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]]). According to the [[solar nebula]] model of the solar system's formation, Earth's mass may be largely due to its distance from the Sun. | Earth's mass allows [[gravity]] to hold an [[atmosphere]]. [[Water vapor]] and [[carbon dioxide]] in the atmosphere provides a [[greenhouse effect]] which helps maintain a relatively steady surface temperature. If Earth were less massive, a thinner atmosphere would cause temperature extremes preventing the accumulation of water except in [[polar ice cap]]s (as on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]]). According to the [[solar nebula]] model of the solar system's formation, Earth's mass may be largely due to its distance from the Sun. | ||
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The distance between Earth and the Sun and the combination of solar radiation received and the greenhouse effect of the atmosphere ensures that its surface is neither too cold nor too hot for liquid water. If Earth were more distant, most water would be frozen. If Earth were nearer to the Sun, its higher surface temperature would limit the formation of ice caps, or cause water to exist only as vapor. In the former case, the low [[albedo]] of [[ocean]]s would cause Earth to absorb more solar energy. In the second case, a runaway [[greenhouse effect]] and inhospitable conditions similar to [[Venus (planet)|Venus]] would result. | The distance between Earth and the Sun and the combination of solar radiation received and the greenhouse effect of the atmosphere ensures that its surface is neither too cold nor too hot for liquid water. If Earth were more distant, most water would be frozen. If Earth were nearer to the Sun, its higher surface temperature would limit the formation of ice caps, or cause water to exist only as vapor. In the former case, the low [[albedo]] of [[ocean]]s would cause Earth to absorb more solar energy. In the second case, a runaway [[greenhouse effect]] and inhospitable conditions similar to [[Venus (planet)|Venus]] would result. | ||
| − | It has been proposed that life itself may maintain the conditions that have allowed its continued existence. The surface temperature of Earth has been relatively constant through [[geologic time]] despite varying solar flux, indicating that a dynamic process governs Earth's temperature via a combination of greenhouse gases and surface or atmospheric albedo. | + | It has been proposed that life itself may maintain the conditions that have allowed its continued existence. The surface temperature of Earth has been relatively constant through [[geologic time]] despite varying solar flux, indicating that a dynamic process governs Earth's temperature via a combination of greenhouse gases and surface or atmospheric albedo. This proposal is known as the ''[[Gaia hypothesis]]''. |
| + | |||
| + | == Human uses of water == | ||
| − | |||
[[Image:Sprinkler03.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Water pressure in a sprinkler]] | [[Image:Sprinkler03.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Water pressure in a sprinkler]] | ||
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Humans require water that does not contain too much salt or other impurities. Common impurities include chemicals and/or harmful [[bacterium|bacteria]], such as crypto sporidium. Some solutes are acceptable and even desirable for perceived taste enhancement and to provide needed [[electrolytes]]. | Humans require water that does not contain too much salt or other impurities. Common impurities include chemicals and/or harmful [[bacterium|bacteria]], such as crypto sporidium. Some solutes are acceptable and even desirable for perceived taste enhancement and to provide needed [[electrolytes]]. | ||
| − | === | + | ===Water as a precious resource=== |
:''See [[water resources]] for information about [[fresh water]] supplies.'' | :''See [[water resources]] for information about [[fresh water]] supplies.'' | ||
| − | + | [[Image:Evstafiev-bosnia-sarajevo-water-line.jpg|thumb|People queue to gather water during the [[Siege of Sarajevo]]. Photo by Mikhail Evstafiev]] | |
| − | Because of the growth of [[world population]] and other factors, the availability of drinking water per | + | Because of the growth of [[world population]] and other factors, the availability of drinking water [[per capita]] is shrinking. The issue of water shortage can be solved through more production, better distribution and less waste of it. For this reason, water is a strategic resource for many countries. Many battles and wars, such as the [[Six-Day War]] in the [[Middle East]], have been fought to gain access to it. Experts predict more trouble ahead because of the world's growing [[world population|population]], increasing contamination through [[water pollution|pollution]], and [[global warming]]. |
[[UNESCO]]'s World Water Development Report (WWDR, 2003) from its World Water Assessment Program indicates that, in the next 20 years, the quantity of water available to everyone is predicted to decrease by 30%. 40% of the world's inhabitants currently have insufficient fresh water for minimal [[hygiene]]. More than 2.2 million people died in [[2000]] from [[disease]]s related to the consumption of contaminated water or [[drought]]. In 2004, the [[United Kingdom|UK]] [[charity]] [[WaterAid]] reported that a child dies every 15 seconds due to easily preventable water-related diseases. | [[UNESCO]]'s World Water Development Report (WWDR, 2003) from its World Water Assessment Program indicates that, in the next 20 years, the quantity of water available to everyone is predicted to decrease by 30%. 40% of the world's inhabitants currently have insufficient fresh water for minimal [[hygiene]]. More than 2.2 million people died in [[2000]] from [[disease]]s related to the consumption of contaminated water or [[drought]]. In 2004, the [[United Kingdom|UK]] [[charity]] [[WaterAid]] reported that a child dies every 15 seconds due to easily preventable water-related diseases. | ||
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Some have predicted that clean water will become the "next [[oil]]", making [[Canada]], with this resource in abundance, possibly the richest country in the world. | Some have predicted that clean water will become the "next [[oil]]", making [[Canada]], with this resource in abundance, possibly the richest country in the world. | ||
| − | === | + | === Regulating water distribution === |
Drinking water is often collected at [[spring (water)|springs]] or extracted from artificial [[boring]]s in the ground, or [[well]]s. Building more wells in adequate places is thus a possible way to produce more water assuming the [[aquifer]]s can supply an adequate flow. Other water sources are the rainwater and river or lake water. This surface water, however, must be [[water purification|purified]] for human consumption. Popular methods for purifying water are [[Filter (water)|filtering]], [[boiling]] and [[distillation]]. More advanced techniques exist, such as [[reverse osmosis]]. [[Desalination]] of abundant [[ocean]] or [[seawater]] is a more expensive solution used in coastal [[arid]] [[climate]]s. | Drinking water is often collected at [[spring (water)|springs]] or extracted from artificial [[boring]]s in the ground, or [[well]]s. Building more wells in adequate places is thus a possible way to produce more water assuming the [[aquifer]]s can supply an adequate flow. Other water sources are the rainwater and river or lake water. This surface water, however, must be [[water purification|purified]] for human consumption. Popular methods for purifying water are [[Filter (water)|filtering]], [[boiling]] and [[distillation]]. More advanced techniques exist, such as [[reverse osmosis]]. [[Desalination]] of abundant [[ocean]] or [[seawater]] is a more expensive solution used in coastal [[arid]] [[climate]]s. | ||
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The distribution of drinking water is done through [[municipal water system]]s or as [[bottled water]]. Governments in many countries have programs to distribute water to the needy at no charge. Others argue that the [[market]] mechanism and [[free enterprise]] are best to manage this rare resource, and to finance the boring of wells or the construction of [[dam]]s and [[reservoir]]s. | The distribution of drinking water is done through [[municipal water system]]s or as [[bottled water]]. Governments in many countries have programs to distribute water to the needy at no charge. Others argue that the [[market]] mechanism and [[free enterprise]] are best to manage this rare resource, and to finance the boring of wells or the construction of [[dam]]s and [[reservoir]]s. | ||
| − | Reducing waste, that is using drinking water only for human consumption, is another option. In some cities, such as [[Hong Kong]], sea water is extensively used for flushing toilets citywide in order to conserve fresh water resources. [[Water pollution|Polluting water]] may be the biggest single misuse of water; to the extent that a pollutant limits other uses of the water, it becomes a waste of the resource, regardless of benefits to the | + | Reducing waste, that is using drinking water only for human consumption, is another option. In some cities, such as [[Hong Kong]], sea water is extensively used for flushing toilets citywide in order to conserve fresh water resources. [[Water pollution|Polluting water]] may be the biggest single misuse of water; to the extent that a pollutant limits other uses of the water, it becomes a waste of the resource, regardless of benefits to the pollutor. [[Pharmaceuticals]] consumed by humans often end up in the waterways and can have detrimental effects on [[aquatic]] life if they [[bioaccumulation| bioaccumulate]] and if they are not [[biodegradable]]. |
| − | == | + | ==The impact of water on human culture== |
| − | Water is considered a purifier in most religions, including [[Christianity]], [[Islam]], [[Judaism]], and [[Shinto]]. For instance, [[baptism]] in Christian churches is done with water. In addition, a ritual bath in pure water is performed for the dead in many religions including Judaism and Islam. | + | Water is considered a purifier in most religions, including [[Christianity]], [[Islam]], [[Judaism]], and [[Shinto]]. For instance, [[baptism]] in Christian churches is done with water. In addition, a ritual bath in pure water is performed for the dead in many religions including Judaism and Islam. In Islam, the daily [[Salah]] can only be done after [[ablution]] ([[Wodoo]]), that is, washing parts of the body in clean water. In [[Shinto]], water is used in almost all rituals to cleanse a person or an area. |
| − | Water is often | + | Water is often believed to have spiritual powers. In [[Celtic mythology]], [[Sulis]] is the local [[goddess]] of thermal springs; in [[Hinduism]], the [[Ganga]] is also personified as a goddess. Alternatively, gods can be patrons of particular springs, river or lakes: for example in [[Greek mythology|Greek]] and [[Roman mythology|Roman]] [[mythology]], [[Peneus]] was a river god, one of the three thousand [[Oceanids]]. |
The [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] [[philosopher]] [[Empedocles]] held that water is one of the four [[classical element]]s along with [[fire]], [[earth]] and [[air]], and was regarded as the [[ylem]], or basic stuff of the universe. Water was considered cold and moist. In the theory of the four [[bodily humour]]s, water was associated with [[phlegm]]. [[Water (classical element)|Water]] was also one of the [[Five Elements]] in traditional [[Chinese philosophy]], along with [[earth (classical element)|earth]], [[fire (classical element)|fire]], [[wood (classical element)|wood]], and [[metal (classical element)|metal]]. | The [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] [[philosopher]] [[Empedocles]] held that water is one of the four [[classical element]]s along with [[fire]], [[earth]] and [[air]], and was regarded as the [[ylem]], or basic stuff of the universe. Water was considered cold and moist. In the theory of the four [[bodily humour]]s, water was associated with [[phlegm]]. [[Water (classical element)|Water]] was also one of the [[Five Elements]] in traditional [[Chinese philosophy]], along with [[earth (classical element)|earth]], [[fire (classical element)|fire]], [[wood (classical element)|wood]], and [[metal (classical element)|metal]]. | ||
| − | A common misconception about water is that it is a powerful conductor of [[electricity]]. Any electrical properties observable in water are due to the [[ions]] of mineral salts dissolved in it. Water does self-ionize ( | + | A common misconception about water is that it is a powerful conductor of [[electricity]]. Any electrical properties observable in water are due to the [[ions]] of mineral salts and [[carbon dioxide]] dissolved in it. Water does self-ionize (two water molecules become one hydroxide anion and one hydronium cation), but only at a very slight, almost immeasurable level. Pure water can also be [[electrolysis|electrolized]] into oxygen and hydrogen gases but without any dissolved ions, this is a very slow process and thus very little current is conducted. Many [[bottled water]] companies exploit another common misconception, advertising both [[purity]] and [[taste]], even though pure water is tasteless. |
== See also == | == See also == | ||
| − | * [[ | + | |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Dehydration]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Desalination]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Dihydrogen monoxide hoax]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Double distilled water]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Drought]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Ecohydrology]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Evapotranspiration]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Flood]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Flume]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Fountain]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Fresh water]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Heavy water]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Holy water]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Hydrography]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Hydrology]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Irrigation]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Mineral water]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Spring water]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Precipitation (meteorology)]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Rain]] |
| + | * [[Sea water]] | ||
| + | * [[Transvasement]] | ||
| + | * [[Wastewater]] | ||
* [[WaterAid]] | * [[WaterAid]] | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Water (molecule)]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Water quality]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Water quality modelling]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Water resources]] |
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Water industry]] |
| + | * [[Water ionizer]] | ||
* [[World Ocean Day]] | * [[World Ocean Day]] | ||
* [[World Water Day]] | * [[World Water Day]] | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
| + | |||
{{commons|water}} | {{commons|water}} | ||
{{wiktionary}} | {{wiktionary}} | ||
| − | *[http://www.publicforuminstitute.org/issues/oceans/index.htm Oceans and Water Issues Page] | + | * [http://shop.snyderhealth.com/articles.php?tPath=2 The Science of Water] — Articles containing the science of water, and how alkaline or acidic water can affect the body. |
| − | *[http://www.greenfacts.org/water-disinfectants/index.htm Scientific Facts on Water disinfectants] A faithful summary by GreenFacts of a leading scientific consensus report on Drinking Water Disinfectants published by the International Programme on Chemical Safety of the WHO. | + | * [http://www.publicforuminstitute.org/issues/oceans/index.htm Oceans and Water Issues Page] |
| + | * [http://www.greenfacts.org/water-disinfectants/index.htm Scientific Facts on Water disinfectants] A faithful summary by GreenFacts of a leading scientific consensus report on Drinking Water Disinfectants published by the International Programme on Chemical Safety of the WHO. | ||
* [http://www.hkc22.com/residentialwater.html Residential water problems and markets] Study paper from Helmut Kaiser Consultancy | * [http://www.hkc22.com/residentialwater.html Residential water problems and markets] Study paper from Helmut Kaiser Consultancy | ||
* [http://www.hkc22.com/watermarketsworldwide.html Water markets worldwide] Study paper from Helmut Kaiser Consultancy | * [http://www.hkc22.com/watermarketsworldwide.html Water markets worldwide] Study paper from Helmut Kaiser Consultancy | ||
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* [http://www.sahra.arizona.edu/newswatch/ SAHRA—Global Water Newswatch] | * [http://www.sahra.arizona.edu/newswatch/ SAHRA—Global Water Newswatch] | ||
* [http://www.siwi.org/ Stockholm International Water Institute] (SIWI) | * [http://www.siwi.org/ Stockholm International Water Institute] (SIWI) | ||
| + | * [http://www.c-win.org/ California Water Impact Network (C-WIN)] | ||
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3752590.stm BBC: The water debate] | * [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3752590.stm BBC: The water debate] | ||
* [http://www.geocities.com/tapvsbottled/ Tap Water Vs Bottled Water] - Interesting site providing facts about tap and bottled water. | * [http://www.geocities.com/tapvsbottled/ Tap Water Vs Bottled Water] - Interesting site providing facts about tap and bottled water. | ||
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* [http://www.dartmouth.edu/~etrnsfer/water.htm Why is water blue?] | * [http://www.dartmouth.edu/~etrnsfer/water.htm Why is water blue?] | ||
* [http://www.water.org.uk/home/resources-and-links/water-for-health/ask-about/adults Water requirements in adults] | * [http://www.water.org.uk/home/resources-and-links/water-for-health/ask-about/adults Water requirements in adults] | ||
| − | + | * [http://www.hkc22.com/environmentaltechnology.html/ Climate change raises markets for environmental technology, drinking water and clean energies] | |
| + | |||
| + | == References == | ||
| − | |||
* OA Jones, JN Lester and N Voulvoulis, Pharmaceuticals: a threat to drinking water? TRENDS in Biotechnology 23(4): 163, 2005 | * OA Jones, JN Lester and N Voulvoulis, Pharmaceuticals: a threat to drinking water? TRENDS in Biotechnology 23(4): 163, 2005 | ||
| + | [[Category:Physical sciences]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Chemistry]] | ||
[[Category:Water| ]] | [[Category:Water| ]] | ||
[[Category:Beverages]] | [[Category:Beverages]] | ||
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[[Category:Nutrition]] | [[Category:Nutrition]] | ||
[[Category:Oxygen compounds]] | [[Category:Oxygen compounds]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
[[ar:ماء]] | [[ar:ماء]] | ||
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[[vo:Vat]] | [[vo:Vat]] | ||
[[zh:水]] | [[zh:水]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{credit|27752956}} | ||
Revision as of 01:22, 11 November 2005
- This article focuses on water as it is experienced in everyday life. See water (molecule) for information on the chemical and physical properties of pure water (H2O, hydrogen oxide).
Water (from the Old English word wæter; c.f German "Wasser", from PIE *wod-or, "water") is a tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless (it has a slight hint of blue) substance in its pure form that is essential to all known forms of life and is known also as the most universal solvent. Water is an abundant substance on Earth. It exists in many places and forms: mostly in the oceans and polar ice caps, but also as clouds, rain water, rivers, freshwater aquifers, and sea ice. On the planet, water is continuously moving through the cycle involving evaporation, precipitation, and runoff to the sea.
Water fit for human consumption is called potable water. This natural resource is becoming more scarce in certain places as human population in those places increases, and its availability is a major social and economic concern.
Molecular properties
Forms of water
Template:Seedetails Water takes many different shapes on earth: water vapor and clouds in the sky, waves and icebergs in the sea, glaciers in the mountain, aquifers in the ground, to name but a few. Through evaporation, precipitation, and runoff, water is continuously flowing from one form to another, in what is called the water cycle.
Because of the importance of precipitation to agriculture, and to mankind in general, different names are given to its various forms: while rain is common in most countries, other phenomena are quite surprising when seen for the first time. Hail, snow, fog or dew are examples. When appropriately lit, water drops in the air can refract sunlight to produce rainbows.
Similarly, water runoffs have played major roles in human history as rivers and irrigation brought the water needed for agriculture. Rivers and seas offered opportunity for travel and commerce. Through erosion, runoffs played a major part in shaping the environment providing river valleys and deltas which provide rich soil and level ground for the establishment of population centers.
Water also infiltrates the ground and goes into aquifers. This groundwater later flows back to the surface in springs, or more spectacularly in hot springs and geysers. Groundwater is also extracted artificially in wells.
Because water can contain many different substances, it can taste or smell very differently. In fact, humans and other animals have developed their senses to be able to evaluate the drinkability of water: animals generally dislike the taste of salty sea water and the putrid swamps and favor the purer water of a mountain spring or aquifer.
Water in biology
From a biological standpoint, water has many distinct properties that are critical for the proliferation of life that set it apart from other substances. Water carries out this role by allowing organic compounds to react in ways that ultimately allows replication. It is a good solvent and has a high surface tension, and thus allows organic compounds and living things to be transported in it. Fresh water has its greatest density at 4°C, then becoming less dense as it freezes or heats up from this point. As a stable, polar molecule prevalent in the atmosphere, it plays an important atmospheric role as an absorber of infrared radiation, crucial in the atmospheric greenhouse effect without of which, the average surface temperature would be −18° Celsius. Water also has an unusually high specific heat, which plays many roles in regulating global and regional climate, such as the Gulf Stream climate, allowing life to survive.
Water is a very good solvent, chemically not unlike ammonia, and dissolves many types of substances, such as various salts and sugar, and facilitates their chemical interaction, which aids complex metabolisms.
Some substances, however, do not mix well with water, including oils and other hydrophobic substances. Cell membranes, composed of lipids and proteins, take advantage of this property to carefully control interactions between their contents and external chemicals. This is facilitated somewhat by the surface tension of water.
Water drops are stable due to the high surface tension of water. This can be seen when small quantities of water are put onto a nonsoluble surface such as glass: the water stays together as drops. This property plays a key role in plant transpiration.
A simple but environmentally important and unique property of water is that its common solid form, ice, floats on the liquid. This solid phase is less dense than liquid water, due to the geometry of the strong hydrogen bonds which are formed only at lower temperatures. For almost all other substances and for all other 11 uncommon phases of water ice except ice-XI, the solid form is more dense than the liquid form. Fresh water is most dense at 4°C, and will sink by convection as it cools to that temperature, and if it becomes colder it will rise instead. This reversal will cause deep water to remain warmer than shallower freezing water, so that ice in a body of water will form first at the surface and progress downward, while the majority of the water underneath will hold a constant 4°C. This effectively insulates a lake floor from the cold.
While this behavior may seem obvious, even intuitive, it should be noted that almost all other chemicals are denser as solids than they are as liquids, and freeze from the bottom up.
Life on earth has evolved with and adapted itself to the important features of water. The existence of abundant liquid, vapor and solid forms of water on Earth has been an important factor in the abundant colonization of Earth's various environments by life-forms adapted to those varying and often extreme conditions.
Civilizations have historically flourished around rivers and major waterways; Mesopotamia, the so-called cradle of civilization, is situated between two major rivers. Large metropolises like London, Paris, New York, and Tokyo owe their success in part to their easy accessibility via water and the resultant expansion of trade. Islands with safe water ports, like Singapore and Hong Kong, have flourished for precisely this reason. In places such as North Africa and the Middle East, where water is scarcer, access to clean drinking water was and is a major factor in human development.
Astronomical position of Earth and impact on its water
The coexistence of the solid, liquid, and gaseous phases of water on Earth is vital to the origin, evolution, and continued existence of life on Earth. However, if the Earth's location in the solar system were even marginally closer or further from the Sun, the conditions which allow the three forms to be present simultaneously would be far less likely to exist.
Earth's mass allows gravity to hold an atmosphere. Water vapor and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere provides a greenhouse effect which helps maintain a relatively steady surface temperature. If Earth were less massive, a thinner atmosphere would cause temperature extremes preventing the accumulation of water except in polar ice caps (as on Mars). According to the solar nebula model of the solar system's formation, Earth's mass may be largely due to its distance from the Sun.
The distance between Earth and the Sun and the combination of solar radiation received and the greenhouse effect of the atmosphere ensures that its surface is neither too cold nor too hot for liquid water. If Earth were more distant, most water would be frozen. If Earth were nearer to the Sun, its higher surface temperature would limit the formation of ice caps, or cause water to exist only as vapor. In the former case, the low albedo of oceans would cause Earth to absorb more solar energy. In the second case, a runaway greenhouse effect and inhospitable conditions similar to Venus would result.
It has been proposed that life itself may maintain the conditions that have allowed its continued existence. The surface temperature of Earth has been relatively constant through geologic time despite varying solar flux, indicating that a dynamic process governs Earth's temperature via a combination of greenhouse gases and surface or atmospheric albedo. This proposal is known as the Gaia hypothesis.
Human uses of water
All known forms of life depend on water. Water is a vital part of many metabolic processes within the body. Significant quantities of water are used during the digestion of food. (Note however that some bacteria and plant seeds can enter a cryptobiotic state for an indefinite period when dehydrated, and come back to life when returned to a wet environment)
About 72% of the fat free mass of the human body is made of water. To function properly the body requires between one and seven litres of water per day to avoid dehydration, the precise amount depending on the level of activity, temperature, humidity, and other factors. It is not clear how much water intake is needed by healthy people. However, for those who do not have kidney problems, it is rather difficult to drink too much water, but (especially in warm humid weather and while exercising) dangerous to drink too little. People do often drink far more water than necessary while exercising, however, putting them at risk of water intoxication, which is frequently fatal. The "fact" that a person should consume eight glasses of water per day cannot be traced back to a scientific source. However, leading dieticians and nutritionists will tell you that this is the RDI (Recommended Daily Intake) of water. [1]. The latest dietary reference intake report by the National Research Council recommended 2.7 liters of water total (including food sources) for women and 3.7 liters for men[2]. Water is lost from the body in urine and feces, through sweating, and by exhalation of water vapor in the breath.
Humans require water that does not contain too much salt or other impurities. Common impurities include chemicals and/or harmful bacteria, such as crypto sporidium. Some solutes are acceptable and even desirable for perceived taste enhancement and to provide needed electrolytes.
Water as a precious resource
- See water resources for information about fresh water supplies.
Because of the growth of world population and other factors, the availability of drinking water per capita is shrinking. The issue of water shortage can be solved through more production, better distribution and less waste of it. For this reason, water is a strategic resource for many countries. Many battles and wars, such as the Six-Day War in the Middle East, have been fought to gain access to it. Experts predict more trouble ahead because of the world's growing population, increasing contamination through pollution, and global warming.
UNESCO's World Water Development Report (WWDR, 2003) from its World Water Assessment Program indicates that, in the next 20 years, the quantity of water available to everyone is predicted to decrease by 30%. 40% of the world's inhabitants currently have insufficient fresh water for minimal hygiene. More than 2.2 million people died in 2000 from diseases related to the consumption of contaminated water or drought. In 2004, the UK charity WaterAid reported that a child dies every 15 seconds due to easily preventable water-related diseases.
Some have predicted that clean water will become the "next oil", making Canada, with this resource in abundance, possibly the richest country in the world.
Regulating water distribution
Drinking water is often collected at springs or extracted from artificial borings in the ground, or wells. Building more wells in adequate places is thus a possible way to produce more water assuming the aquifers can supply an adequate flow. Other water sources are the rainwater and river or lake water. This surface water, however, must be purified for human consumption. Popular methods for purifying water are filtering, boiling and distillation. More advanced techniques exist, such as reverse osmosis. Desalination of abundant ocean or seawater is a more expensive solution used in coastal arid climates.
The distribution of drinking water is done through municipal water systems or as bottled water. Governments in many countries have programs to distribute water to the needy at no charge. Others argue that the market mechanism and free enterprise are best to manage this rare resource, and to finance the boring of wells or the construction of dams and reservoirs.
Reducing waste, that is using drinking water only for human consumption, is another option. In some cities, such as Hong Kong, sea water is extensively used for flushing toilets citywide in order to conserve fresh water resources. Polluting water may be the biggest single misuse of water; to the extent that a pollutant limits other uses of the water, it becomes a waste of the resource, regardless of benefits to the pollutor. Pharmaceuticals consumed by humans often end up in the waterways and can have detrimental effects on aquatic life if they bioaccumulate and if they are not biodegradable.
The impact of water on human culture
Water is considered a purifier in most religions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Shinto. For instance, baptism in Christian churches is done with water. In addition, a ritual bath in pure water is performed for the dead in many religions including Judaism and Islam. In Islam, the daily Salah can only be done after ablution (Wodoo), that is, washing parts of the body in clean water. In Shinto, water is used in almost all rituals to cleanse a person or an area.
Water is often believed to have spiritual powers. In Celtic mythology, Sulis is the local goddess of thermal springs; in Hinduism, the Ganga is also personified as a goddess. Alternatively, gods can be patrons of particular springs, river or lakes: for example in Greek and Roman mythology, Peneus was a river god, one of the three thousand Oceanids.
The Greek philosopher Empedocles held that water is one of the four classical elements along with fire, earth and air, and was regarded as the ylem, or basic stuff of the universe. Water was considered cold and moist. In the theory of the four bodily humours, water was associated with phlegm. Water was also one of the Five Elements in traditional Chinese philosophy, along with earth, fire, wood, and metal.
A common misconception about water is that it is a powerful conductor of electricity. Any electrical properties observable in water are due to the ions of mineral salts and carbon dioxide dissolved in it. Water does self-ionize (two water molecules become one hydroxide anion and one hydronium cation), but only at a very slight, almost immeasurable level. Pure water can also be electrolized into oxygen and hydrogen gases but without any dissolved ions, this is a very slow process and thus very little current is conducted. Many bottled water companies exploit another common misconception, advertising both purity and taste, even though pure water is tasteless.
See also
- Dehydration
- Desalination
- Dihydrogen monoxide hoax
- Double distilled water
- Drought
- Ecohydrology
- Evapotranspiration
- Flood
- Flume
- Fountain
- Fresh water
- Heavy water
- Holy water
- Hydrography
- Hydrology
- Irrigation
- Mineral water
- Spring water
- Precipitation (meteorology)
- Rain
- Sea water
- Transvasement
- Wastewater
- WaterAid
- Water (molecule)
- Water quality
- Water quality modelling
- Water resources
- Water industry
- Water ionizer
- World Ocean Day
- World Water Day
External links
- The Science of Water — Articles containing the science of water, and how alkaline or acidic water can affect the body.
- Oceans and Water Issues Page
- Scientific Facts on Water disinfectants A faithful summary by GreenFacts of a leading scientific consensus report on Drinking Water Disinfectants published by the International Programme on Chemical Safety of the WHO.
- Residential water problems and markets Study paper from Helmut Kaiser Consultancy
- Water markets worldwide Study paper from Helmut Kaiser Consultancy
- World Water Forum
- World Water Assessment Program
- United Nations' World Water Development Report
- United Nations GEMS/Water Programme
- Water Structure and Behaviour
- WaterAid
- SAHRA—Global Water Newswatch
- Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI)
- California Water Impact Network (C-WIN)
- BBC: The water debate
- Tap Water Vs Bottled Water - Interesting site providing facts about tap and bottled water.
- E the Environmental Magazine piece on bottled water (Oct 2003).
- International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam
- US Geological Survey: Comprehensive discussion of the water cycle, in many languages
- Why is water blue?
- Water requirements in adults
- Climate change raises markets for environmental technology, drinking water and clean energies
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- OA Jones, JN Lester and N Voulvoulis, Pharmaceuticals: a threat to drinking water? TRENDS in Biotechnology 23(4): 163, 2005
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