WEIRD WATER

Most people are aware that water can have different states, such as a liquid or as ice. And most people are also aware that liquid water ordinarily freezes into ice at 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).

Despite all the essential uses of water and extensive general knowledge of its properties, scientist still are researching and learning about more of its sometimes weird characteristics.

For example, it has been determined that "pure" water can remain in a liquid state well below the freezing point of 0 degrees Celsius. Scientists now have supercooled water to -46 degrees Celsius in the liquid state. According to a recent report, this is the lowest temperature recorded where water has remained a liquid.*

Some of water's odd properties, such as ability to absorb heat, change at low temperatures. Yet, supercooled liquid water looks like ordinary tap water, except it will freeze at supercooled temperatures when it touches a foreign surface, such as a dust particle. Some researchers have proposed that if water is cooled to -50 degrees Celsius, it may split into two liquid states.

Of course, while research into the unusual properties of water can be interesting, it does not help much those many parts of the world that suffer the unavailability of adequate supplies of clean fresh water essential for life.

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*See"Supercooled Water Hits Record Low",
Science News, July 12, 2014, p. 18

WHERE'S THE WATER?

We live on the surface of the earth's crust, and what we see is only on the surface. Thus, we know that about 71% of the earth's surface is covered with water, and about 97% of that water is saline water in the oceans. So, fresh water--that which we drink and use in our lives--comprises only about 3% of all the water on the earth's surface.

Between the earth's crust and its core is a thick layer called the mantle. Now, according to a recent report, scientists believe that the mantle contains a huge amount of water deep in the earth.* It is suggested that this water is about 440 to 660 kilometers below the surface, perhaps where the upper mantle transitions to the molten lower mantle. Some have suggested that the mantle may contain as much water as all of the surface oceans, or even more.

Some of the mantle water may date back to early earth history. Another source may arise when tectonic plates collide, allowing ocean-soaked crust to seep into the mantle.

What does all this mantle water mean for us surface dwellers? Our wells penetrate only the earth's crust, so mantle water may be a wishful source of supply. On the other hand, mantle water may have other impacts, such as causing tectonic plates to move or producing volcanoes.

One thing may be sure: still waters run deep.

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* "Water Permeates Earth's Interior", Science Newa,
(July 12, 2014, p. 9)

PANTS

The oldest known pants have been discovered in the Yanghai graveyard in the Tarim Basin of western China. * They were found with excavation of remains of two men. It is believed that the pants are about 3,000 years old and belonged to a nomadic horseman.

The pants appear to be quite stylish, with wool straight-fitting legs with woven decorations and "a wide crotch." It is suggested that nomadic herders in Asia invented such pants so that they could more comfortably ride horses. The wide crotch was not explained.

Apparently, prior to the pants invention, Asians and Europeans got by wearing gowns, robes, tunics, togas and loin cloths. While such apparel could be seen as uncomfortable for riding on a horse, it is to be noted that native Americans commonly wore loin cloths while on their horses. Before the recent discovery, the oldest trousers found in China were about 2600 years old, and were burgundy in color.

"Pants" does not always mean the same thing to everyone. In the United Kingdom, for example, "pants" commonly means underwear, whereas "trousers" are the outerwear most people commonly call "pants." So, if touring England, best not say "I like your pants."

Interestingly, there was a 1920 British film called "Trousers." The romantic story line is described: "A woman who dresses like a man falls in love." I will not disclose the ending in case you see the movie.

Along a similar line, in 1919 a woman became the first female in Puerto Rico to wear trousers in public. Sh was jailed, but later released after the pants charges were dropped. In 2013, A French law finally was revoked which required women to get permission from city authorities before dressing like a man, including wearing trousers, except if holding bicycle handlebars or reins of a horse.

How does all this relate to water? Well, at some point, whether 3,000 years ago or even today, trousers have to be cleaned. This likely would be particularly true in older times before the invention of underwear. Therefore, one wonders how often and how pants were washed.
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*See"Earliest Pants Worn Bt Horse Riders", Science News, June 28, 2014

SHOULD EPA REGULATE YOUR URINATION?

What's in your urine? Generally, human urine contains three macro-nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Typically, urine comprises only about one percent of residential wastewater streams, but it contains about eighty percent of the nitrogen, fifty-five percent of the phosphorus and sixty percent of the potassium, as well as other nutrients such as sulphur, calcium and magnesium.

According to a recent report, attention now is being focused on the harvesting of such nutrients by means of "urine diversion" ("UD"). * UD is the separation of human urine from the wastewater influent stream at the point of urination. Interest in UD appears to be growing because urine can be used for agricultural fertilization and because at least two of the nutrients--nitrogen and phosphorus--when discharged from wastewater effluent contribute to over-enrichment of waterbodies. In particular, such over-enrichment causes algae blooms which result in adverse impacts on aquatic life.

Residential UD systems will require installation of urine diverting toilets and separate piping to channel urine to a storage tank somewhere in the front or back yard. Generally, a UD toilet has a split personality design, with a partitioned bowl. The front section of the bowl receives urine, which along with a small amount of water is flushed to the urine storage tank. On the other side of the partition, the back half of the bowl collects feces and toilet paper, which is flushed to the regular wastewater sewer the old-fashioned way or can be sent down a chute to a different tank in the basement or yard for eventual composting. In public buildings, urinals would be connected to UD systems.

While residential UD systems may have benefits, one wonders how practical is the design of a UD toilet. Specifically, a user necessarily will need to have accurate aim to make sure deposits reach the correct compartment of the toilet bowl. Such aiming could cause issues for some users. In addition, some homeowners may not appreciate having a urine storage tank in their front yard. However, the UD tank could be disguised by yard decorations, such as a small windmill, a small pagoda or a plastic deer, and some perennials.

One wonders whether implementation of UD systems in a step forward or a step backward for humankind. Would it be simpler just to walk into the garden and urinate on the tomato plants or the zinnias? Or in an urban setting, would it be simpler to empty a chamber pot out the window on to the street, where the accumulated flow eventually would be flushed from the streets into appropriate destinations? Possibly, houses could have mobile urination outhouses, disguised as potting sheds, that could collect urine and discharge it to different parts of the yard to nourish grass and plants.

UD systems, and their installation and use, would seem to be a likely subject for regulation by EPA. Water saving toilets and other water appliances already are regulated in some fashion by the government. Perhaps government grants can be made available for retrofitting UD systems in neighborhoods. Best to be pro-active and start practicing your aim.

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*See Emerging Issues, Spring/Summer 2014