E-Book Content
The Water Planet
E N V I R O N M E N T AT R I S K
CHRISTINE PETERSEN
Copyright © 2011 Marshall Cavendish Corporation Published by Marshall Cavendish Benchmark An imprint of Marshall Cavendish Corporation All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Request for permission should be addressed to the Publisher, Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 99 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591. Tel: (914) 332-8888, fax: (914) 332-1888. Website: www.marshallcavendish.us This publication represents the opinions and views of the author based on Christine Petersen’s personal experience, knowledge, and research. The information in this book serves as a general guide only. The author and publisher have used their best efforts in preparing this book and disclaim liability rising directly and indirectly from the use and application of this book. Other Marshall Cavendish Offices: Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited, 1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196 • Marshall Cavendish International (Thailand) Co Ltd. 253 Asoke, 12th Flr, Sukhumvit 21 Road, Klongtoey Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand • Marshall Cavendish (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Times Subang, Lot 46, Subang Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Batu Tiga, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia Marshall Cavendish is a trademark of Times Publishing Limited All websites were available and accurate when this book was sent to press. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Petersen, Christine. Renewing Earth’s waters / by Christine Petersen. p. cm.— (Environment at risk) Includes bibliographical references and index. Summary: “Provides comprehensive information on the interrelationship of the natural world, environmental problems both natural and man-made, the relative risks associated with these problems, and solutions for resolving and/or preventing them”—Provided by publisher. ISBN 978-1-60870-307-4 1. Water conservation. 2. Water quality. 3. Watershed management. 4. Environmental protection. I. Title. TD388.P48 2010 333.91’16—dc22 2008020905 Editor: Christine Florie Publisher: Michelle Bisson Art Director: Anahid Hamparian Series Designer: Sonia Chaghatzbanian Expert Reader: Dr. Hugo A. Loaiciga, Professor, Department of Geography, University of California at Santa Barbara Photo research by Marybeth Kavanagh Cover photo by age fotostock/SuperStock The photographs in this book are used by permission and through the courtesy of: SuperStock: Gary Brettnacher, 2; Fogstock LLC, 24; Dembinsky Photo Assoc.: 71; NASA/Phil Degginger, 6; Gary Meszaros, 32; Photo Researchers, Inc.: Lynette Cook, 9; Gary Hincks, 11, 15; Robert Brook, 37; David R. Frazier Photolibrary, Inc., 57; Calvin Larsen, 77; Inga Spence, 79; USGS: John Evans, 13; Corbis: Lowell Georgia, 17; Mark Hanauer, 73; Roberstock.com: Jerry Monkman, 22; Animals Animals-Earth Scenes: Michael Gadomski, 26; C.C. Lockwood, 45; Peter Arnold Inc.: WILDLIFE, 28; Alamy: Rick & Nora Bowers, 30; Minden Pictures: Flip Nicklin, 34; The Image Works: David M. Jennings, 41; Ilja C. Hendel/VISUM, 50; AP Photo: Key West Citizen, Rob O’Neal, 46; PhotoEdit: Dennis MacDonald, 61; NASA: Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio, 63; Mira.com: Tyler Campbell, 64; Designed by Conservation Design Forum, Elmhurst, IL. www.cdfinc.com, 83
Printed in Malaysia (T)
135642
Contents One
The Water Planet 7
Two
Healthy Aquatic Ecosystems 20
Three
The Clean Water Act 36
Four
Our Impact on Water 56
Five
Managing for the Future 75
Notes 85 Further Information 104 Bibliography 106 Index 108
6
One