Phase 1: Lab Report

Assignment: SCI203 Phase 1 Lab Report

Title: Human Impacts on the Sustainability of Groundwater

Purpose

After reviewing groundwater levels from the last 3 centuries, the purpose of this lab is to see we have evolved and what our future holds for groundwater. If our current human development doesn’t change, will groundwater sustainability be affected?

Introduction

Earth’s surface has more than 70% water, however only 1% of water on Earth is deemed accessible and able to use freshwater to sustain human and other organism’s lives. Of that freshwater this is accessible, only 99% is located natural underground water chambers, aquifers, or other groundwater sources. The bad thing is human population is depleting these aquifers so fast they can’t be recharged by hydrological cycles. This makes ¾ of groundwater nonrenewable.

Hypothesis/Predicted Outcome

As population continues to grow and we use up all our resources we are going to struggle in future generations if we don’t make significant changes.

Methods

The procedure for this lab took data gathered from hydrologic cycle and shows the impact of industrialization and human development of ground water from over 3 centuries. The methods show over time what happened to forests, groundwater, saltwater, farming, industrial development and population and how these changes impact us.

Results/Outcome

I feel the outcome is pretty simple. If we continue to grow our population at the pace we are there needs to be significant changes. There is no way we can continue to use our resources without finding alternatives solutions. We already can’t supply food and water to everybody.

Time Period Impact to Forest Groundwater Levels Saltwater Intrusion Farming Industrial development Population
1800s Large forests Lots of groundwater No salt water intrusion Small farms No cities Limited housing
1900s Decreased by 50% Decreased by 50% Ocean moved into groundwater Farms are larger, but there are fewer Exceptional growth of cites and industrial development Substantial increase in housing
2000s Decreased by 90% Decreased by 90% Greater movement of ocean into ground water Same number of farms, but size decreased by 20% Industrial development decreased by 10-15% Housing development decreased by 10-15%

Discussion/Analysis

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