Land and Water Use in the USA and Other Countries - Research Paper Example

Land and water use in the USA and other countries Introduction Apart from streams, rivers and lakes, the underground water resources form the basis of serving around 140 million people in United States, for their drinking water and land use needs. However, contamination by the manmade activities, as well as, natural sources has changed the quality of these water bodies, from time to time. As naturally occurring rock and mineral formation, underground, vary from region to region, the physical and chemical properties of the underground water in such regions change accordingly. In addition to such natural phenomenon, the manmade pollution of the water bodies by dumping of chemicals and intentional applications of pesticides and over the surface, certainly affects the water quality, underground or above the surface. Hence, it is necessary that use of land should suit the water available in the area, while care must be taken to avoid the contamination of water, at all levels. In addition, it is equally essential that water is not wasted, while it is used for irrigation and other purposes. This is particularly important, as the population grows and the per capita demand of water increases. However, with the limited resources of water, excess use of same for land irrigation and other purposes may leave us without sufficient drinking water. Contamination of ground water by the human activity on the surface In most of the cases, the land is not used properly but misused intentionally, to maximize profits from the agricultural and industrial produce. This human activity certainly contaminates the area surrounding the particular region, along with the ground water of the area. However, the criteria for determining the magnitude of contamination of water in certain area would involve considering the process of contamination, while referring to different underground water sources. For example, the water in a well can be contaminated while the water charge for the same passes through the comminuted area before reaching the well. Accordingly, every well has a “contributing area”, which is responsible for the water quality in the well. Similarly the water bodies like streams, lakes and rivers can have contaminated water, which depends on the land use of their contributing area. The following guide map shows an indicative pattern of pollutants that occur either freely or are generated by manmade activities. The rainfall in the area accelerates the movement of these contaminants. The naturally moving contaminants are shown as white arrows, while the hatched arrows indicate the flow of other pollutants, resulting due to human activities………( Eckhardt, Water encyclopedia) (Source: http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/La-Mi/Land-Use-and-Water-Quality.html ) However, certain common contaminants, which are involved in the land use, are mostly responsible for the ground water contamination. These include the extensive use of Nitrate, as a form of fertilizer, which is essential for plant growth, while its abundance in the ground water areas like wells can cause methemoglobinemia in infants. Similarly, water from wells can be contaminated by human and animal sewage which carry bacteria and other pathogens that spread illness. Excessive use of pesticides and herbicides, which find application in killing of pests and undesirable weeds and grasses, could also contaminate the ground water, as most of these chemicals are poisonous for human consumption………….. (Eckhardt, Water encyclopedia) Most of the regions in United States get treated water, which is used for agriculture and industrial purposes, as well as for drinking. For example, in Alberta the water from surface water sources like rivers, streams and lakes is treated accordingly, although the following concerns remain for the supply of good quality surface water: Surface run-off The surface run-off carries the sediments which are full of human and animal waste, manmade fertilizers and manure, along with chemical pollutants that percolate thought the soil. The resulting pollutants to the drinking water can include fecal coliform like E-coli bacteria and other microorganisms like Giardia, which are dangerous for human and animal life. This problem is aggravated when the land under use belongs to the urban areas. Similarly, the water for agriculture or drinking purpose can get polluted by the harmful nutrients from sewage, manure and fertilizer run-off, which eventually could lead to eutrophication. Industrial activity can affect water quality The activity of energy related industries can damage the underground and over the surface water bodies, particularly where the oil pipelines are joined or the oil flow is tremendously high. Surface water could also be polluted by the dumping of salt water, produced from such industrial activities, into the surrounding water bodies. Accordingly, regulations are essential for controlling such pollution, in facilities, like the coalbed methane production activity in Alberta…….(Environment, Govt. of Alberta) While many nations have adopted the guidelines, detailed during the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992; AstraZeneca has adopted various local biodiversity action plans, which take the help of natural and locally available resources for developing their land estates, spread around the world. Accordingly, they design new facilities with utmost care for the environmental issues, regarding the land use, which involve soil and other land surveys, before venturing into the development of their land estates. In addition, the disposal of chemicals and other resultant pollutants are well-planned, at the design stage itself. Keeping the proper land use and quality of water in view, the company has been managing their 150 hectares parkland estate in UK, using traditional methods that are free of pollutants, like opting for livestock grazing instead of using mechanized or fuel-operated grass cutting systems, while reducing the use of herbicides, in the process…..( Managing biodiversity) Pollution over the surface causes contamination of water boies As pollution is the addition of human made contaminants to the environment, it is dangerous for the living organism, while many kinds of pollutants have the potential of making it impossible to sustain life, in the effected region. Land Pollution The factors responsible for land pollution include setting up of industries and chemical plants, involving production of nuclear material and other hazardous chemicals. While activities like mining, littering, disposal of human and animal sewage are also responsible for land pollution, it is also caused by oil refineries and deforestation. As per different reports, people in America generate around 1.8 billion disposable diapers, 220 million tires and 30 billion foam cups, each year, which are the major sources of land pollution in the country, while most of the landfill items are not recycled. However, the best way to reduce land pollution would be recycling the throw away garbage, while people should be made aware about the need for buying only biodegradable products. The motor and other oils should not be allowed to drip or spill over the naked land surface. Similarly, the land pollution can be controlled by reducing the use of pesticides and herbicides, while we should eat only organic food items. Water pollution This is caused by the addition of pollutants comprising of chemical, biological and physical matter into water bodies, like streams, rivers and lakes, which are responsible for damaging the quality of water, there-in, while degrading the lives connected with such water consumption. Several factories, refineries, mining and waste treatment facilities contribute to such pollution, while fertilizers, household chemicals and human as well as animal waste also add to water pollution of the specific region. The studies confirm that underground water in most of the regions of America contains almost 73 kinds of pesticides, as Americans use around 2.2 billion pounds of pesticides, each year, which ultimately find their way into the water bodies. Similarly, around 1.2 trillion gallons of sewage and industrial waste are discharged into American water bodies, every year. This pollution can be reduced by simple preventive measures that include proper maintenance of the septic systems, lesser or no use of pesticides and fertilizers, while not using any toxic chemicals for cleaning purposes…….(Pollution, 2010) Land use and water quality relationship While land use is determined by factors like soil characteristics, typography and climate of the area and its vegetation, the quality and quantity of water has direct influence on it. As land cover types include grass lands and forests, roads, parking lots and rivers/lakes, they may change their characteristics, due to social, cultural and economic activities related to the particular land use. Accordingly, it has the significant influence on the climate, biogeochemistry and ecology of the area. The land use and land cover directly influence the quality of water available in the area. For example, changing land use of a particular land cover from forest to agricultural to residential purposes can severely affect the quality of water available in the area, while it can have tremendous affect on its climate. Current Global warming phenomenon is a fine example of this………….(Water shed approach, Michigan State University, 1997) Some remedial measures There is an urgent need to upgrade the aging water and sever infrastructure, in United States and other countries. Therefore, efforts are being made to provide green infrastructure, which involves engineering new types of wetland systems that could solve the environmental problems, worldwide. As the wetland systems require processing and treatment of human and other waste, these can be used extensively in the residential areas, where sewerage disposal poses tough challenges. The wetland can be combined with the septic tank and soil absorption system in such cases. However, the availability of oxygen for such treatment process remains a concern. Therefore, aerated wetland systems have been developed, which make it possible for oxygen to be introduced in the treatment zone. Such aerated wetland systems are also effective in removing the pollutants commonly found in residential wastewater. A sketched diagram of such a wetland reactor is given below…………(Wallace, Engineered Wetlands…) (Source: http://www.landandwater.com/features/vol48no5/vol48no5_1.html ) Possible options that can stop such misuse While American Planning Association and other similar organizations, including The American law Institute cosponsored a conference on land use and water quality, titled “Wet Growth: Should Water Law Control Land Use”, during Feb 2003; several policy options were listed as recommendations to stop misuse of land which can deteriorate the water quality. The possible options, thus listed, include establishment of water markets, holding all water bodies in a state trust, linking the development of a specific area with the availability of water…………………(Matthew, 2003) BIBLIOGRAPHY Works-cited and list of sources used ( All accessed on 23rd to 25th April 2010) Eckhardt A.V. David, “Water encyclopedia—Land use and Water Quality”, available at : http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/La-Mi/Land-Use-and-Water-Quality.html Environment, Govt. of Alberta, “Impact of land use on water”, available at : http://environment.alberta.ca/1047.html Managing biodiversity, “Biodiversity, Land and Water Use”, available at: http://www.astrazeneca.com/responsibility/sustainable-production/?itemId=8453765 Matthew & McKinney, 2003, “Linking Growth and Land Use to Water Supply”, available at: http://www.lincolninst.edu/pubs/794_Linking-Growth-and-Land-Use-to-Water-Supply Pollution, 2010,” Green encyclopedia”, available at: http://www.greenstudentu.com/encyclopedia/pollution Wallace Scott, “ Engineered Wetlands Lead the way”, available at: http://www.landandwater.com/features/vol48no5/vol48no5_1.html Water shed approach, Michigan State University, 1997, “Land use effects on water quality and quantity”, available at: http://www.iwr.msu.edu/edmodule/water/wtrfrm1.htm Read More