Earth Science

WATER RESOURCES AND HUMAN ACTIVITY THAT

AFFECTS THE QUALITY OF WATER AND SOIL

TWO MAIN SOURCES OF WATER HUMAN ACTIVITY THAT

AFFECTS THE QUALITY OF WATER
1.) Surface Water AND SOIL
Water present on the surface of the earth
in the form of oceans, rivers, lakes, reservoirs,  Soil can be defined as the organic and
ponds, and streams is called surface water. inorganic materials on the surface of the earth
The water in rivers and lakes comes from that provide the medium for plant growth.
rain and melting of snow on mountains, river flows  Soil develops slowly over time and is
into the sea. composed of many different materials
through the process of weathering.
2.) Underground Water  Soil is a necessary resource because it helps
Some of rainwater seeps through the soil sustain life on Earth including humans,
on to the non-porous rocks below. This is animals and plants.
underground water.  Aside from life sustaining roles, soil helps
Sometimes due to high pressure, this purify, or clean, water as it drains through the
water sprouts out in the form of springs. It can be ground and into rivers, lakes, and oceans.
obtained by digging wells or sinking tube wells,  In addition, decomposers in soil also help
etc. recycle nutrients by breaking down the
Groundwater lies under the surface of the remains of plants and animals, releasing
land, where it travels through and fills opening in nutrients that living plants use to grow.
the rocks. The rocks that store and transmit  Soil also provides a home for a variety of
groundwater are called aquifers. living things, from tiny one-celled organisms
to small mammals.
Water Distribution on Earth
1. Farming
The first pie chart shows how almost all  Positive Effect of Farming
Earth’s water is saline and is found in the oceans.  Application of herbicide, a pesticide used to
Of the small amount that is actually freshwater, kill unwanted plants used in farming has a
only a relatively small portion is available to positive benefit on soil health.
sustain human, plant, and animal life.  Lime and mineral fertilizers added to soil
It is observed that only 3% of Earth’s provide table optimum growing conditions
water is freshwater which is the water needed for for plants.
life to survive.  Organic manures and other organic fertilizers
provide a source of food/energy for many soil
The middle pie chart shows the organisms thus making the soil healthy and
breakdown of freshwater. Almost all of it is good for planting.
confirmed in ice and in the ground. Only 0.3% of  Even the growing plants help in stabilizing
all freshwater is surface water, which serves the soil structure.
most of life’s needs.  Another important effect of farming on soil
health is the provision of water through
The list pie shows the breakdown of irrigation and drainage.
surfce water. Most of this water is found in lake.  Irrigation/drainage water stabilizes the soil
Rivers make up 2% of surface freshwater and 11% moisture thus making it healthier and more
swamps. suitable for planting.
Although rivers accout for only a small
amount of freshwater, this is where humans get a  Negative Effect of Farming
large portion of their water.  Tillage in farming is the preparation of soil
for planting and the cultivation of soil after
planting.
 It can cause direct damage to soil
microorganisms and potentially expose those
to new predators.
 Though pesticides are found beneficial to soil,
it was found to have long term harmful
effects on the overall activity or population of
soil organisms.
 Some applied veterinary medicines are found
to affect the normal degradation rate of some
insects and animals, thus altering the soil’s
health

2. Construction of Structure
 Construction activities, such as grading and
filling, reduce soil quality on construction
sites.
 Land use conversion usually done to support
urbanization activities can cause rapid soil
degradation and sedimentation.
 Soil nutrients arewashed away making it
unsuitable for farming.
 Earth Science
HUMAN ACTIVITY THAT
AFFECTS THE QUALITY OF WATER AND SOIL

3. Waste Disposals  Crop Rotation

 Soil quality is adversely affected by improper  Crop rotation is a process that works to
waste disposal. conserve soil. It is accomplished by planting
 Soil pollution happens when hazardous and growing a serious of different crops in
chemicals from human and industrial sewage the same soil. This process prevents
are carelessly disposed of, altering soil’s overgrowth of pathogens and a lack of
natural health and quality. fertility in the soil, overall.
 It is therefore imperative that we protect and
preserve soil.  Water the Soil
 There are methods of soil conservation and  This is a simple process that provides a lot of
protection that can be observed in order to benefits to the soil. Watering your soil along
protect and conserve our soil at the same time. with plants and vegetables is important. This
 The goal here is to reduce erosion and to helps to not only nourish the soil but to
ensure the soil’s fertility protect it. Moist soil is not in danger of
erosion due to wind activity.
WAYS TO PROTECT AND
CONSERVE THE SOIL  Maintain pH
 Soil pH or soil reaction is an indication of the
 Forest Protection acidity or alkalinity of soil and is measured in
 Trees as well as other plants and vegetation pH units. A pH range of approximately 6 to 7
in the forest are important in the creation of promotes the readiest availability of plant
new soil as leaves and other vegetation rot nutrients. The pH levels in the soil can be
and decompose. Hence, soil qualities are affected by a number of pollutants and acid.
ensured when forest are protected and
conserved  Indigenous Crops
 Indigenous crops are native crop options that
 Buffer Strips enhance the soil. Planting these is a way to
 Buffers are strips or corridors of permanent ensure conservation efforts. They should be
vegetation used to reduce water and wind planted even when diverse crops are being
erosion. They provide protection where planted, as well
stream banks exist. They can be created with
grass, trees and shrubs.  Afforestation
 Planting trees is a method of conserving the
 No-Till Farming soil. Afforestation is another of tree planting
 No-till farming is an approach that allows method wherein the areas under trees are
crops to remain in place for a season. This protected. This is usually done by planting
keeps the soil from being left bare and foliage in forest undergrowth areas. It
unprotected. encourages healthy soil and water absorption

 Fewer Concrete Surfaces  Monitor Greasing.

 Soil requires an adequate amount of water in  Animal grazing plays a critical role in
order to function properly. Lots of concrete conserving soil. Monitoring the areas where
surfaces, especially in residential areas make cows and other animals graze is important.
it difficult for water to get to the soil. Using This helps to prevent depletion of the soil. It
paving stones for patios and gardens work to also addresses the issue of hoof damage,
protect the soil. They are also a tool to which can occur to the soil.
prevent soil erosion in specific areas.
 Dams
 Plant Windbreaker Areas  Dams are important resources when it comes
 Windbreaks are composed of shrubs, plants to soil conservation. These structures work to
and trees. They work in combination and prevent soil erosion. This is especially
serve a conservation purpose. These will important in areas where rivers exist.
work together to slow the force of wind over Flooding of rivers has been the cause for
ground areas. This is a method that can also many instances of soil erosion. Dams offer
work to prevent erosion of the soil. additional protection.

 Terrace Planting  Fertilizers

 This type of planting is done by maximizing  Not all fertilizer products are effective for
the topography of the land. It benefits from conservation efforts. The composition of
the way the rain water flows naturally. This is these fertilizers can be the problem. The use
a way to protect the soil from erosion. It is of organic fertilizer improves the quality of
also a proven method to encourage growth soil because it is composed of readily
from moist soil areas. biodegradable materials make better nutrient
sources.
 Plant Trees
 Simply planting trees is a good conservation  No Soil Compacting
method. As the tree grows, its roots become  A simple conservation method that some
even more secure in the soil. This soil is gardeners and farmers apply is not to
protected in numerous ways because of the compact the soil. This is a protection method
trees’ existence. Erosion is prevented from that is helpful. You can do this by creating
this planting process. dedicated paths in your garden. This helps
you to not walk on wet soil causing it to be
compacted.
 Earth Science
HUMAN ACTIVITY THAT
AFFECTS THE QUALITY OF WATER AND SOIL

 Control Storm Water

 Instead of allowing water to puddle in yards
or gardens, it is important to control it. Storm
water can easily cause flooding or problems
in these areas. Setting up large container to
hold excess water in problem locations is
helpful. This water can be re used for
watering gardens and yards.

 Monitor Growth
 When crops or plants grow normally, they
have a healthy appearance. It there is a
problem with the growth, often the soil is the
issue. Checking the salient composition and
fertility is important. This is done through
regular monitoring of the soil and overall
plant growth.