Name Jennifer Belldateinstructors Nameassignment Sci203 Phase 1 L ✓ Solved
Name: Jennifer Bell Date: Instructor’s Name: Assignment: SCI203 Phase 1 Lab Report Title: Human Impacts on the Sustainability of Groundwater Instructions: You will need to write a 1-page lab report using the scientific method to answer the following question: · If current human development does not change, will groundwater sustainability be affected? When your lab report is complete – submit it in the classroom. Part I: Using the time progression of industrialization and human development, fill in the data table below to help you write up your lab report. Time Period Impact to Forest Groundwater Levels Saltwater Intrusion Farming Industrial development Population 1800s 1900s 2000s Part II: Write a 1-page lab report using the following scientific method sections: · Purpose · State the purpose of the lab. · Introduction · This is an investigation of what is currently known about the question being asked.
Use background information from credible references to write a short summary about concepts in the lab. List and cite references in APA style. · Hypothesis/Predicted Outcome · A hypothesis is an educated guess. Based on what you have learned and written about in the Introduction, state what you expect to be the results of the lab procedures. · Methods · Summarize the procedures that you used in the lab. The Methods section should also state clearly how data (numbers) were collected during the lab; this will be reported in the Results/Outcome section. · Results/Outcome · Provide here any results or data that were generated while doing the lab procedure. · Discussion/Analysis · In this section, state clearly whether you obtained the expected results.
Also discuss the results and what you learned from this lab. · Note: You can use the lab data to help you discuss the results and what you learned. Provide references in APA format. This includes a reference list and in-text citations for references used in the Introduction section. Give your paper a title and identify each section as specified above. Although the hypothesis will be a 1-sentence answer, the other sections will need to be paragraphs to adequately explain your experiment.
Paper for above instructions
Human Impacts on the Sustainability of GroundwaterPurpose
The purpose of this lab report is to investigate the potential impact of ongoing human development on the sustainability of groundwater resources. The study will focus on examining historical data and projecting future trends to provide insight into whether groundwater levels can be maintained under current development practices.
Introduction
Groundwater is an essential component of the Earth’s hydrological cycle, acting as a crucial source of freshwater for agriculture, industry, and domestic use. As human populations grow and urbanization expands, the demand for groundwater increases, raising concerns about sustainability. Historical trends indicate that industrialization and agricultural practices have significantly affected groundwater levels. For instance, groundwater extraction for farming and industrial development has led to declining aquifer levels, while urbanization has caused saltwater intrusion, particularly in coastal regions (National Research Council, 1997). Studies show that over-extraction of groundwater leads to depletion, impacting ecosystems and water quality (United Nations, 2015). The World Bank (2019) predicts that if current practices continue, water scarcity due to groundwater depletion may affect up to 2 billion people by 2050, highlighting the urgency of investigating the sustainability of this vital resource.
Hypothesis/Predicted Outcome
If current human development practices do not change, then groundwater sustainability will significantly decrease due to continuous depletion and contamination.
Methods
To analyze the human impacts on groundwater sustainability, historical data on the time progression of industrialization, agricultural practices, population growth, and their effects on groundwater was compiled. The data spans three key periods: the 1800s, the 1900s, and the 2000s. For each time period, impacts on forests, groundwater levels, saltwater intrusion, and farming methods were recorded based on existing literature and governmental reports. This data was synthesized to establish a clear connection between human activities and their effects on groundwater sustainability.
Results/Outcome
The analysis indicated several key trends over the specified time periods:
- 1800s: Groundwater levels were relatively stable, with limited industrial activity and smaller populations relying primarily on traditional farming methods.
- 1900s: Industrialization began to escalate, leading to increased groundwater extraction. By this time, the impact of farming intensified with the introduction of mechanized agriculture, which required more water.
- 2000s: Rapid population growth coupled with extensive industrial development resulted in a marked decline in groundwater levels. Saltwater intrusion became evident in coastal areas, further exacerbating the situation. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (2016), over 20% of the U.S. coastal aquifers are experiencing saltwater intrusion.
Discussion/Analysis
The results of this analysis align with the initial hypothesis that continued human development impacts groundwater sustainability. The historical data illustrates a clear trend: as industrialization and population density increased, the sustainability of groundwater diminished. The findings also support research indicating that without significant management strategies, groundwater resources may not sustain future demands (Custodio & Bruggeman, 2008).
Saltwater intrusion poses a particular risk in coastal regions, potentially contaminating freshwater aquifers and threatening both drinking water supplies and agricultural irrigation (Post et al., 2012). The findings suggest a pressing need for the implementation of sustainable practices that balance human needs with the preservation of groundwater resources. Strategies could include conservation measures, improved agricultural techniques, and regional policies that address over-extraction and contamination.
In conclusion, the evidence gathered indicates a strong likelihood that if current development trends continue unchanged, groundwater sustainability will be severely affected, ultimately threatening the availability of this critical resource for future generations.
References
Custodio, E., & Bruggeman, W. (2008). Groundwater management in the face of climate change. Hydrogeology Journal, 16(2), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-007-0216-3
National Research Council. (1997). Groundwater resources planning in the United States. National Academies Press. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.17226/5785
Post, V. E., et al. (2012). Sea-level rise and the vulnerability of the freshwater supply: California’s challenge. Environmental Research Letters, 7(3), 1-7.
United Nations. (2015). Water for Sustainable Living: A Global Perspective. United Nations. Retrieved from https://www.unwater.org/publications/water-sustainable-living-global-perspective
World Bank. (2019). Groundwater: Critical for the economy and the environment. World Bank. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/watersupply/brief/groundwater
U.S. Geological Survey. (2016). Saltwater intrusion. Retrieved from https://www.usgs.gov/saltwater-intrusion
Scanlon, B. R., et al. (2007). Global impacts of groundwater depletion. Global Change Biology, 13(11), 2205-2215. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2007.01429.x
Rundquist, B. C. (2017). Impact of Urban Growth on Groundwater Resources. Urban Water Journal, 14(2), 162-171. https://doi.org/10.1080/1573062X.2017.1317891
Sullivan, C. A., & Meigh, J. R. (2005). Targeting attention on local information requirements for water management. Water Resources Management, 19(1), 11-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-005-4349-6.
Gleick, P. H. (2003). Global freshwater resources: Soft path solutions for the 21st century. Science, 302(5650), 1524-1528. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1089017