3.6 - Water Flashcards
Name 3 ways water can be collected:
-resevoirs/dams
-wells and bore holes
-desalination
Describe the method of collecting water in reservoirs:
-water is stored in reservoirs behind large dams
-much more efficient in countries with cooler climates (less water can evaporate)
-can also be used to generate electricity with HEP
How is water collected with wells?
-a borehole is dug into an aquifer, and water rises up the well due to the release of pressure
-safe from evaporation and pollution as they are underground
What is an aquifer? What are the conditions required to have one?
-a groundwater-bearing rock
-the rock must be permeable, and have an impermeable rock beneath it
What is desalination? How can it be used to produce potable water?
-the process of removing excess salt and other minerals from saline water (eg seawater) to obtain potable water
-desalination plants, which take seawater and desalinate it through either distillation or reverse osmosis
-not the best method as it produces an extremely salty brine concentrate that needs disposing of properly (can damage marine life)
-also very expensive
Describe the 3 uses of water:
-agricultural (eg irrigation)
-domestic (eg bathrooms, swimming pools)
-industrial (eg steel industries use a lot for manufacturing purposes)
Describe the differences in water usage between MEDCs and LEDCs:
-MEDCs use more water for domestic purposes
-LEDCs use more water for agricultural purposes
The USA is an exception as it uses a lot of water for farming
Why might agricultural water usage increase?
-higher demand for food
-area used for agriculture increases
-more irrigation
Why might agricultural water usage decrease?
-area used for agriculture decreases due to intensification
-more food imported, so less water used in country
-more efficient irrigation
Why might industrial water usage increase?
-industrialisation/secondary employment increases
-more water used for cooling/manufacturing
Why might domestic water usage increase?
-population growth
-higher living standards
-increased usage of showers/swimming pools etc
Why might there be a shortage of water in a particular area?
-low supply (eg lack of rain, drought)
-high demand (from increased population, urbanisation, and farming)
-physical water scarcity (water limited due to climate conditions)
-economic water scarcity (no infrastructure to store/utilise it)
What are the consequences of having a lack of access to clean water?
-illness due to water-borne diseases (cholera)
-can result in food insecurity as crops can’t be irrigated
-affects economic development as water isn’t available for industry
-children in rural areas can miss out on education because they have to collect water
