Human Impacts on the Sustainability of Groundwater

Name: Michelle Forbes

Date: 10/9/2016

Instructor’s Name: Lindsey Nieratka

Assignment: SCIE211 Phase 1 Lab Report

Title: Human Impacts on the Sustainability of Groundwater

Purpose

The purpose of this lab is determine whether or not groundwater will be substantially affected if current human development does not change.

Introduction

Ground water is the water that is beneath the Earth’s surface. The water is stored in soil pores and rock formations. Groundwater is contained and transmitted through aquifers. Groundwater makes up roughly about 20% of the worlds fresh water supply and is about .61% of the worlds water source.

 Humans affect the groundwater in many ways. One of these ways is by agriculture development. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, agriculture has been one of the causes of ground water depletion. “Tillage of the land changes the infiltration and runoff characteristics of the land surface which in turn affects recharge to the groundwater. These processes either directly or indirectly affect the interaction of ground water and surface water.” (USGS.gov, 2013). Urban and industrial development contributes to the pollution of groundwater. Sources of contamination to the groundwater could be landfills, septic tanks, pesticides and so many more. Contaminants that are present in streams can also affect groundwater. As population increases so does the need for more communities which in turn requires more crops. All of these actions created by human development causes depletion in groundwater.

Hypothesis/Predicted Outcome

It is expected that if human development does not change that the groundwater will be significantly affected because as human development continues as it is the water will continue to deplete.

Methods

The lab looked at three different time frames. The 1800’s, 1900’s and the 2000’s. Within these time frames data was collected in six different areas. These areas were; impact to forest, groundwater levels, saltwater intrusion, farming, industrial development and population. The results are listed below of those findings.