3.1 - Mekong Flashcards
What percentage of the worlds aquifers are estimated to be over exploited?
20%
What has pesticide runoff caused in the Mekong River?
Algal blooms and water lyacinths
Seawater encroachment causes problems for what industry in Vietnam?
Agriculture - saltwater encroaches into rice paddies
Name at least 2 common types of pollution
- Untreated sewage
- Chemical fertilisers used in agriculture
- Industrial waste
How many people live on the Mekong Delta? What has this led to?
17 million people
The overextraction of groundwater and greater runoff levels
What are the 3 main reason for water extraction by humans?
- Domestic purposes
- Agriculture - mainly for irrigation
- Industrial use
Worldwide, how many people rely solely on groundwater for their daily water?
2.5 billion - 50% of these people extract water to survive, not for agricultural purposes
Which 2 factor influence the risk of saltwater incursion of groundwater?
- Global sea level rise
2. Localised extraction of groundwater
What does warmer temperatures encourage to happen in water sources?
Bacterial growth and other microorganisms which potentially can be harmful to human health
What could impact upon the quality of water?
- Sedimentation
- Nutrient enrichment
- Pathogens
- Dissolved organic carbon
- Pesticides and salts
Warmer climate can lead to more evapotranspiration which would do what to precipitation?
Less effective - less would be stored in the soil as it is evaporating faster
Mercury and arsenic are killing off which animal in the Mekong River?
The Mekong Dolphin - the mercury and arsenic is being released from Lanping Lead-Zinc Mine
Only 1 drainage basin has a higher biodiversity than the Mekong, which one?
The Amazon
Where is the source of the Mekong?
The Tibetan Plateau, 17,000ft, it is fed by snowmelt and helped by monsoon rain
Who controls the lower Mekong and which country refuses to join?
The Mekong River Comission, China refuses to be a part of it
