Water Resource Challenges

1.     CheckPoint: Water Resource Challenges

 

         Complete the Water Resource Challenges table in Appendix E by briefly identifying three fresh and three ocean water resource issues. Then, respond to the questions provided at the bottom of Appendix E.

 

         Post as an attachment. 

Axia College Material

Appendix E

Water Resource Challenges

Review Ch. 10 and 11 of your text, then complete the following:

Provide at least three freshwater and three ocean water resource challenges by filling in the following table. Then, respond to the question that follows:

Freshwater Resource Challenge	Description
The Growing Population	An increase in individuals put greater demands on freshwater supplies
Salt water contaminating coastal wells	Salt water can intrude on fresh water aquifers in coastal areas when the wells become overdrawn.
Pollution from industry sources being dumped into rivers	Factories or other industry companies dumping waste into the rivers contaminate the fresh water
Ocean Water Resource Challenge	Description
Polar ice caps melting	This puts more freshwater into the ocean and depletes the salt content of the ocean.
Oil spills	Spilling of oil in our oceans contaminate our salt water resources
Overfishing	Fishing that reduces stocks can upset the underwater ecosystems

In 200 to 300 words, respond to the following: Choose one fresh or ocean water resource challenge and describe in detail why the issue has become a problem and how human activities have contributed to the problem.

The resource I am choosing is one that I am very passionate about because it is directly linked to global warming. This is a real issue not a lot of people will recognize. Polar ice caps melting causing more freshwater to be dumped into the ocean. That brings down the salt content of the ocean. This also causes the sea level to rise. Melting of arctic ice could release huge amounts of methane into the air which is a harsh greenhouse gas. This gas would increase air temperature which in turn would melt more ice.

The salt content of the ocean decreasing could cause the warm Gulf Stream reverse and cause a colder climate for Europe. A decrease in the salt content could lead to colder winters, hotter summers and stronger, more frequent hurricanes. Humans need to recognize that we are the most contributing factors of effects on this Earth. Our pollution, overuse and littering of our waste cause all kinds of environmental problems that will cause decades, if not irreversible, climates. I live in a relatively cold state and people wish all the time for warmer weather. This should not happen. The snow and ice during the winter months act like a blanket to the Earth’s core and keep it warm. As anyone who has taken survival classes for blizzards. If you are caught in one, the best place to hide is under the snow near the ground where it’s warmer until the wind stops. That is because the snow acts like a blanket and keeps the ground temperature warmer than the air.