Human Impact
Human impacts are often magnified because of the hydrologic cycle. This is due to the fact that pollutants often follow the path of the water
Withdrawal of Water
Humans remove water out of the system to irrigate crops, to provide us with drinking water and to carry out many of our industrial processes. Water also provides energy for many households and for many sanitation processes.
Discharge of Pollutants
Humans add substances to the water that cause its properties to change. As precipitation falls on the ground and moves into rivers and creeks, it picks up pollutants that range from dirt sediments to toxic chemicals. In rural areas, pollutants include farm pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers as well as wastes from septic systems. In urban areas, the pollutants include gas, oil, pet waste, fertilizers, pesticides, salt and treated human waste from sewage treatment plants. Pollutants often cause the
degradation and eutrophication of the water supplies.
Overall Impact
When rain, snow or sleet falls from clouds and flow through the contaminated areas or when water flows through streams that are contaminated, pollutants are dispersed. These contaminants may infect plant or animal life, including human beings, and reduce their ability to grow and reproduce. When water is removed from the environment to supply our growing needs, the reduced flow of water affect the local water supply and it may eventually change the local environment and alter the plant and animal species that are found here.
Withdrawal of Water
Humans remove water out of the system to irrigate crops, to provide us with drinking water and to carry out many of our industrial processes. Water also provides energy for many households and for many sanitation processes.
Discharge of Pollutants
Humans add substances to the water that cause its properties to change. As precipitation falls on the ground and moves into rivers and creeks, it picks up pollutants that range from dirt sediments to toxic chemicals. In rural areas, pollutants include farm pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers as well as wastes from septic systems. In urban areas, the pollutants include gas, oil, pet waste, fertilizers, pesticides, salt and treated human waste from sewage treatment plants. Pollutants often cause the
degradation and eutrophication of the water supplies.
Overall Impact
When rain, snow or sleet falls from clouds and flow through the contaminated areas or when water flows through streams that are contaminated, pollutants are dispersed. These contaminants may infect plant or animal life, including human beings, and reduce their ability to grow and reproduce. When water is removed from the environment to supply our growing needs, the reduced flow of water affect the local water supply and it may eventually change the local environment and alter the plant and animal species that are found here.