ixPart I Introduction
1 Nature, Properties, and Distribution of Water ....................................... 3
1.1 Physical and Chemical Properties of Water and Their
Consequences ..................................................................................... 3
1.1.1 Molecular Structure of Water and Its Strong
Surface Tension ...................................................................... 3
1.1.2 The High Surface Tension of Water and Capillarity
in Plants .................................................................................. 4
1.1.3 The Three Physical States of Water,
and the Floatation of Ice ......................................................... 4
1.1.4 The Thermal Properties of Water
and Their Effect on Climate ................................................... 5
1.1.5 The Change in the Nature of Water at Different
Temperatures and Lake Temperatures .................................... 5
1.1.6 The Low Electrical Conductivity of Pure Water .................... 6
1.1.7 The High Chemical Reactiveness of Water ............................ 7
1.1.8 The pH of Water ..................................................................... 7
1.1.9 The High Solvent Power of Water ......................................... 7
1.2 Importance and Uses of Water ........................................................... 7
1.2.1 Composition of Biological Objects ........................................ 7
1.2.2 Drinking by Man and Animals and Domestic Use ................ 7
1.2.3 Irrigation and Aquaculture ..................................................... 8
1.2.4 Power Generation ................................................................... 8
1.2.5 Transportation ........................................................................ 8
1.2.6 Recreation .............................................................................. 8
1.2.7 Human Affairs ........................................................................ 8
1.3 The Hydrologic Cycle ........................................................................ 8
1.4 Classification of Waters ...................................................................... 9
1.4.1 Natural Waters ........................................................................ 9
1.4.2 Artificial Waters ..................................................................... 10
1.5 Global Distribution of Water on Earth and Its Study ......................... 10
References ................................................................................................... 12
2 Peculiarities of Water as an Environmental Habitat
for Microorganisms ................................................................................... 15
2.1 The Peculiar Nature of Water as an Environment
for Microbial Habitation .................................................................... 15