Human Effects on Hydrosphere

• Human uses of water

  Agriculture- uses 70% for mainly irrigation

  Industry- uses 22% for cooling, heating, washing and solvent

  Domestic- uses 8% for flushing, washing and hygiene
• Global demand for water


  Increasing population, increasing affluence,

  increased irrigation, industrialisation
• deforestation, effects in the hydrological cycle


  -> less vegetation to intercept water and evaporate before reaching the ground

  -> less trees to return soil water to the atmosphere through transpiration

  -> the loss of trees can cause significant reduction in precipitation in downwind areas
• Agriculture, effects on the hydrological cycle


  -> soils are compacted by heavy machines and livestock, water cannot soak through, which increases surface runoff

  ->crop irrigation increases evaporation rates
• Urban development, effects on the hydrological cycle


  -> urban areas tend to have more impermeable surfaces, concrete and tarmac

  -> rapid runoff can create flooding in surrounding areas
• Global climate change, effects on the hydrological cycle


  -> higher global temperatures affect rates of melting, evaporation and condensation as well as wind patterns

  -> combined they alter amount, timing and location of rain