by reducing the total amount of water on Earth by altering the paths of the water through the Earth system by shifting water to different stages in the water cycle by affecting climate in a way that alters the water cycle
I gave my students this multiple choice question: Some water use is consumptive. Instead of returning to its source, the water evaporates from reservoirs or transpires from crops. How does this type of use most likely affect the hydrosphere?

Only one answer is correct among these 4 choices:
- by reducing the total amount of water on Earth
- by altering the paths of the water through the Earth system
- by shifting water to different stages in the water cycle
- by affecting climate in a way that alters the water cycle

Could you tell me which one is correct?

by shifting water to different stages in the water cycle