Cycle of Water Use

1. Reasons for Water Conservation

1.1. Pollution is fouling our already meager water supply. Out of Earth 95% water, only 1% is accessible to mankind! Yet we let oil and pesticides grime our water. Leaving less for all the creatures that depend upon it!

2. Water Cycle

2.1. Everyone, at this point in their lives, should understand the water cycle. But there's been a slight change to the regulation...

2.2. Radiation: With the thinning of the Ozone layer in the atmosphere (due to CFCs), the amount of radiation had increased greatly over the years.

2.3. Evaporation: Due to this, there is a great deal more of evaporation, therefore more clouds are formed.

2.3.1. Transpiration: Not all of the water evaporating is in bodies of water. Plants transpire water droplets to help regulate temperature. Animals perform this action as well, in the form of sweating.

2.4. Precipitation: Rainfall from the water condensing inside the clouds, and gravity's pull. The increase in evaporation could possibly be causing more rainfall, and storms.

2.5. Runoff: Some of the water ends in rivers and lakes, which deal with pollution from farms and cities.

2.6. Infiltration: Eventually, some will soak into the ground, gaining minerals (exact ones depending on the area).

2.7. Groundwater: The main source of water to most of the world, the soil filters out most diseases and parasites, and adds even more nutritional value with minerals.

3. Major Uses: Power Production

3.1. In the US, believe it or not, we actually are horrid with our water use. With our share we use 49% of that to make power! Talk about wasted resources.

3.2. To add onto that, think about this: power is made within factories that heavily pollute the air and environment.

4. Major Uses: Agriculture

4.1. Ah, agriculture. The process of growing and selling food. Personally, this seems like it should be the main use, but alas, it's only second. This takes up 31% of American water.

5. Major Uses: Cities and Towns

5.1. 11% of the US's water is used within the many, many cities and towns. Cleaning them, creating tourist attractions, and so forth.

6. Major Uses: Industry

6.1. Thankfully, industry is low on the list, using only 4% of the country's water supply. Less pollution in the world!

7. Major Uses: Domestic

7.1. Sadly, domestic use reaches only 1% of the US's share of the world's 1%. The least amount of water is given to the homes, the people itself.

8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNW1evt93e4

9. Cited resources: Worksheet, Youtube (video)