Assignment 1: Due January 25, 2010 for the Class Discussion on Technology and the Hydrologic Cycle

Use the ACS data base provided by our library to get the following article that appeared in the "A" pages of the journal "Environmental Science and Technology" (May, 2001/Volume 35, Issue 9, pp 192A-197A).  NOTE: YOU MUST SEARCH THE 'A - Pages'...look for this option at the left hand side.

We discussed biological, chemical and physical means by which we humans disrupt or impact the hydrologic cycle.  In the article "Re-engineering the toilet for sustainable wastewater management", the authors write "waterborne transport and centralized treatment (of human waste) consumes large amounts of fresh water".  

Read the article and be prepared to critically evaluate whether new toilet technology is a viable option for saving our fresh water resources.  Be ready (that means have some point form notes ready) to discuss how effective this technology would be in theory, and in real-world use.  Why do you think this technology is not being used widely today?

Prepare a list of three "technologies" that have been effective at lessening our impact on natural water resources.  Prepare a list of three current problems associated with fresh waters that need to be addressed, perhaps with technology.