Abstract Created millions of years of ago through geologic action, the Ogallalaaquifer is a vast underground reservoir that runs west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains. This paper examines the evolution and deposition of the aquifer and discusses problems facing it today.
From the Paper "The main concern for the Ogallala is the fact that the aquifer has been cut off from most of its natural recharging sources (Ogallala pp). The Rocky Mountains have not supplied the aquifer for more than a thousand years, and the High Plains climate today is classified as semi-arid, receiving only fifteen to twenty inches of rainfall annually, most of which is subject to a high rate of evaporation due to the dry air and high winds (Ogallala pp). Moreover, many of the rivers, such as the Platte, Canadian, and Arkansas, actually drain the aquifer since they have water tables below that of the aquifer (Ogallala pp)."
Abstract This paper explains that urban sprawl and the ever increasing population of the United States is causing one million acres of farmland to be paved over each year in order to build roads. The author points out that the American Farmland Trust (ATF) has been instrumental in developing many policies that that focus on farmland protection and local food systems. The paper relates that paving causes the urban heat island effect (UHI), which occurs when a metropolitan area is significantly warmer than its surroundings. The author underscores that paving impacts the natural seepage of rainwater at the soil surface and creates more soil erosion. The paper states that paving reduces the total area through which the soil absorbs rainwater causing more flooding and decreasing the amount of water in natural aquifers.
From the Paper "Soil erosion is the gradual wearing away of land surface materials, especially rocks, sediments, and soils, by the action of water, wind, or a glacier. Erosion also involves the transport of eroded material from one place to another, as from the top of a mountain to an adjacent valley, or from the upstream portion of a river to the downstream portion. Soil erosion can cause the top soil to be removed from farmlands which has the nutrients for the crops to grow. Also erosion can cause stream and ditch bank erosion which can result in the undermining of structures such as bridges or roads."
Tags: undermining farmland aquifers, urban sprawl, heat island effect
Abstract The paper explains how the hydrologic cycle is fundamental for the overall health of the environment and the quality of the earth's water supplies. The paper then discusses the situation in Florida and emphasizes the importance of taking steps to conserve the water resources that are available, protecting the quality of Florida's aquifers and practicing good waste management techniques. The paper provides a glossary that contains key definitions for some of the terms important in the study of water management issues both in Florida and throughout the world.
Outline:
Introduction: The Hydrologic Cycle
Issues in Water Management
The Situation and Circumstances in Florida
Steps to Better Manage the Water Supply
Glossary
From the Paper "The hydrologic cycle is the process by which water moves through the environment. Surface water evaporates or transpires from surface collections and plants to condense in the atmosphere as clouds. Those clouds release precipitation that falls back to the Earth. Some of that water percolates through the surface and charges underground deposits of water. The hydrologic cycle consists of the passage of water through the environment in different states in response to environmental conditions. The hydrologic cycle includes processes such as storage as ice/snow, precipitation, infiltration, ground water storage, ocean storage, evaporation, condensation, evapo-transpiration, surface runoff, springs, and sublimation (Cervone, "Florida Aquifers"; "Hydrologic Cycle"; Perlman)."
Abstract Waste management and the landfill industry in general have emerged in the past few decades as an area of concern for citizens, government officials and policy makers alike. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was designed to govern the handling and disposal of "hazardous wastes" at sites that were then currently active. The RCRA affects sites where such wastes were treated, stored or disposed of since November 19, 1980. Thus, any person that generates "hazardous waste" is governed, as are persons that treat, store or dispose of hazardous wastes. This paper discusses the changes in the waste management and landfill industry as a result of the RCRA, the reconfiguration of the solid waste industry after the EPA banned local small dumps, and includes policy analysis and recommendations for the future in this area.
From the Paper "The RCRA requires landfill owners to prove that they can afford to maintain their landfills after closure and to correct environmental problems the landfills cause. Trust funds are the most promising of the mechanisms owners may use to provide financial assurance (Lee, at 35-39). After the EPA banned small dumps, a large landfill industry arose, causing a reconfiguration of the solid waste industry. Public and private landfill owners face additional compliance deadlines under the municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill regulations issued by the EPA."
Abstract In 1989 it was discovered that a Uniroyal Chemical Company plant was discharging toxic effluent into Canagagigue Creek and local aquifers. This paper examines the development of the plant, the development of the toxic threat and its consequences.
Abstract This paper discusses the transformation of water that takes place through a continuation process referred to as a hydrological cycle, which derives its momentum from solar energy and gravity. The paper analyzes the various methods for maintaining an adequate water level. The paper contends that a comprehensive examination, analysis, and determination of the hydrologic and geological characteristics of a selected location are essential for the productive management of the water resource.
Outline
The Occurrence of Ground Water
Properties and Classification of Water-Bearing Formations
Darcy's Law
Measures of Water Quantity
Utilization of Groundwater
Permeability
Water Level Measurements
From the Paper "The groundwater is observed to rest on the empty spaces of the natural elements such as soils, unconsolidated settlings and rocks. Envisaging the level of underwater is quite a hard task. It is considered by some that the groundwater is reserved in the subversive lakes and flows in subversive rivers. The groundwater is the underlying water beneath the ground that is fully soaked through the small outlets of soils and rocks. The groundwater is refilled primarily by the downpour and determined totally by the local environment and geology, which causes its disproportionate distribution in both quantity and quality."
Abstract This paper provides an overview of the problems currently being experienced in delivering sufficient quantities of water to those who need it, followed by an analysis of potential alternatives and their expected consequences. A summary of the research is provided in the conclusion.
From the Paper "In Greek mythology, Poseidon used his mighty trident to rule over the entire world's supply of water. Today, though, just ten enormous global conglomerates are exploiting the murky regulations that govern international trade to do just the same. According to the research presented in Blue Gold: The Fight to Stop the Corporate Theft of the World's Water, an emerging water cartel is exploiting cross-border pacts such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade to buy up--and potentially dry up--the earth's over-extended freshwater supplies (Siegel, 2003). The trend continues in California and other western states, where the business of water-rights trading, particularly concerning the Colorado River, is gaining momentum. Furthermore, the niche market for bottled water (as exemplified by Nestle, Coca-Cola, and PepsiCo) has proven to be lucrative, yet largely unregulated."
Abstract This paper provides an analysis of "Cadillac Desert", by Marc Reisner. It incorporates ideas of environmental justice, social justice. It explores the purpose of the book, which is to show the historical mismanagement of water in the American West. The author also addresses the issue of the scarcity of water.
From the Paper "John Wesley Powell was an early visionary regarding the ecology of the American West. He believed that cities should not be built in deserts and that the only development that should take place in an area was that which could be ..."
Tags: desertification, water, Olgalala aquifer, dam construction, environmentalists, development
Abstract This paper examines how the permeability of soil affects soil and rock parameters. The author explains porosity in soil and discusses how the ratio or air, water and clay in soil affect its parameters. The paper defines several soil types and discusses the characteristics of each soil classification. The paper also examines external and human factors that can alter the characteristic of soil. The paper then discusses aquifers and ground water and explains how this information, when used with a good knowledge of soil porosity and permeability, can be a great tool for having and maintaining an adequate amount of water for people. Figures are included in this paper.
From the Paper "Consequently, identifying the presence of these two regions containing soils that can readily retain moisture is extremely significant. This is because this data is imperative for the purposes of not only measuring the moisture capacity of the soil itself but in assessing accurately the potentiality for leaching through the addition of agricultural chemicals added."
