Earth’s water supply is depleted by agriculture and farming, industrial uses, and human consumption (daily drinking). (U8L2 Page 8, last paragraph). An aquifer is a geological formation that can store and transmit water, serving as a crucial source of freshwater. Currently, humans are withdrawing water from aquifers at a faster rate than it can be recharged, which means refilled (U8L2 Page 8, first paragraph). One effect of more water use is that the water table under the ground lowers (U8L2 Page 9). If the water table is not refilled at the rate that water is taken out, land subsidence occurs, which means that the land sinks (U8L2 Page 9). This subsidence of land near the coast can cause saltwater intrusion, where freshwater is contaminated by an influx of saltwater from the ocean (U8L2 Page 9). Water quality has worsened because of human population growth. Copy this source on your test: Source: Unit 8 Lesson 2, Page 8-9.
In 3-5 sentences, explain how increases in the human population impact water resources. Provide specific examples in your answer.
(4 points) HINT: Unit 8 Lesson 2, Page 8-9. CITE THIS SOURCE IN YOUR PARAGRAPH.
How to Answer - Include these points:
> The 4 ways humans use water.
> Define aquifers.
> Describe the effects of human population growth on water resources.
> Include the terms aquifers, land subsidence, and saltwater intrusion in your answer.
CITE THIS SOURCE IN YOUR PARAGRAPH. Unit 8 Lesson 2, Page 8-9
Paragraph Sentence Starters – Just fill in the blanks, then copy/paste into the essay box on your test! Remember to copy/paste the source we give you below in your answer!
Earth’s water supply is depleted by ______ and _____, _______ uses, and human ________ (daily drinking). (U8L2 Page 8, last paragraph)
An aquifer is _____. (give the definition - U8L2 Page 8, click on the 1st Answer box)
Currently, humans are withdrawing water from aquifers at a faster rate than it can be __________, which means refilled. (U8L2 Page 8, first paragraph)
One effect of more water use is that the water table under the ground ________ (choose one: rises or lowers). (U8L2 Page 9)
If the water table is not refilled at the rate that water is taken out, _________ __________ occurs, which means that the land sinks. (U8L2 Page 9, click on the 2nd Answer box)
This subsidence of land near the coast can cause __________ intrusion, where freshwater is ____________ by an influx of saltwater from the ocean. (U8L9, Click on Coastal Concerns, first paragraph)
Water quality has _____ (choose one: improved or worsened) because of human population growth.
Copy this source on your test: Source: Unit 8 Lesson 2, Page 8-9
PAGE 8:
Worldwide increases in human population affects Earth’s water supply. As the population increases, worldwide demand for water increases. This causes a decline in Earth’s water resources. Areas that are already suffering water shortages and gaining access to clean water continue to be greatly impacted. Currently, humans are withdrawing water from Earth’s aquifers at a faster rate than it can be recharged.
Earth’s water supply is depleted by agriculture and farming, industrial uses (e.g., manufacturing and power plant operation), and human consumption (e.g., daily drinking). How humans use water is an important connection to water quality and quantity. Knowing how water is used can help to lessen the impacts on the supply and the environment.
How is the demand for water related to worldwide population growth? Possible response: As the population increases worldwide, the demand for water increases.
PAGE 9:
Impacts of a Growing Population The image shows land subsidence over the past 25 years. As humans consume more water than can be recharged, changes to Earth’s surface and water supply occur. Some major impacts are as follows: lowering of the water table land subsidence saltwater intrusion As humans pump water out of the ground, the water table underneath the ground lowers. If the water table is not refilled at the rate that water is taken out, land subsidence occurs. This subsidence of land can cause many other issues, such as saltwater intrusion, to occur. Ultimately, this impacts the overall water supply. In addition, it impacts the quality of the water to which humans have access.
What is Saltwater Intrusion?
As more and more water is pumped
from underground, many coastal area
water supplies are in jeopardy of
saltwater contamination. Saltwater
intrusion is caused when fresh water is
contaminated by an influx of salt water
from an adjacent ocean.
How is this happening? Saltwater
intrusion can be a naturally occurring
process. However, a major cause of this
contamination is over-pumping from our
aquifers. As water is pumped from
aquifers, the water table drops. At rapid
rates, this forms a cone of depression
because fresh water is not being
replenished as fast as it is being
pumped. Salt water rises and can move
into the space where fresh water is
depleted. If fresh water is not
replenished fast enough, salt water from
nearby oceans can seep inland and
upward into the area. Brackish water
contains more salt than fresh water, but
not as much as salt water. This affects
wells close to the coast, making them
vulnerable to contamination.
Rising sea levels can also push salt
water inland, causing potential
interactions with underground fresh
water.
South Florida’s
Mission
For cities in southern Florida, such as
Miami and Fort Lauderdale, this has
become a major issue.
In the early twentieth century, MiamiDade County had to shut down three of
its public water supply well fields. This
was due to saltwater contamination.
Recently, a number of water wells in the
area have been lost due to saltwater
intrusion into the Biscayne Aquifer.
Broward County has already seen this
impact as salt water has spread as far as
six miles inland, impacting the drinking
water from underground supplies. This
could affect as many as 90 percent of
South Florida residents
In addition, as sea levels rise, salt
water will continue to drive inland with
the possibility of mixing with fresh water.
According to the image, saltwater
intrusion has been occurring for
decades. As the extent to which it seeps
into the inland freshwater supply
increases, solutions to combat the
problem are on the rise. Many cities in
South Florida are looking to new
technologies and processes to help
1 answer