Quiz 11: Water Resources and Water Pollution

Environmental Science

What do you believe are the three most important priorities for dealing with the water resource problems of the Colorado River basin, as discussed in the Core Case Study that opens this chapter Explain your choices.

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Colorado River basin is situated in southwest part of U.S. The river is facing water shortage and if something is not done early then it would result into drought. This river is a source of water for many arid cities. There are several factors that have led to the river to drought. But here we are discussing about three of those major problems. To deal with the shortage or drought we need to store water for future use. Freshwater shall not be wasted and shall be recycled and reused again. The main source of water is surface water and groundwater. Due to the over pumping of water, the underground water is prone to drought. The aquifer once become empty it would be impossible to recharge it again. Composting toilets are another idea for sustainable water resource. These are Modern toilets which uses no water. Water shall be recycled and used for watering gardens and lawns instead of freshwater. Also the water shall be allowed to reach oceans and save water as much as possible.

Q 2

Investigate water use at your school. Try to determine all specific sources of any water waste, taking careful notes and measurements for each of them, and try to estimate how much water is wasted per hour, per day, and per year. Develop a water conservation plan for your school and submit it to school officials.

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Water conservation shall be done for the preservation of water and keep it for future generation as well. Water is a scarce resource which is on the verge to deplete. Water is a necessity for everyone. One can sustain without food for few days but not without water. Water conservation plan shall be made everywhere and strict actions shall be taken to follow and maintain it. Every day in a school about 260litres of water is wasted in toilets per day. Also 151 liters of water is wasted at drinking water taps. A plan for conservation of water shall be made so that the waste shall be minimized. The goal for conservation of water shall be made. The goal of plan is to minimize the waste of water. 1. Composting toilets shall be used in schools to save water. 2. Recycled water shall be used to water plants and in toilets as well. 3. Freshwater shall be used less. 4. Water shall be treated to use again. 5. Storing containers shall be kept at drinking tanks to store water loss through taps. The forecast is made to estimate the future demand of water. There is a difference between estimation and actual consumption but still we get idea and can plan our schedule or usage accordingly. The water conservation is much more important because our survival depends upon it. The plan shall be made and strictly followed and maintained. These plans help a lot in saving water. This reduces water waste.

Q 3

In 2005, the population of the U.S. state of Florida consumed 24.5 billion liters (6.5 billion gallons) of freshwater daily. It is projected that in 2025, the daily consumption will increase to 32.1 billion liters (8.5 billion gallons) per day. Between 2005 and 2025, the population of Florida is projected to increase from 17.5 million to 25.9 million. 1. Based on total freshwater use: a. Calculate the per capita consumption of water per day in Florida in 2005 and the projected per capita consumption per day for 2025. b. Calculate the per capita consumption of water for the year iti Florida in 2005 and the projected per capita consumption per year for 2025.

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(a) Calculate the per capita water consumption per day in 2005. Substitute for total consumption of water and for total population in 2005. Hence the use of per capita water is Calculate the per capita water consumption per day in 2025 Substitute for total consumption of water and for total population in 2005. Hence the use of per capita water in 2025 is (b) Calculate the per capita water consumption per year in 2005. Substitute for total consumption of water and for total population in 2005. Hence the use of per capita water consume in a year 2005 is Calculate the per capita water consumption per year in 2025 Substitute for total consumption of water and for total population in 2005. Hence the use of per capita water per year in 2025 is

Q 4

Visit the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill 2010 topic portal and research the ecological effects of the oil well blowout and spill. Write a report that answers some or all of the following questions. Is oil pollution in the gulf still considered to be a problem How has it affected the coastal wetlands along the gulf How has it affected species living under the water How has it affected bird life in the gulf How has it affected the fishing industry there

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Q 5

CORE CASE STUDY Discuss the importance of the Colorado River basin in the United States and how human activities are stressing this system (Core Case Study).

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Q 6

What role does population growth play in water supply problems Relate this to water supply problems of the Colorado River basin (Core Case Study).

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Q 7

Use library research, the Internet, and user interviews to evaluate the relative effectiveness of home water-purification devices. Try to determine the costs of such systems, including purchase, installation, and maintenance costs, and record these costs for each system. Determine the type or types of water pollutants that each device removes and the effectiveness of each such device.

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Q 8

In 2005, the population of the U.S. state of Florida consumed 24.5 billion liters (6.5 billion gallons) of freshwater daily. It is projected that in 2025, the daily consumption will increase to 32.1 billion liters (8.5 billion gallons) per day. Between 2005 and 2025, the population of Florida is projected to increase from 17.5 million to 25.9 million. In 2005, how did the Florida average water footprint (consumption per person per year), based only on water used within the state, compare with the average U.S. water footprint of approximately 249,000 liters (66,000 gallons) per person per year, and with the global average water footprint of 123,770 liters (32,800 gallons) per person per year

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Q 9

What are the two key concepts for this section Define freshwater. Describe how water is recycled by the hydrologic cycle and how human activities can overload and alter this cycle. What percentage of the earth's freshwater is available to us Define groundwater, zone of saturation, water table, aquifer, surface water, surface runoff, watershed (drainage basin), reliable surface runoff, and drought. What percentage of the world's reliable runoff are we using and what percentage are we likely to be using by 2025 How is most of the world's water used Describe the availability and use of freshwater resources in the United States. Define water footprint and virtual water. What are five major problems resulting from the way people are using water from the Colorado River basin What percentage of the earth's land suffers from severe drought today and how might this change by 2059 How many people in the world lack regular access to clean water today and how high might this number grow by 2025

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Q 10

Explain why you are for or against (a) raising the price of water while providing lower lifeline rates for the poor and lower-middle class, (b) withdrawing government subsidies that provide farmers with water at low cost, and (c) providing government subsidies to farmers for improving irrigation efficiency.

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Q 11

What are the three key concepts for this section What are the advantages and disadvantages of withdrawing groundwater Describe the problem of groundwater depletion in the world and in the United States, especially in the Ogallala aquifer. Describe the problems of land subsidence and contamination of freshwater aquifers near coastal areas resulting from the overpumping of water from aquifers. List four ways to prevent or slow groundwater depletion, including the possible use of deep aquifers.

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Q 12

Calculate how many liters (and gallons) of water are wasted in 1 month by a toilet that leaks 2 drops of water per second. (1 liter of water equals about 3,500 drops and 1 liter equals 0.265 gallon.) How many bathtubs (each containing about 151 liters or 40 gallons) could this waste water fill

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Q 13

What is a dam What is a reservoir What are the advantages and disadvantages of using large dams and reservoirs Describe what has happened to water flows in the Colorado River since 1960. List three possible solutions to this problem. Describe the California Water Project. Describe the environmental and health disaster caused by the Aral Sea water transfer project. Define desalination and distinguish between distillation and reverse osmosis as methods for desalinating water. What are three limitations of desalination

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Q 14

List three ways in which human activities increase the harmful effects of flooding. What is the best way to prevent each of these human impacts Do you think they should be prevented Why or why not

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Q 15

What is the key concept for this section What percentage of available freshwater is unnecessarily wasted in the world and in the United States, and what are two causes of water waste Describe three major irrigation methods and list ways to reduce water waste in irrigation in more and less-developed countries. List four ways to reduce water waste in industries and homes, and three ways to use less water to remove wastes. List four ways to use water sustainably and four ways in which you can reduce use and waste of water

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Q 16

You are a regulator charged with drawing up plans for controlling water pollution. Briefly describe one idea for controlling water pollution from each of the following sources: (a) an effluent pipe from a factory going into a stream, (b) a parking lot at a shopping mall bordered by a stream, and (c) a farmer's field on a slope next to a stream.

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Q 17

What is key concept for this section What is a flood plain and why do people like to live on floodplains What are the benefits and drawbacks od floods List three human activities that increase the risk of flooding. Describe the increased flooding risks that many people in Bangladesh face and what they are doing about it. List three ways to reduce of flooding.

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Q 18

When you flush your toilet, where does the wastewater go Trace the actual flow of this water in your community from your toilet through sewers to a wastewater treatment plant and from there to the environment. Try to visit a local sewage treatment plant to see what it does with your wastewater. Compare the processes it uses with those shown in Figure 11-32. What happens to the sludge produced by this plant What improvements, if any, would you suggest for this plant List the three best ways you can think of for reducing your unnecessary waste of water. Which, if any, of these things do you already do

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Q 19

What is the key concept for this section What is water pollution Distinguish between point sources and nonpoint sources of water pollution and give art example of each. List nine major types of water pollutants and give an example of each.

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Q 20

List three ways in which you could apply Concept 11-3 and three ways in which you could apply Concept 11-5 to making your lifestyle more environmentally sustainable.

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Q 21

Describe how streams can cleanse themselves and how these cleansing processes can be overwhelmed. What is wastewater Describe the state of stream pollution in more-developed and less-developed countries. Give two reasons why lakes cannot cleanse themselves as readily as streams can. Distinguish between eutrophication and cultural eutrophication. List ways to prevent or reduce cultural eutrophication. Explain why groundwater cannot cleanse itself very well. What are the major sources of groundwater contamination in the United States List three ways to prevent and three ways to clean up ground-water contamination. Describe the U.S. laws passed to protect drinking water quality. Describe the environmental problems caused by the widespread use of bottled water.

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Q 22

How are coastal waters and deeper ocean waters polluted What causes harmful algal blooms and what are their negative effects Describe the annual oxygen depletion in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Summarize the nature, origins, and effects of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. What are the effects of oil pollution of the oceans and what can be done to reduce such pollution

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Q 23

List ways to reduce water pollution from (a) nonpoint sources and (b) point sources. Describe the U.S. experience with reducing point-source water pollution. What is a septic tank and how does it work Explain how primary sewage treatment and secondary sewage treatment are used to help purify water. How would Peter Montague improve conventional sewage treatment What is a composting toilet system Describe John Todd's use of living machines to treat sewage. Explain how wetlands can be used to treat sewage. List three ways to prevent and three ways to reduce water pollution. List five things you can do to reduce water pollution. What are this chapter's three big ideas Explain how the three principles of sustainability can guide us in reducing and preventing water pollution and in using water more sustainably during this century.

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Quiz 11: Water Resources and Water Pollution

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