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The Water Cycle/ Water Resources: Global to Local. Ellen Metzger BAESI: California’s Resources July 2010. Water in the Earth System. What are some reservoirs for water in the Earth system? What are some processes that move water through the Earth system?
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The Water Cycle/Water Resources: Global to Local Ellen Metzger BAESI: California’s Resources July 2010
Water in the Earth System • What are some reservoirs for water in the Earth system? • What are some processes that move water through the Earth system? • What is the source of energy for the water cycle?
Distributionof Earth’s Water Source: USGS
Groundwater Source: USGS Terms: Water table Aquifer
Overuse of Ground Water:Cone of Depression http://web.arc.losrios.edu/~borougt/ConeOfDepression.gif
Subsidence in Santa Clara Valley Source: USGS
San Joaquin Valley: Subsidence 1925-1977" From USGS Professional Paper 1401-A/ Photo by Dick Ireland, USGS, 1977
Climate Change = Hydrologic Change http://www.fs.fed.us/emphasis/products/water-climate-brochure.pdf
Climate Change and Water • Future effect of climate change on global water resources depends on both • Climatic factors AND • Non-climatic factors • Population growth • Changes in economy • Development of new technology • Changes in watershed characteristics • Watershed management http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/effects/water/index.html
Impacts of Climate Change • Changes in Water Availability • Quantity • Quality • Timing • Distribution
Climate Change and Water in California http://www.water.ca.gov/climatechange/docs/062807factsheet.pdf
Climate Change Impacts to California’s Water Resources • By 2050: loss of at least 25 percent of the Sierra snowpack • More variable weather patterns • More flooding and longer, more severe droughts • Rising water temperatures and changes in runoff patterns may adversely impact salmon and other species. • Sea level rise will threaten many coastal communities as well as the sustainability of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. • Salt water intrusion http://www.water.ca.gov/climatechange/docs/062807factsheet.pdf
http://www.water.ca.gov/climatechange/docs/062807factsheet.pdfhttp://www.water.ca.gov/climatechange/docs/062807factsheet.pdf
Potential reduction in hydropower Increased population and greater demand for energy Decreased snow melt flowing through = decreased potential for hydropower production However, future precipitation projections are uncertain. Shasta dam (USGS) http://www.climatechoices.org/ca/site/ca/site/our-changing-climate.html
On-line Resources for Teaching About Water Resources • Water Footprint Calculator – H20 Conserve • The Hidden Water We Use (National Geographic) • Where Does My Water Come From? (Water Education Foundation) • Water Science for Schools (USGS) http://www.h2oconserve.org/img/wc.png
Water Footprint • A measure of water use • Can be calculated for individuals, businesses, cities, countries, and products. • Measures both • Direct water use (such as for drinking and cleaning) and • Indirect water use (the water required to produce goods and services). • Described as “embedded or “virtual’ water” water • Average annual water footprints (m3 per person) • China: 950 • UK: 1,695 • US: 2,900 Source: http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/footprint/water/
The Word Water Crisis • Access to clean water is a basic human need • Drinking • Washing • Sanitation • Agriculture • Despite apparent abundance of water in developed nations, billions pf people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water http://www.unwater.org/img/sec2.jpg
The World Water Crisis http://maps.grida.no/library/files/increased-global-water-stress_003.jpg
http://www.unep.org/dewa/vitalwater/jpg/0221-waterstress-EN.jpghttp://www.unep.org/dewa/vitalwater/jpg/0221-waterstress-EN.jpg
Is this sustainable? • Limited fresh water resources • Uneven distribution of water resources • Regional conflict/warfare • Water pollution • water-borne diseases • Growing population • Impact of climate change on water resources http://www.unwater.org/img/usepercentage.jpg