Water Quality in Florida

WATER CLEANLINESS ISSUES IN FLORIDA

By

Pete Shore

Presented to Professor Norma Little

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course

HLTH 5000

November 13, 2012

Water Cleanliness Issues in Florida

The same amount of water exists on the Earth since creation. Although some of the astronauts may have discharged a few gallons into the void of space as wastewater during their missions, water does not disappear into the atmosphere never to be seen again. However, the water quality has changed over time because of humankind’s lack of appreciation and indifference toward the planet, thus making potable or drinkable water increasingly scarce.

Water Composition

Water consists of three atoms: two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The way these three atoms chemically bond is in such a way that two of oxygen’s electrons are looking to bond with other elemental electrons. This unique property of water makes it the universal solvent by disrupting the attractive forces of other molecules, thus dissolving them (United States Geological Survey, 2012).

Importance of Water

Water is a necessity, not a luxury, for all life. If one were to use the human body for an example of water’s life-giving and life-sustaining properties, it is clear that without water, the body would die. Water regulates body temperature. If the body becomes hot, the body excretes water in the form of perspiration in an attempt to cool the body from overheating. The process of evaporation cools the body (Mayo Foundation, 2012).

Water makes up about 60-65% of the human body so its importance is quite significant. Almost 75% of the brain is made of water (water also helps cushion this vital organ as it sits in a shock-absorbing bath of the fluid). The lungs are composed of almost 90% water. It is interesting that only a few percentages of water added to the wrong areas of the lungs and drowning occurs (Mayo Foundation, 2012).

Water lubricates the body’s joints...