Water and the Environment Exam 1 - Kent State, Dr. Singh, GEOL-33025

Why study water?

Water is essential for the existence of life and human survival.

Why study environments?

-It's the host of water. It controls water quality and quantity.
-Water and quality and quantity are essential to sustaining all life forms.

What is the importance of water?

It lead to the origin of life; it's primordial soup.

What are the 2 main elements (non-chemical) for why we exist on Earth?

1. Water
2. Atmosphere

Where are the earliest known life forms found?

In hydrothermal vents

What were the 2 first in time civilizations discussed in class?

-Mesopotamia
-Indus Valley

What happened to the first civilizations and why? (Generalized)

They all died because of the decline in water availability and it's poor quality.

What caused the lack of water for the first civilizations?

-Rivers changed course; led to flooding, drought, and desertification.
-Drop in water level.
-Improper farming methods led to soil salinization.
-Forced migration, trade collapse, and cattle died.

What happened to the Murray-Darling Basin in Australia?

Euro settlers cleared the natural, deep rooted vegetation, which causes the water table to rise. This plus over irrigation and erosion brought salty water to the surface.

What results from salinization of soils?

-Crop failures
-Accelerated erosion
-Cultural displacement

What happened to the Aral Sea in Asia?

Soviets diverted 2 river inputs from the sea for crop irrigation. This dried the lake and increased its salinity.

What caused the Dust Bowl?

There was severe drought and new farming tech was unused to plow unfarmed land. Drought tolerant prairies were replaced with wheat, resulting in loose soil that led to wind erosion.

Why did the Cuyahoga River catch fire?

Anyone could dump waste into the river, even flammables like oil and sewage.

How many times did the Cuyahoga River catch fire?

13

What was the catalyst to the creation of the Clean Water Act of 1972?

The Cuyahoga River burning so often.

What causes HAB (harmful algal blooms)?

Over abundance of nutrients in water.

What causes HAB in Lake Erie

Excessive nutrient input from Maumee River

What industry consumes the most water?

Thermoelectric power

How much of Earth's water is salty? How much is available fresh?

97% is salty, <1% available (for use) fresh