Homework Assignment 1

First Blog Question

Note on p. 7 major questions about water supply and purity. Keep these in the back of your mind all through the unit. Which is more critical in your opinion: lack of water or water pollution?

• The lack of water is more critical in my opinion because polluted water can be purified, whereas the lack of water cannot be changed if there is no substance present.

ISAS #1, 2, 8-13, 17 on p. 23-24

1. Assume that Jimmy Hendricks drank just packaged fruit juice during the water shortage. Does that mean he did not use any water? Explain.

• He would have used more water if he drank just packaged fruit juice during the water shortage because the amount of water used to make the package and harvest the fruit added up to be more than the amount of tap water that he would have drank.

2. List at least three indirect uses of water associated with producing a loaf of bread.

• Producing the wheat, baking the bread, and shipping the bread.

8. Has the world’s total water changed in the past 100 years? The past 1 million years? Explain.

• The world's total water has not changed in the past 100 years or 1 million years because water can take many different forms (solid, liquid, or gas) but the entire amount of water still remains the same.

9.  Rank the following locations in order of greatest to least total water abundance on Earth. 

• Oceans, glaciers, water vapor, rivers

10.  Consider this quotation: “Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.” Describe a situation in which this would be true.

• This would be true if you were stranded on an island, but the water around you was not purified. You would not have the option to drink the water since it is not fresh and not sanitary.

11. What percent of water is used in irrigation and agriculture in your US region?

• 77%

12. Fresh water makes up 2.8% of Earth's water supply.  Calculate the percentage of fresh water found in glaciers/ice caps and lakes.

• Glaciers and ice caps: 2.11%
• Lakes: 0.0009%

13. Explain why it might be possible that a molecule of water that you drank today was once swallowed by a dinosaur.

• The dinosaur's water evaporated and took a different form; therefore, a human could possibly drink that same molecule, just after it has undergone a different state.

17. Each person in the US uses an average of 370 L of water daily. Other sources, however, report that US per capita use is 4960 L. If both values are correct, explain this apparent discrepancy. 

• Although 370 L of water is most likely the direct water used, 4960 L of water is most likely both the direct and indirect water used.

A.5 Water Use in the Economy

1. For each region in the United States, name the greatest single use of water. 

• a.     The East: steam and electric   
• b.     The South: steam and electric   
• c.     The Midwest: steam and electric  
• d.     The West: irrigation and agricultural   
• e.     Alaska: mining   
• f.      Hawaii: irrigation and agricultural

2. Explain the difference in how water is used in the East and the West. Think about where most people live and where most of the nation’s factories and farms are located. What other regional factors help explain the general patterns of water use?

• While in the East, there is a more industrial economy and water's purpose to allow the steam and electricity flourish, in the West, many people's lives are based around farms and livestock and water's main purpose is to improve the irrigation and agriculture.

3. List two factors about the weather, economy, or culture that could explain the greatest water use within each of these six U.S. regions.

• a.     The East: steam and electric (industrial economy and inconsistent temperature changes)  
• b.     The South: steam and electric (industrial economy and inconsistent temperature changes)
• c.     The Midwest: steam and electric (industrial economy and inconsistent temperature changes)
• d.     The West: irrigation and agricultural (numerous farms and consistent temperatures)
• e.     Alaska: mining (industrial economy and cold climate)
• f.      Hawaii: irrigation and agricultural (rich farmlands and mild climate)