Water Cycle: Pollutions Effects

"Water may be the resource that defines the limits of sustainable development.“ -Environmental News Service

>Aerosol<

>Aerosols are mostly made up of small particles of black carbon that enter the atmosphere as a gas.

>These gases are caused by burning fossil fuels such as oil and coal, and by burning trees and plants.

>Researchers say aerosols in the atmosphere may be slowly reducing the water supplies on which people and animals depend.

>Aerosols are reducing the amount of sunlight going into the ocean, which is needed in evaporation.

>”As sunlight heats the ocean, water escapes into the atmosphere and falls as rain. However, scientists say aerosols are blocking large amounts of sunlight. They say this reduction may be weakening the water cycle of the planet. “ –Cynthia Kirk

Effects on Clouds/ Condensation:

>Within clouds, aerosols can limit the size of cloud droplets, interfering in the development of the larger droplets required for raindrops.

>A reduction of rain and snowfall caused by aerosol pollutants can affect the renewal of the world's major fresh water supplies.

>It could affect lakes, groundwater supplies, ice and snowfall in mountain areas.

“A report by the United Nations Population Fund found that water use has increased by six times during the past seventy years. Scientists say that if usage continues at its current rate, the fresh water supply could become the most serious problem facing the world. “

<Works Cited>http://healthandenergy.com/pollution_and_drought.htm

http://www.manythings.org/voa/01/011214er_t.htm

http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercyclesummary.html

http://www.climateark.org/articles/2001/4th/aepocoul.htm

http://www.mountwashington.org/