Module 4: "Agricultural and Environment: Cotton Environmental Impacts of Production: Water Use"

A consummate consumer of water
Some estimates indicate that it is the largest user of water among all agricultural commodities. Estimates indicate that cotton represents more than half of the irrigated agricultural land in the world.

Some estimates indicate that it is the largest user of water among all agricultural commodities. Estimates indicate that cotton represents more than half of the irrigated agricultural land in the world.

In many cotton-producing areas, surface waters are diverted to irrigate cotton.

Freshwater losses occur through evaporation, seepage, and inefficient water management.

The continuous cultivation of cotton in the Aral Sea basin of Uzbekistan has caused a tremendous decrease in the surface area of the sea—it has shrunk by almost half.

Once the world's fourth largest lake, the Aral Sea formerly harboured many fish; today there are few.

The main activities associated with cotton production that affect freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity include runoff from fields, drainage, pesticide application, water withdrawal for irrigation, extensive irrigation, dam construction, and land reclamation.

The main activities associated with cotton production that affect freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity include runoff from fields, drainage, pesticide application, water withdrawal for irrigation, extensive irrigation, dam construction, and land reclamation.

The main activities associated with cotton production that affect freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity include runoff from fields, drainage, pesticide application, water withdrawal for irrigation, extensive irrigation, dam construction, and land reclamation.

These activities result in a range of impacts from eutrophication and pollution to loss of soil and other biodiversity.

Groundwater depletion is another environmental problem associated with cotton cultivation.