C
Below is a question with multiple-choice answers. Choose the correct option based on your reasoning.

### 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?

### Choices:
A. by reducing the total amount of water on Earth
B. by altering the paths of the water through the Earth system
C. by shifting water to different stages in the water cycle
D. by affecting climate in a way that alters the water cycle

### Answer:
