Today for science we were instructed to write a blog entry about 3 things. Firstly we are required to write about  observations of the second “common” sphere – the hydrosphere. Secondly we are required to write about observations of current local practices/alterations to the hydrosphere. The last thing that we were required to write about was observations of the student’s personal use and long-term effects of different day-to-day choices. 

The hydrosphere plays a very big part in the life's of the people in XiZhou. XiZhou is well known for lake Erhai which is one of the biggest lakes in China. Lake Erahi has aqueducts that stretch from the lake and from the mountain to the village. the water is then distributed all around the village. While on our hike we noticed many aqueducts the bring water from the springs down to the village. On the hike our first major stop was at a white house. This  white house was a house that is provided for a group of people that manage the run off from the mountains. 

The people of XiZhou use the hydrosphere for many things in their daily life. You can mostly find the water on the farmlands. XiZhou is very particular about farming. When learning the history of XiZhou you will learn that XiZhou at one point encountered a 100-200 year period of starvations. In order to not have to experience this again a lot of the water is used for farming their GM crops. The water is constantly flowing down the mountains to the village. In order make life easier there are currently water pipes being constructed in XiZhou.

The long term affect that we use water for is hydration. In order to stay hydrated we all drink plenty of water that we are receiving from the water filters. We are also using the water for food, bathroom uses and other things. Being in XiZhou has opened my eyes up to all of my surroundings and I am constantly finding new things that are related to science.