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6 - Integration

The Role of Energy in the Anthropogenic Global Water Cycles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2022

Avner Vengosh
Affiliation:
Duke University, North Carolina
Erika Weinthal
Affiliation:
Duke University, North Carolina
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Summary

This chapter presents the anthropogenic global water cycle: the overuse of natural water resources has led to a water deficit that has been further exacerbated by global warming and increasing drought intensity induced by fossil fuel use, combined with large water use for fossil fuels, increased energy generation for water transfer and treatment, and consequently further water use and impact on depleting water resources. The chapter presents a new assessment of global water withdrawal and consumption and wastewater for the different stages of fossil fuel production and consumption, using the most updated information on water intensity and energy production. The chapter highlights the high magnitude of the impaired water intensity derived from water contamination on a global scale. The chapter explores the global emission of carbon dioxide, water vapor, and methane from fossil fuel operations, including natural gas flaring. The chapter evaluates the energy use for water transport, wastewater treatments, and desalination, emphasizing that future water quantity and quality deterioration would require additional treated water and thus additional energy sources that would further exacerbate the anthropogenic water cycle. Finally, the chapter discusses the options for a clean future and transition to renewable energy sources with much lower water intensity and environmental impacts.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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  • Integration
  • Avner Vengosh, Duke University, North Carolina, Erika Weinthal, Duke University, North Carolina
  • Book: Water Quality Impacts of the Energy-Water Nexus
  • Online publication: 03 February 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781107448063.006
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To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

  • Integration
  • Avner Vengosh, Duke University, North Carolina, Erika Weinthal, Duke University, North Carolina
  • Book: Water Quality Impacts of the Energy-Water Nexus
  • Online publication: 03 February 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781107448063.006
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Integration
  • Avner Vengosh, Duke University, North Carolina, Erika Weinthal, Duke University, North Carolina
  • Book: Water Quality Impacts of the Energy-Water Nexus
  • Online publication: 03 February 2022
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781107448063.006
Available formats
×