PlanetGeo: The Geology Podcast

Water Issues Part 4: The Geology of Hard Water (Re-Release)

January 27, 2022 Chris and Jesse Season 1 Episode 42
PlanetGeo: The Geology Podcast
Water Issues Part 4: The Geology of Hard Water (Re-Release)
Show Notes

Chris and Jesse are recording this intro face to face in Michigan!  We had a lot of fun actually recording together rather than from 600 miles apart.  Join us in our final Re-release series on water.

Show notes are below:
This week we tackle a big question: why is the ocean so salty?  Spoiler alert: it's because of the hard water you may have running through your house!

In this episode we cover three major questions: 1) Why is the ocean salty? 2) Why do rivers keep flowing all the time? and 3) What is hard water?  Guess what...they are all related! 

Hard water is water that is "hard" to make a lather with.  This is caused by dissolved ions in the groundwater.  Those ions get there because groundwater interacts with rocks under... wait for it... the ground! This groundwater feeds rivers, which then flow into lakes and ultimately the oceans.  The ocean water then evaporates, leaves behind the salty stuff from dissolved rocks, forms clouds and rain, and starts the whole process over again.  Except, the salty ions are left behind in the ocean and accumulate over time.  

Hard water is extremely important to pay attention to because it can severely damage industrial equipment as well as cost you thousands of dollars in home repairs if you don't get it taken care of it.  Here is a link to a United States Geological Survey article that outlines hard water, where it is found, and what it can cause.  Check out that picture of the clogged pipe!  

https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/hardness-water?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects


——————————————————
Instagram: @planetgeocast
Twitter: @planetgeocast
Facebook: @planetgeocast
Email: planetgeocast@gmail.com
Website: https://planetgeocast.buzzsprout.com/ 

We now have a live Mobile App for iOS and Android. There you can learn all the basics of geoscience with our CampGeo content, purchase a visual audiobook on the Geology of Yellowstone National Park, and listen to past PlanetGeo episodes!
Download now
at this link

Like, Subscribe, and leave us a Rating!

——————————————————
Instagram: @planetgeocast
Twitter: @planetgeocast
Facebook: @planetgeocast
Support us: https://planetgeocast.com/support-us
Email: planetgeocast@gmail.com
Website: https://planetgeocast.com/