Significant ideas:

1) The hydrological cycle is a system of water flows and

storage that may be disrupted by human activity
2) The ocean circulation system (ocean conveyor belt)
influences the climate and global distribution of water
(matter and energy)

About three-quarters of Earth's freshwater is stored in

glaciers. We are loosing much of that to increases in global
climate
Big Questions:
1) What strengths and weaknesses of the systems
approach and the use of models have been revealed
through this topic?
2) To what extent have the solutions emerging from this
topic been directed at preventing environmental
impacts, limiting the extent of the environmental
impacts, or restoring systems in which environmental
impacts have already occurred?
3) How are the issues addressed in this topic of relevance
to sustainability or sustainable development?
4) In what ways might the solutions explored in this topic
alter your predictions for the state of human societies
Big Questions:
1) and the biosphere some decades from now?
2) Many horological cycles cross international boundaries.
How does this affect the management of water?
3) Identify the solutions to the impacts of agriculture,
deforestation and urbanization on the hydrological
cycle
4) Can agriculture, deforestation and urbanization allow
for the natural functioning of the hydrological cycle?
5) In what ways may population growth and human
activities have an impact on the hydrological cycle of
the future?
Understandings
Statement Guidance

4.1.U1 Solar radiation drives the hydrological cycle

4.1.U2 Fresh water makes up only a small fraction

(approximately 2.6% by volume) of the Earth's
water storages

4.1.U3 Storage's in the hydrological cycle include

organisms, soil and various water bodies,
including oceans, groundwater (aquifers), lakes,
rivers, atmosphere, glaciers and ice caps

4.1.U4 Flows in the hydrological cycle include

evaporation, sublimation, evaporation,
condensation, convection (wind-blown
movement), precipitation, melting, freezing,
flooding, surface runoff, infiltration, percolation,
and stream-flow or currents

4.1.U5 Human activities such as agriculture,

deforestation and irrigation have a significant
impact on surface runoff and infiltration
Understandings
Statement Guidance

4.1.U6 Ocean circulation systems are driven by

differences in temperature and salinity. The
resulting difference in water density drives the
ocean conveyor belt, which distributes heat
round the world, and thus affects climate
Applications and Skills
Statement Guidance
4.1.A1 Discuss human impact on the hydrological cycle The effect of urbanization on water flows and
potential of flash floods should be
covered.
4.2.S1 Construct and analyse a hydrological cycle
diagram
• Globally, 1.2 billion people live in areas with
inadequate water supply
Source: International Water Management Institute

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-of-water-shortage.php
Water keeps us alive
Moderates climate
Sculpts the land
Removes and dilutes wastes and
pollutant
Moves continually through the
hydrologic cycle
4.1.U2 Freshwater makes up only a small fraction (approximately
2.6% by volume) of the Earth’s water storage
Earth’s water
• Only about 3%budget
of the water on our planet is fresh water
(97% salt water)
• 69% of fresh water is in polar ice caps and glaciers
• 30% is ground water
• The remaining 1% is lakes rivers swamps and in the
atmosphere
4.1.U2 Freshwater makes up only a small fraction (approximately
2.6% by volume) of the Earth’s water storage

• About 41 % of world’s
population lives in river basins
that do not have enough
freshwater
• Many parts of the world are
experiencing
• Rivers running dry
• Lakes and seas shrinking
• Falling water tables from over-
pumped aquifers

http://www.grida.no/resources/7597
4.1.U1 Solar radiation drives the hydrological cycle

• https://www.educationsoutheastwater.com.au/reso
urces/natural-water-cycle-game

• Insolation adds energy to liquid water, transforming

it to a gas (water vapor) through evaporation

• Uneven surface heating creates wind, transferring

water vapor horizontally within the atmosphere

• Vapor loses energy as it moves, condensing and

eventually fall as precipitation
https://water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycle-kids-ad
v.html
• Water cycle diagram
4.1.U3 Storages in the hydrological cycle include organisms, soil
and various water bodies, including oceans, groundwater
(aquifers), lakes, rivers, atmosphere, glaciers and ice caps

https://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/science/environmental-science/water-use-and-the-water-cyc
le/content-section-2.1
https://water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycle-kids-adv.html
4.1.U4 Flows in the hydrological cycle include evapotranspiration,
sublimation, evaporation, condensation, advection (wind-blown
movement), precipitation, melting freezing, flooding, surface
runoff, infiltration, percolation, and stream-flow or currents

https://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/science/environmental-science/water-use-and-the-water-
cycle/content-section-2.1
4.1.A2 Construct and analyse a hydrological cycle diagram
Construct a systems diagram of the hydrological cycle to
include flows, storages, transformation and transfers
Analyse scale of flows, direction of flows and scale of
storages

Storages: • Flows:
• Organisms • Evaporation • Surface Runoff
• Oceans • Transpiration • Infiltration
• Sublimation • Percolation
• Ground water
• Evaporation • Stream Flow
(aquifers)
• Condensation • Currents
• Lakes
• Advection (wind) • Flooding
• Soil • Freezing
• Precipitation
• Rivers • Melting
• Atmosphere
• Glaciers & Ice Caps
4.1.U6 Ocean circulation systems ae driven by differences in
temperature and salinity. The resulting difference in water density
drives the ocean conveyor belt, which distributes heat around the
world, and thus affects climate

https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2010/04/13/new-book-explores-link-between-climate-and-ocean-currents/
4.1.U6 Ocean circulation systems ae driven by differences in
temperature and salinity. The resulting difference in water density
drives the ocean conveyor belt, which distributes heat around the
world, and thus affects climate

• Water has a higher specific heat capacity than land.

• Therefore takes longer to heat up/cool down.
• This means land close to the oceans has a mild climate.
• E.g. The warm gulf stream/north Atlantic drift gives Britain (and NW Europe)
a moderate climate when we should have a subarctic climate.
4.1.U6 Ocean circulation systems ae driven by differences in
temperature and salinity. The resulting difference in water density
drives the ocean conveyor belt, which distributes heat around the
world, and thus affects climate
Ocean Currents and Energy Distribution
• Upwellings occur when cold
water moves up to replace
• Oceans play an important role in warm water
the distribution of energy • •Downwellings occur when
warm water moves down to
replace cold water.
4.1.U6 Ocean circulation systems ae driven by differences in
temperature and salinity. The resulting difference in water density
drives the ocean conveyor belt, which distributes heat around the
world, and thus affects climate

• El Nino Southern
Oscillation is a
phenomenon in the
Pacific that has global
consequences.
4.1.U4 Human activities such as agriculture, deforestation and
urbanization have a significant impact on surface runoff and
infiltration
• Domestic water ( drinking, washing, cleaning)
• Irrigation
• Industry (manufacturing, mining, and
agriculture)
• Hydroelectric power
• Transportation (ships on lakes/rivers)
• Boundaries (states and nations)
4.1.A1 Discuss human impact on the hydrological cycle

• Consider
• Extraction of water from storages
• Effect of warming temperatures on evaporation
rates
• Melting ice caps on ocean circulation
• Growing population demands for agriculture
and drinking water

https://www.circleofblue.org/2011/world/infographic-freshwater-withdrawal-tree-maps/
4.1.A1 Discuss human impact on the hydrological cycle

• Tree leaves intercept and slow the impact of rain drops on soil,
• Roots absorb water and hold soil in place
• Minimizing soil erosion
• Affect climate

https://socratic.org/questions/how-do-plants-prevent-erosion
4.1.A1 Discuss human impact on the hydrological cycle
Deforestation
• Forests are often harvested as a source of timber or cleared to make way
for urban growth, industrial development or for agriculture.
Deforestation Above China’s Yangtze River
Contribute to Erosion and Floods

Fig. 13-26, p. 341

4.1.A1 Discuss human impact on the hydrological cycle

Urbanization
• Clearing land of vegetation and covering it with 'hard' or impervious
surfaces can’t let water through.
• As a result, rainwater runs off these surfaces into our waterways as
polluted stormwater. This changes the timing, speed and volume of
water flows, which can affect our waterways and bays
4.1.A1 Discuss human impact on the hydrological cycle

Pollution
• Pollution such as fertilizer, heavy metals and sewage contaminate water
sources

• A World Ban study said four major rivers near Dhaka receive 1.5 million cubic
metres of waste water every day from 7,000 industrial units in surrounding areas
and another 0.5 million cubic meters from other sources
• sources. "Bangladesh River Pollution Threatens Millions."Reuters. Thomson Reuters, 2009. Web. 08 Mar.
2016.
4.1.A1 Discuss human impact on the hydrological cycle

Agriculture
• Largest user of water.
• This is expected to continue to rise due to an increase in population
requiring production of more food, and a change to a more meat-based
diet.
4.1.A1 Discuss human impact on the hydrological cycle

Agriculture
• Less Water = Increase in salinity
• Fish population declines
• Water pollution
• Leach of nutrients
• Animal waste

http://www.columbia.edu/~tmt2120/environmental%20impacts.htm
Desertification

• Desertification is a type of land

degradation land in which
relatively dry land region
becomes increasingly arid,
typically losing its bodies of
water as well as vegetation and
wildlife. It is caused by a variety
of factors, such as climate
change and human activities
https://www.env.go.jp/en/nature/desert/global_1.html
4.1.A1 Discuss human impact on the hydrological cycle

Groundwater Usage
• Groundwater is Being Withdrawn Faster
Than It Is Replenished
• Most aquifers are renewable
• Aquifers provide drinking water for half
the world
• Water tables are falling in many parts of
the world, primarily from crop irrigation

https://ensia.com/features/groundwater/
4.1.A1 Discuss human impact on the hydrological cycle

Groundwater Usage
• India, China, and the United States
• Three largest grain producers
• Over pumping aquifers for irrigation of crops
• Small farmers drilling tube wells
• Effect on water table
• Saudi Arabia
• Aquifer depletion and
irrigation
Groundwater Recharge Rates
4.1.A1 Discuss human impact on the hydrological cycle
Usage of Dams
• Main goal of a dam and reservoir system
• Capture and store runoff
• Release runoff as needed to control:
• Floods
• Generate electricity
• Supply irrigation water
• Recreation (reservoirs)
Provides Flooded land
irrigation destroys
water above forests or
and below
dam cropland and
displaces
people

Large losses
of water
through
evaporation
Provides
water for
drinking
Deprives
downstream
cropland and
Reservoir estuaries of
useful for nutrient-rich
recreation silt
and fishing

Risk of
Can produce failure and
cheap devastating
electricity downstream
(hydropower) flooding

Reduces down-
stream flooding
of cities and Disrupts
farms migration and
spawning of
some fish

Fig. 13-13a, p. 328

4.1.A1 Discuss human impact on the hydrological cycle

Desalination
• Desalination- Removing Salt from Seawater
• Distillation: evaporate water, leaving salts behind
• Reverse osmosis, microfiltration: use high pressure to
remove salts
• Problems: Very Costly, Kills Organisms, Creates Briny
Wastewater
• 14,450 plants in 125 countries
• Saudi Arabia: highest number
4.1.U4 Human activities such as agriculture, deforestation and
urbanization have a significant impact on surface runoff and
infiltration

Blue-green city
• What is a blue-green
city?
• What are the aims?
• How do they propose to
achieve those aims?

Create your own

blue-green city.