water resources and water pollution chapter 8 geog415
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Water Resources and Water Pollution
Chapter 8
Geog415
Will We Have Enough Usable Water?
We are using available freshwater unsustainably by wasting it, polluting it, and charging too little for this irreplaceable natural resource.
One of every six people does not have sufficient access to clean water, and this situation will almost certainly get worse (one out of 4 people in 2050).
Freshwater Is an Irreplaceable Resource That We Are Managing
Poorly
water keeps us alive, moderates climate, sculpts the land, removes and dilutes wastes and pollutants, and is recycled by the hydrologic cycle
All organisms are made of mostly water (60% human body). A person could survive for several weeks without food but only a few days without water.
Earth as a watery world: 71%; Freshwater availability: 0.024%
Freshwater Is an Irreplaceable Resource That We Are Managing Poorly (2)
Hydrologic cycle • Movement of water in the seas, land, and air• Driven by solar energy and gravity
Fresh water supply is continuously collected, purified, recycled, and distributed through hydrological cycle (evaporation-condensation to clouds-precipitation-runoff or infiltration to underground-back to ocean)
But we are overloading water system by slowly degradable and nondegradable wastes or withdraw water from underground supplies faster than it is replenished.
Water is not evenly distributed:• Water haves: Canada (with 0.5% of world population has
1/5 of world’s fresh water)• Water have-nots: China (with 1/5 of the world population
has 7% of world fresh water)
We Get Freshwater from Groundwater and Surface
Water
Ground water:water stored in the pores, fractures, crevices, and other spaces in
soil and rock.
Zone of saturation: the spaces in rocks are completely filled with water.
Water table:Top of the zone of saturation
Aquifers:Porous, water-saturated layers of sand, gravel or bedrock through which
groundwater flows. One of every three people depends on water from aquifer for drinking and other uses.
Natural recharges: aquifers are replenished naturally by precipitation that percolates downward through soil and rock (3 feet per year and no more than 1 foot per day)
We Get Freshwater from Groundwater and Surface Water (2)
Surface WaterSurface runoff:Precipitation that does not infiltrate the ground or return to the
atmosphere by evaporation (flows across the earth’s land and into rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, and estuaries).
Watershed (drainage) basin:The region from which surface water drains into a river, lake,
wetland, or other body of water.
Reliable runoff:1/3 of total run off that we can count on as a stable source of
fresh water every year
Unconfined Aquifer Recharge Area
Precipitation Evaporation and transpiration Evaporation
Confined Recharge Area
Runoff
Flowing artesian well
Well requiring a pump Stream
Infiltration
Water table Lake
InfiltrationUnconfined aquiferLess
permeable material such as clay
Confined aquiferConfining impermeable rock layer
Fig. 8-1, p. 160
Ground Water System
We Use less than Half of the World’s Reliable Runoff
2/3 of the surface runoff: lost by seasonal floods
1/3 runoff usable • Domestic: 10%• Agriculture: 70% (produce 40% of the world’s
food)• Industrial use: 20%
Freshwater Resources in the United States
More than enough renewable freshwater, unevenly distributed
Effect of• Floods• Pollution• Drought
2007: U.S. Geological Survey projection • Water hotspots
Average Annual Precipitation and Major Rivers, Water-Deficit Regions in U.S.
Ample precipitation in the east and too little in the west
In the east, largest uses for water are for energy production, cooling, and manufacturing; In the west, the largest use is for irrigation
Problem in the east is flooding, pollution, and occasional urban shortagesIn the west is the shortage of runoff caused by low precipitation, high evaporation, and recurring prolonged drought
Water Hotspots in 17 Western U.S. States
Natural Capital Degradation: Stress on the World’s Major River Basins
Core Case Study: Water Conflicts in the Middle East: A Preview of the Future
Water shortages in the Middle East: hydrological poverty
Water relies on three rivers:Nile River; Jordan Basin; Tigris and
Euphrates RiversNile: Ethiopia, Sudan plans to divert
more water from Nile that would reduce the downstream water supply in Egypt. Possible solution: (1) go to war with Sudan and Ethiopia for more water; (2) cut population growth; import more grains to reduce need for irrigation; (3) work out water-sharing agreements with other countries; (4) suffer harsh human and economic consequences of hydrology poverty
Jordan Basin is the most water-shortage region, with fierce competition for its water among Jordan, Syrian Palestine (Gaza and the West Bank), and Israel. Syria plans to build dams and withdraw more water from the Jordan river, decreasing downstream water supply for Jordan and Israel. Israel warns that they will destroy the largest dam Syria plans to build.
Turkey, located on the headwaters of Tigris and Euphrates River, controls how much water flows downstream to Syria and Iraq before empting into the Persian Gulf. Turkey is building 24 dams to generate electricity and irrigate a large area of land (will reduce water flow up to 35% or more). Syria also plans to build a large dam along the Euphrates River to diver water. This will leave little water for Iraq and could lead to a war with Syria.
Possible solution for water conflict in Middle East
regional cooperation in allocating water supplies slowed population growth Improved efficiency in water use Higher water prices to help improve irrigation efficiency Increased grain imports to reduce water needs
How Can We Increase Water Supplies?
Pumping groundwater building dams and reservoir to store runoff transferring water from other areas desalination (convert salt water to fresh )
But all create environmental problems
Groundwater Is Being Withdrawn Faster Than It Is Replenished in Some Areas
India, China, and the United States• Three largest grain producers• Overpumping aquifers for
irrigation of crops India and China
• Small farmers drilling tubewells • Effect on water table
Saudi Arabia• Aquifer depletion and irrigation
Ogallala aquifer: largest known aquifer• Irrigates the Great Plains• Water table lowered more than
30m• Cost of high pumping has
eliminated some of the farmers• Government subsidies to continue
farming deplete the aquifer further• Biodiversity threatened in some
areas
California Central Valley: serious water depletion
Coastal area, salt water intrusion in aquifers
Trade-Offs: Withdrawing Groundwater, Advantages and Disadvantages
Natural Capital Degradation: Areas of Greatest Aquifer Depletion in the U.S.
Solutions: Groundwater Depletion, Using Water More Sustainably
Large Dams and Reservoirs Have Advantages and Disadvantages
Main goals of a dam and reservoir system• Capture and store
runoff
• Release runoff as needed to control:• Floods• Generate
electricity• Supply
irrigation water• Recreation
(reservoirs)
Natural Capital: Ecological Services of Rivers
The California Water Project and the Central Arizona Project
Case Study: The Aral Sea Disaster
Large-scale water transfers (by former Soviet Union) in dry central Asia-800 miles of irrigation canal
Shrinking Aral Sea (lost 83% water volume) and increased water salinity 3 times.
Wetland destruction (85% eliminated) and wildlife (half of the bird and mammal species disappeared; 20 of the 24 native fish species extinction)
Wind-blown salt dust spread water pollution Climatic changes (summer is hotter and winter is colder) Health problem from toxic dust, salt and water
contamination
Removing Salt from Seawater
Desalination• Distillation: heating soil water until it evaporates, leaves
behind slats in solid form and condenses as fresh water
• Reverse osmosis, microfiltration: pumping salt water at high pressure through a thin membrane with pores that allows water molecules, but not most dissolved salts to pass through
Problems: high coast; produces large quantities of briny wastewater that contains salt and other minerals
Active Figure: Threats to aquifers
How Can We Use Water More Sustainably?
We can use water more sustainably if we cut water waste (1/3 water is wasted), raise water prices, slow population growth, and protect aquifers, forests, and other ecosystems that store and release water.
“The frog does not drink up the pond in which it lives”
Major Irrigation Systems
We Can Cut Water Waste in Irrigation
Human-powered treadle pumps
Harvest and store rainwater
Create a canopy over crops: reduces evaporation
Fog-catcher nets
We Can Cut Water Waste in Industry and Homes
Recycle water in industry
Fix leaks in the plumbing systems
Use water-thrifty landscaping: xeriscaping
Use gray water
Pay-as-you-go water use
Solutions: Sustainable Water Use
What Can You Do? Water Use and Waste
How Can We Reduce the Threat of Flooding?
We can improve flood control by protecting wetlands and natural vegetation in watersheds and by not building in areas subject to frequent flooding.
Some Areas Get Too Much Water from Flooding
Flood: water in stream overflows its normal channel and spills into the adjacent area (Floodplain)
Flood plains • Highly productive wetlands• Provide natural flood and erosion
control• Maintain high water quality• Recharge groundwater
Benefits of floodplains• Fertile soils• Nearby rivers for use and
recreation• Flatlands for urbanization and
farming
Dangers of floodplains and floods• Deadly and
destructive• Human activities
worsen floods• Failing dams and
water diversion• Hurricane Katrina
and the Gulf Coast• Removal of
coastal wetlands
Natural Capital Degradation: Hillside Before and After Deforestation
Case Study: Living Dangerously on Floodplains in Bangladesh
Dense population
Located on coastal floodplain
Moderate floods maintain fertile soil
Increased frequency of large floods
Effects of development in the Himalayan foothills
Destruction of coastal wetlands
We Can Reduce Flood Risks
Rely more on nature’s systems• Wetlands• Natural
vegetation in watersheds
Rely less on engineering devices• Dams• Levees
Active Figure: Effects of deforestation
What Are the Causes and Effects of Water Pollution?
Water pollution, caused mostly by agricultural activities, industrial facilities, and mining, and worsened by growth in population and resource use, causes illness and death in humans and other species and disrupts ecosystems.
Water Pollution Comes from Point and Nonpoint Sources
Water pollution: any chemical, biological, or physical change in water quality that has a harmful effect on living organisms or makes water unsuitable for desired uses
Point sources• Located at specific places• Easy to identify, monitor, and regulate• Examples: factories, sewage treatment plants, underground
mines, and oil tankers
Nonpoint sourcesBroad, diffuse areasDifficult to identify and controlExpensive to clean upExamples: atmosphere, croplands runoff, livestock feedlots, logged forests, urban streets, lawn, golf courses, parking lots.
Major Water Pollutants Have Harmful Effects
Infectious disease organisms: contaminated drinking water
The World Health Organization (WHO) • 3 Million people die every year, mostly under the
age of 5
Major Water Pollutants and Their Sources
What Are the Major Water Pollution Problems in
Streams and Lakes?
Addition of pollutants and excessive nutrients to streams and lakes can disrupt these ecosystems, and prevention of such pollution is more effective and less costly than cleaning it up.
Dilution and Decay of Degradable, Oxygen-Demanding Wastes in a Stream
Global Outlook: Stream Pollution in Developing Countries
Half of the world’s 500 rivers are polluted
Untreated sewage
Industrial waste
India’s rivers
China’s rivers
Cultural Eutrophication Is Too Much of a Good Thing
Eutrophication: natural nutrient enrichment of lakes, mostly from runoff of plant nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates from surrounding land
Cultural eutrophication: human activities greatly accelerate the input of plant nutrients to a lake. Promote growth of sense growth or bloom of organisms. These plant life reduce lake productivity by decreasing the solar energy input needed by phytoplankton that support fish. When algae dies, the bacteria depletes dissolved oxygen in the surface layer of water near the shore and in the bottom layer.
During hot weather or droughtsAlgal blooms; Increased bacteria; More nutrients; Anaerobic bacteria
Prevent or reduce cultural eutrophication• Remove nitrates and phosphates• Diversion of lake water
Clean up lakes• Remove excess weeds• Use herbicides and algaecides; down-side?• Pump in air
What Are the Major Pollution Problems Affecting Water Sources?
Chemicals used in agriculture, industry, transportation, and homes can spill and leak into groundwater and make it undrinkable; polluted water can be purified, but protecting it through pollution prevention is the least expensive and most effective strategy.
Ground Water Cannot Cleanse Itself Very Well
Source of drinking water
Common pollutants• Fertilizers and
pesticides• Gasoline• Organic solvents
Pollutants dispersed in a widening plume
Slower chemical reactions in groundwater due to• Slow flow: contaminants not
diluted • Less dissolved oxygen• Fewer decomposing bacteria
How long will it take to cleans itself of• Slowly degradable wastes
• E.g., DDT
• Nondegradable wastes• E.g., Pb and As
Principal Sources of Groundwater Contamination in the U.S.
Pollution Prevention Is the Only Effective Way to Protect Groundwater
Prevent contamination of groundwater
Cleanup: expensive and time consuming
Solutions: Groundwater Pollution, Prevention and Cleanup
Is Bottled Water the Answer?
U.S.: some of the cleanest drinking water
Bottled water• Some from tap water• 40% bacterial contamination• Fuel cost to manufacture the plastic bottles• Recycling of the plastic
Growing back-to-the-tap movement
Active Figure: Stream pollution
ABC Video: MTBE pollution
What Are the Major Water Pollution Problems Affecting Oceans?
The great majority of ocean pollution originates on land and includes oil and other toxic chemicals and solid waste, which threaten fish and wildlife and disrupt marine ecosystems; the key to protecting oceans is to reduce the flow of pollutants into coastal waters.
Ocean Pollution Is a Growing and Poorly Understood Problem
2006: State of the Marine Environment• 80% of marine
pollution originates on land
• Sewage• Coastal areas
most affected
Deeper ocean waters• Dilution• Dispersion• Degradation
Cruise line pollution: what is being dumped?
U.S. coastal waters• Raw sewage • Sewage and
agricultural runoff: NO3
- and PO43-
• Harmful algal blooms
• Oxygen-depleted zones
¼ of the people using coastal beaches in the US develop ear infection. Sore throats, eye irritations, respiratory disease, or gastrointestinal disease
Residential Areas, Factories, and Farms Contribute to Pollution of Coastal Waters
Chesapeake Bay
Ocean Oil Pollution Is a Serious Problem
Crude and refined petroleum• Highly disruptive
pollutants
Largest source of ocean oil pollution• Urban and
industrial runoff from land
1989: Exxon Valdez, oil tanker
2002: Prestige, oil tanker
Volatile organic hydrocarbons• Kill many aquatic
organisms
Tar-like globs on the ocean’s surface• Coat animals
Heavy oil components sink • Affect the bottom
dwellers
Faster recovery from crude oil than refined oil
Cleanup procedures
Methods of preventing oil spills
Solutions: Coastal Water Pollution, Prevention and Cleanup
ABC Video: Beach pollution
How Can We Best Deal with Water Pollution?
Reducing water pollution requires preventing it, working with nature in treating sewage, cutting resource use and waste, reducing poverty, and slowing population growth.
Sewage Treatment Reduces Water Pollution (1)
Septic tank system
Wastewater or sewage treatment plants• Primary sewage treatment• Physical process
• Secondary sewage treatment• Biological process
• Tertiary or advance sewage treatment • Bleaching, chlorination
Solutions: Septic Tank System
We Can Improve Conventional Sewage Treatment
Peter Montague: environmental scientist• Remove toxic wastes before water goes to the
municipal sewage treatment plants• Reduce or eliminate use and waste of toxic
chemicals• Use composting toilet systems
Wetland-based sewage treatment systems
Solutions: Primary and Secondary Sewage Treatment
Solutions: Water Pollution, Methods for Preventing and Reducing Water Pollution
What Can You Do? Water Pollution, Ways to Help Reduce Water Pollution
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