Explanation About two-third of the yearly surface runoff in streams and rivers is lost through seasonal floods and is not accessible for the use of humans. The one-third that remains is reliable surface runoff, which can be normally considered as a source of freshwater from year after year. Therefore, reliable surface runoff can be referred to as the amount of water available for human use. Nearly 34% of the world’s reliable surface runoff is used by human. Certain water experts propose that due to the effect of population growth, increasing rates of water use per person, prolonged dry periods in certain regions, and failure to decrease the excessive water losses together, by 2025 humans are expected to be extracting up to 90% of the reliable freshwater runoff. It is for agriculture that nearly 92% of the world’s water is being utilized. A water footprint refers to a rough measure of the freshwater volume that is being directly and indirectly used by the humans to keep themselves alive and to support their lifestyles. The water used for drinking purposes and other domestic human uses may be included under this measure. Freshwater that is not directly used up, rather is utilized for the production of food and other products is termed as virtual water, and it constitutes a great part of the human water footprints, particularly in more-developed countries. For instance, producing food such as hamburger needs about 12 tubs of water, making of jeans needs about 72 tubs of water, and building a house needs about 16,600 tubs of water. On account of the U.S. Geological Survey, around 79 percent of the water utilized in the United States is for the purposes of irrigating crops (40%) and eliminating heat from electric power plants (39%). In the East, most of the water is used for power plant cooling and manufacturing. In the semiarid and arid regions located in the western half of the United States, it is for irrigation that about 85% of water is used...

The definition of reliable surface runoff. The percentage of the world’s reliable runoff that is used by humans and the percentage that humans are likely to use by 2025. The way in which most of the world’s water is used. The definition of water footprint and virtual water along with two examples of each. The description for the availability and use of freshwater resources in the United States and the water shortages that could befall during this century. Three major problems resulting from the way people are using water from the Colorado River basin.

EBK LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT

19th Edition

ISBN: 9781337516082

Author: Miller

Publisher: CENGAGE LEARNING - CONSIGNMENT

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Chapter 13, Problem 3CR

To determine

The definition of reliable surface runoff. The percentage of the world’s reliable runoff that is used by humans and the percentage that humans are likely to use by 2025. The way in which most of the world’s water is used. The definition of water footprint and virtual water along with two examples of each. The description for the availability and use of freshwater resources in the United States and the water shortages that could befall during this century. Three major problems resulting from the way people are using water from the Colorado River basin.

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Chapter 13, Problem 2CR

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