Environmental Change & Rivers Flashcards
Environmental Change -Changes to the land -Changes to the atmosphere-Changes to water
Land: Increase in population, more houses, cities, farms and towns has changed soil, plants and forests. Less than 1/4 of the worlds original forests remain intact today. Overuse of fertile soil has led to erosion and increased salt in many regions
Atmosphere: Burning of fossil fuels cause emission of greenhouse gases, which trap heat from the sun and cause a rise in the earth’s temperature= global warming, air pollution, Ocean Acidification, less trees means less absorption of C02, affects balance of gases in the atmosphere.unusable for humans and animals.
Water: people have polluted water leaving it unusable to humans and animals.
Outline how damming rivers can lead to water degradation
2/3 of the worlds 292 large river systems have been changed by dams. Dams disrupt the flow of water, flooding some areas and less in others. Damming disrupts ecosystem services, provision of fresh water, fertile soil and food production.
Water pollution (stile lesson 12.4)-Physical pollutants-Chemical pollutants-Biological pollutants
Physical: particles of soil, litter, plastic bags, cigarette butts, shopping trolleys and tyres.
Chemical: heavy metals, oils, industrial chemicals and salt. also too much naturally occurring plant nutrients can change the chemical balance of water.
Biological: bacteria, parasites, invasive plants and animals. Giardia is a bacteria is caused by human and animal watse entering water ways.
Outline the uses of Rivers around the world
Provide water for drinking, sanitation, agriculture, transport, electricity generation, recreation, mining, bathing and washing. Habitat for flora and fauna which provide food sources.
Barriers to safe drinking water in developing countries.
Pollution, Poor sanitation (no toilets or sewage systems means water is contaminated), limited resources - can’t afford to build clean water systems, natural disasters - floods, droughts, hurricanes can alter water systems, population growth - not enough clean water for the amount of people, political issues such as war corruption can lead to poor water management leaving people without water.
Government responses to water pollution and flooding.
Eg Maribyrnong River flood - installing taps and fire hydrants to provide clean drinking water and to help clean up works. Council collected hard rubbish and waste materials that people had thrown onto their nature strips, Community Centre assisted residents with care packages, toiletries, and provided a free mobile laundry. Provided food trucks to give food to affected residents and volunteers along with financial support and property assessments.
