EVR1001C Water Rivera

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School

Florida SouthWestern State College, Lee *

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Course

1001C

Subject

Geography

Date

Dec 6, 2023

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docx

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Uploaded by CorporalGoatPerson978

Directions Scan the questions below, then review the EnvSci text (Ch12), and WATCH the video set on the Apalachicola River and Estuary. View the rubric and answer the questions in the fields below by “ clicking or tapping to enter text” . Save this file as a .docx and upload to the correct Exploration Activity submission location. Saving this file: When you are done answering these questions – save this template as a WORD DOCUMENT (.docx) named: EVR1001C Water LastName.docx where “LastName” is your last name. Upload to Canvas to submit your assignment. ONLY .docx files will be accepted. SHORT ESSAY Questions (Expectations: short essay answers are composed of multiple SENTENCES in paragraph format unless otherwise specified. For full credit, always FULLY EXPLAIN what you mean. Please use the words that make up the question in your answer. After reviewing the EnvSci text, answer the following questions: a. According to your text (see text p257), what percent of total water on Earth is Freshwater? What percent of Freshwater is Surface Water? What are the main components of Surface Freshwater (include %)? According to the text the percent of total water on Earth that is Freshwater is 2.5%. Also, the percent of Freshwater that is Surface Water is 1%. Moreover, the main components of Surface Freshwater are lakes (52%), soil moisture (38%), atmospheric water vapor (8%), water within organisms (1%), rivers (1%). a. According to the text (see text p269), what are the major uses of water by humans? Is this use holding steady or increasing? Why? According to the text the major uses of water by humans are agriculture (70%), industry (20%), and residential and municipal uses (10%). This use of water is increasing, because of the rapid population growth needed for agriculture to feed and clothe people. a. Opinion: is our current water use sustainable? Why or why not? In my opinion our current water use is not too sustainable, because there is a never-ending need for the demand of water, since the population grows constantly. Since we need to feed more people we have to grow our agricultural and industrial activities. both of which consume significant quantities of water. Overuse and mismanagement of water can lead to depletion of groundwater reserves, reduced water quality, and other negative effects. After watching the documentary videos, answer the following questions: a. Outline the flow of the water entering the Apalachicola Estuary beginning in the north Georgia mountains. In your answer, be sure to: a. Identify the major bodies of water involved (freshwater, brackish(estuarine), and ocean) b. Cite where the majority of the water comes from The flow of the water entering the Apalachicola Estuary begins in the North Georgia mountains, major rivers and tributaries contribute to this freshwater flow. The freshwater flows southward through the Apalachicola River, picking up sediments and nutrients along the way. As the freshwater from the upper reaches of the river flows south, it gradually mixes with estuarine or brackish water from the Apalachicola Bay. The Apalachicola Bay connects to the Gulf of Mexico, allowing for some exchange of water with the ocean. I noticed that most of the water comes from the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers. a. Who are the major human consumers of water in this watershed? How do they access the water - what type of infrastructure supports human water usage? The key consumers of water in the Apalachicola Estuary watershed are local communities, agricultural establishments, industrial plants, and recreational outlets. They have access to water through public utilities, private wells, and surface water. The supporting infrastructure includes treatment facilities, pipes, agricultural irrigation systems, and industrial water systems. a. What is the downstream impact of decreased water flow on the salinity (salt content) and water quality of

the Apalachicola estuary? The downstream impact of decreased water flow on the water quality of the Apalachicola estuary can cause insufficient freshwater to dilute pollutants and other contaminants, the concentration of these substances in the water can increase, potentially leading to harmful algal blooms, fish kills, and other negative impacts on the ecosystem. The downstream impact of decreased water flow on the salinity can cause an increase in salinity levels within the estuary. This is because less freshwater dilutes the saltwater, which can be detrimental to the estuary's ecology. Elevated salinity can be harmful to various species of aquatic organisms, particularly those adapted to a specific salinity range. a. What is the status of the Apalachicola Estuary oyster and seagrass population? How is this related to the humans use of and alteration of the Apalachicola R. watershed? The status of the Apalachicola Estuary oyster and seagrass population is that the oyster population in the estuary has declined over the past few decades. This is related to the human use of and alteration of the Apalachicola R. watershed because it has resulted in changes to the flow of freshwater and the salinity levels in the estuary. The Apalachicola River watershed, which includes the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers, has seen increased water usage for agricultural, industrial, and municipal purposes. Additionally, the construction of dams and reservoirs has altered the natural flow of water into the estuary. The reduction in freshwater flow and increased salinity in the estuary have had detrimental effects on the oyster population. a. What has been the impact of human alteration of the water system on the socioeconomics of the coastal human population that lives near the Apalachicola Estuary? Human alteration of the water system has impacted the socioeconomics of the coastal human population that lives near the Apalachicola Estuary is the decline in oyster and seagrass populations. It has impacted the livelihoods of commercial fishermen and oyster harvesters in the area, who rely on these resources for their income. This has created a noticeable decline in the oyster populations and has led to a decrease in the overall availability of this seafood product, resulting in lower profits for commercial harvesters and reduced employment opportunities for residents. Opinion 1. Is there a solution to this problem? How do we solve this depletion of freshwater and water distribution issue? Consider this question for both the human (population and agriculture) and the natural river/estuarine ecosystem perspective. (you should consider checking the text for help or research solutions on the web – cite your sources if this is the case) There are methods that could help lessen the depletion of freshwater and water distribution issues, for instance water conservation. Through the human perspective we can encourage water conservation through measures such as implementing water conservation practices in urban and agricultural areas, promoting efficient irrigation systems, fixing water leaks, and encouraging responsible water use in homes and industries. Through the natural ecosystem perspective we can conserve freshwater resources and benefit the estuarine ecosystem by maintaining adequate flows of freshwater to support its biodiversity. Another possible solution can be through sustainable agriculture. Through the human perspective we can encourage sustainable agricultural practices that optimize water use, such as precision agriculture and water-efficient crops. As well, promote responsible irrigation management. Through the natural ecosystem perspective we can reduce water consumption in agriculture and help maintain healthy river flows and protect the estuarine ecosystem. How is our local river/estuary/ocean system (Caloosahatchee R./Charlotte Harbor National Estuary/Gulf of Mexico) doing in terms of water quality/quantity and seagrass/oyster growth? Take a second to websearch this issue and provide a brief analysis. Are we experiencing similar issues?

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