Human Impact on the Hydrosphere NC River Basins

Human Impact on the Hydrosphere

NC River Basins § There are 17 river basins in North Carolina § 4 of them empty into the Atlantic Ocean § Some of them flow into South Carolina § The remaining flow westward to the Mississippi River § Important for states to reduce the amount of pollution in the rivers because the rivers do flow to other states

Water § All humans depend on water § Bathing, drinking, cooking, washing, etc. § Water is not evenly distributed, some areas have less water than needed

Population § Over the last century § Human population has increased 3 x § Global water withdrawal has increased 7 x § About one-sixth of the world’s people don’t have easy access to safe water

Dams § A dam is a structure that is built across a river or stream that restricts the flow of water § Creates a reservoir behind the dam § Used for: Drinking, Irrigation, Electricity § Dams can destroy ecosystems however

Types of Water Pollution § Point Source Pollution – contaminants have an identifiable source § Smokestacks, car tailpipe § Nonpoint Source Pollution § Contaminant source cannot be found § Several farmlands in the same area

Major Sources of Water Pollution § Agriculture: by far the leader § Pesticides, fertilizers § Industrial: factories and powerplants § Mining: surface mining toxics, acids, sediment

Non-Point Water Pollution § Non-Point pollution reaches bodies of water through streets and sewers. § Pesticides, fertilizers are washed off lawns § Animal feces float away from farms § 96% of water pollution is from nonpoint sources

Groundwater Pollution § Groundwater pollution can be caused by: § Leaking chemical storage barrels § Landfills § Fertilizers § Sewage from septic systems § This can contaminate wells and a communities drinking water

Salt Water Intrusion § Salt water intrusion is the movement of saline water into a freshwater aquifer § When water is pumped from coastal wells a path is created for the salt water to flow to the aquifer § Can also occur due to storm surge from a hurricane § Estuary Degradation-Sediments from erosion due to deforestation enter estuaries and impact water quality

Arsenic Contamination § Arsenic is a poisonous element that is sometimes dissolved inside of groundwater § Caused by Tube wells. Water wells that drill down to the water table. Are lined with arsenic

Coastal Water § Near shore regions are easily affected by pollution § 50% of the US population lives near a city § Pollutants from cities can end up in the oceans § Oil spills are also a potential hazard due to oil tankers in the Gulf of Mexico. § Death of organisms § Economic impact § Gulf Oil Spill 2009

Wastewater Treatment Plants § Water goes to a treatment plant after it is flushed § Not all harmful substances are removed § Industrial wastewater and storm runoff contain toxic substances that aren’t removed

Flush to Finish § https: //www. youtube. com/ watch? v=p. Raptzcp 9 G 4 § Watch, fill in worksheet and compare to the diagram on the next slide

Water Conservation § Ways to save water: § Use low flow toilets/showers § Water purification plans § Use garden hose nozzels