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The Water Cycle - Geography > Key Notes > Flashcards

Key Notes Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the global water cycles stores

A

Oceans = 97%
Freshwater = 2.5% (69% glaciers, ice sheet/caps and 30% groundwater)
Other surface and freshwater = 1% (permafrost, lakes, swamps, marshes, rivers and loving organisms)

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2
Q

Hydrology in polar regions

A

-85% of solar radiation is reflected
-permafrost creates impermeable surfaces
-lakes and rivers freeze
-rapid runoff in spring
-seasonal release of biogenic gases into atmosphere
-orographic and frontal precipitation

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3
Q

Hydrology in tropical rainforests

A

-dense vegetation consuming 75% of precipitation
-limited infiltration
-deforestation leads to less evapotranspiration and precipitation
-very high temperatures
-very humid
-convectional rainfall

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4
Q

Residence times of stores

A

Ocean = 3600 years
Icecaps = 15000 years
Groundwater = 10000 years
Rivers and lakes = 2 weeks to 10 years
Soil moisture = 2-50 weeks
Atmospheric moisture = 10 days

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5
Q

% of total water in stores

A

Oceans = 96.9%
Icecaps = 1.9%
Groundwater = 1.1%
Rivers and lakes = 0.01%
Soil moisture = 0.01%
Atmospheric moisture = 0.001%

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6
Q

% of total freshwater in stores

A

Oceans = 0%
Icecaps = 68.7%
Groundwater = 30.1%
Rivers and lakes = 1.2%
Soil moisture = 0.05%
Atmospheric moisture = 0.04%

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7
Q

Hadley cell (northern hemisphere)

A

Air rises at the equator, travels upwards, then sinks as it meets the cooler air of the ferrel cell. At this meeting point, precipitation tends to occur. The air then travels southwards, heating up as it does. It will then have heated sufficiently to rise up at the equator, commencing the cycle again

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8
Q

Polar cell (northern hemisphere)

A

Cold air sinks near the arctic circle, cooling and condensing to form precipitation over northern latitudes. The air then travels southwards, heating until it meets warm air from the ferrel cell. The air then rises, causing dry conditions for the land beneath, and then travels northwards, cooling as it does

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9
Q

Ferrel cell (northern hemisphere)

A

The middle cell of the ITCZ. The air circulation is determined by the Hadley and polar cells either side.

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10
Q

What’s a drainage basin

A

An area of land drained by a river and its tributaries with a boundary (know as the watershed), usually composing of hills and mountains

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11
Q

What is the water cycle on a local vs global scale

A

Local = open system
Global = closed system

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12
Q

How is precipitation formed

A

Caused by the cooling and condensation of water moisture in the atmosphere, firming clouds that release moisture in the form of rain, snow, hail, sleet, etc.

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13
Q

How does seasonality affect the volume or condition of precipitation

A

In some climates (such as monsoon and Mediterranean) there are strong seasonal patterns of rainfall. Therefore the time of year determines the precipitation input within the drainage basin

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14
Q

How does variability affect the volume or condition of precipitation

A

Sudden of long term changes to the climate can happen, which would affect precipitation levels and so the drainage basin as a whole
- secular variability - long term
-periodic variability - annual, seasonal or monthly context
-stochastic variability - random factors like localisation of thunderstorms

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15
Q

How does latitude affect the volume or condition of precipitation

A

The location of the drainage basin has a major impact on climate, and so the volume and type of precipitation. In most cases the higher the latitude from the equator, the colder the climate, and so snowfall occurs more often than rainfall. Also, at latitudes where air cells converge (ITCZ), the climate will be categorised by the rise or fall of air

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16
Q

What is Convectional rainfall

A

Often a daily occurrence. The morning heat warms the ground, which in turn heats low-level moisture (from plant dew or surface stores). This moisture evaporates and rises. As the air rises, it cools and the moisture within it will condense, to form rain and in turn ( as more moisture accumulates) rainfall. In tropical climates, convectional rainfall is the most common; within tropical rainforests, rainfall occurs mid-morning before the temperature rises too high for condensation to occur

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17
Q

What is frontal/cyclonic rainfall

A

Where two air masses meet, a wedge can occur of hot air within cold air - this is called a depression. At the front (where the two air masses meet), warm moist air is forced to rise above the cold air mass, causing the moisture within to cool and condense, to form cyclonic precipitation. Depressions are very common to the uk - approx 100 depressions hit the uk each year

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18
Q

What is relief/orographic rainfall

A

When warm, moist air (often travelling onto land from sea) meets land of high relief, the air mass is forced to rise above the hill to continue travelling. As it rises, the air mass cools and the moisture within condenses, to form clouds and rainfall. Orographic rainfall depends on the relief and location of the land immediate after the sea - many coastal landscapes are too cold, low lying or hills are set too far inland for relief rainfall to occur

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19
Q

What is interception

A

The direct intervention of plants leaves in changing the direction or temporarily stopping precipitation as it falls to the surface. Any moisture retained by the surface of the leaf (interception store) is generally greatest at the start of the storms. A plants interception capacity varies depending on the type of vegetation

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20
Q

Infiltration

A

The movement water from the surface into the soil. The infiltration capacity is the maximum rate a which water can be absorbed by the soil, and can be affected by (soil composition, previous precipitation, type and amount of vegetation, relief of land, compaction of soil)

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21
Q

What does soil composition have to do with infiltration

A

Sandy soils have higher infiltration rates compared to clay

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22
Q

What does previous precipitation have to do with infiltration

A

The saturated soils will reduce infiltration rates, hence surface runoff increases after long, intense periods of rainfall.

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23
Q

How does Type and amount of vegetation impact infiltration

A

Dense root growth can inhibit the infiltration of water, and interception of plants leaves will delay infiltration (never stopped, as water will never permanently remain on the leaf)

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24
Q

How does relief of land impact infiltration

A

Sloped land will encourage more runoff, therefore less infiltration as a direct result

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25
Q

Surface runoff

A

Water flows overland, rather than permeating deeper levels of the ground. Overland flow occurs faster where the gradient of the land is greater. The surface runoff is the primary transfer of water to river channels, hence heavily influencing their discharge - moderate/fast

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26
Q

Throughflow

A

Water moves through the soil and into streams or rivers. Speed of flow is dependant on the type of soil. Clay soils with a high field capacity and smaller pore spaces have a slower flow rate. Sandy soils drain quickly because they have a lower field capacity, larger pore spaces and natural channels from animals such as worms. Some sports fields have sandy soils, to reduce the chance of waterlogged pitches, but this may also increase the flood risk elsewhere - moderate/fast

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27
Q

Percolation

A

Water moves from the ground or soil into porous rock or rock fractures (deeper bedrock and aquifers) the percolation rate is dependant on the fractures that may be present in the rock and the permeability of the rock - slow

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28
Q

Groundwater flow

A

The gradual transfer of water through porous rock, under the influence of gravity. Water can sometimes become trapped within these deeper layers of bedrock, creating aquifers and long water stores for the drainage basin - slow

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29
Q

Evaporation

A

Direct loss of water moisture from the surface of a body of water, the soil and interception storage (on top of the leaves) to the atmosphere. Evaporation rates increase when the weather is warmer, windier and drier.

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30
Q

How does volume and surface area of the water body affect evaporation rates

A

The larger the surface area, the faster the rate of evaporation

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31
Q

How does vegetation cover or built environment surrounding the water influence evaporation rates

A

Anything that reduces direct sunlight to the water body will reduce evaporation

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32
Q

How does the colour of the surface beneath the water influence evaporation rates

A

Black tarmac will absorb heat faster than white snow, and so evaporation will occur faster in the tarmac

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33
Q

Transpiration

A

A biological process where water is lost to the atmosphere through the pores of plants (stomata). Transpiration rates are affected by seasonality, the type of vegetation, moisture content of the air and the time of day (morning dew is the release of moisture through transpiration in the temperature climates)

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34
Q

Soil water stores

A

Water stored in the soil which is utilised by plants - mid term

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35
Q

Ground water stores

A

Water that is stored in the pore spaces of rock - long temr

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36
Q

River channel stores

A

Water that is stored in a river - short temr

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37
Q

Interception stores

A

Water intercepted by plants on their branches and leaves before reaching the ground - short term

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38
Q

Surface storage

A

Water stored in puddles, ponds, lakes - variable

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39
Q

The water table

A

The upper level at which the pore spaces and fractures in the ground become saturated. It is used by researchers to assess drought conditions, health of wetland systems, success of forest restorations programmes etc

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40
Q

How does climate influence the drainage basin

A

Physical
Influences the amount of rainfall and vegetation growth

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41
Q

How does soil composition influence a drainage basin

A

Physical
Influences the rate of infiltrations and throughflow

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42
Q

How does geology influence a drainage basin

A

Physical
Affects percolation and groundwater flow

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43
Q

How does relief affect a drainage basin

A

Physical
Steeper gradients of land will encourage faster rates of surface runoff

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44
Q

How does vegetation affect a drainage basin

A

Physical
Affects interception, overland flow

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45
Q

How does size affect a drainage basin

A

Physical
Larger basins collect more precipitation generally

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46
Q

How does cloud seeding affect a drainage basin

A

Human
Substances dispersed into the air to provide something for condensation to occur in
E.g. was used in china right before 2008 Beijing games to try and reduce pollution levels

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47
Q

How does deforestation affect a drainage basin

A

Human
Less vegetation means less interception, less infiltration, more overland flow leading to moor flooding, cycle speeds up

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48
Q

How does afforestation affect a drainage basin

A

Human
More vegetation means interception, less overland flow, more evapotranspiration

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49
Q

How does dam construction affect a drainage basin

A

Human
Dams reduce downstream river flow and discharge, increase surface stores si mor evaporation
E.g. lake nasser behind Aswan dam in Egypt — 10-16 billion m3 water loss from Nile

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50
Q

How does change in land use affect a drainage basin

A

Human
Infiltration if 5x faster under forests compared to grasslands, converting land to farmland means less interception, increases soil compaction and more surface runoff

51
Q

How does ground water abstraction affect a drainage basin

A

Human
When water is taken out faster than it is recharges, groundwater flow decreases and the water table drops
E.g. in china, groundwater irrigates 40% farmland whilst 79% of drinking water comes form groundwater

52
Q

How does irrigation affect a drainage basin

A

Human
Drop in water table due to high water usage
E.g. Aral Sea in kazakhstan shrank in the 1960 due to farmers using the water to grow cotton

53
Q

How does urbanisation affect a drainage basin

A

Human
Impermeable surfaces reduce infiltration, increase surface runoff, river discharge increase. Cycle speeds up

54
Q

The water budget

A

Water availability varies between different days and month. Over long periods of time (annual) surpluses and deficits can cancel out

55
Q

Precipitation equation

A

Precipitation = discharge + evaporation +- changes in stores

56
Q

River regime

A

Annual variation in discharge of a river at a particular location. Most of this river flow isn’t from immediate precipitation, but is supplied from groundwater between periods of rain, which slowly feeds water into the river system

57
Q

Seasonal variation in a river regime

A

Periods of high discharge followed by low discharge which are due to glacial meltwater, snowmelt or monsoons which cause sudden fluctuations in river input. Complex regimes tend to occur for larger rivers, that cross different reliefs and climatic zones

58
Q

Factors affecting the characteristics of a river regime

A
  • channel capacity of the river
  • area and relief of the drainage basin
  • volume ,pattern and intensity of precipitation
  • climate
  • geology of soil
  • anthropogenic (human) activities, e.g. dams
59
Q

Storm hydrographs

A

Represent the variation in discharge within a short period of time (days). Before a storm begins, the main supply of water to the river is through groundwater or base flow. However, as a storm develops, infiltration and surface runoff will increase which causes a greater Throughflow

60
Q

Rising limb

A

The increase if river discharge, not necessarily instantaneously after precipitation

61
Q

Peak flow

A

The maximum discharge , delayed after maximum precipitation has occured

62
Q

Lag time

A

The time delay between peak rainfall and peak discharge

63
Q

Falling limb

A

As the storm precipitation levels decrease, discharge will in turn decrease over time

64
Q

Base flow

A

Eventually the discharge returns to its normal level

65
Q

How does weather and climate affect a flashy storm hydrography

A
  • Intense storms which exceeds infiltration capacity of soil
  • rapid snow melt as temperatures rise above 0c suddenly
    -Low evaporation rates due to low temeoratures
66
Q

How does weather and climate affect a subdued storm hydrography

A
  • Stead rainfall which is less than the infiltration capacity of the soil
  • Snow melt as temperatures rise very slowly
  • High evaporation rates due to high temperatures
67
Q

Flashy storm hydrograph

A
  • short lag time
  • high peak
  • steep rising limb
68
Q

Subdued storm hydrograph

A
  • long lag time
  • low peak
  • gently sloping rising limb
69
Q

How does rock type affect a flashy hydrograph

A

Impermeable rocks like granite which encourage rapid surface runoff

70
Q

How does rock type affect a subdued hydrograph

A

Permeable rocks like limestone which allow for infiltration and reduce runoff

71
Q

How does soil influence flashy hydrographs

A

Low infiltration rate

72
Q

How does soil influence subdued hydrographs

A

High infiltration rates

73
Q

How does relief affect flashy hydrographs

A

High and steep slopes - more runoff

74
Q

How does relief affect subdued hydrographs

A

Low and gentle slopes - less runoff

75
Q

How does basin size affect flashy hydrographs

A

Usually small basin

76
Q

How does basin size influence subdued hydrographs

A

Usually large basin

77
Q

How does vegetation influence flashy hydrographs

A

Low density vegetation, less interception and more rapid movement of water

78
Q

How does vegetation affect subdued hydrographs

A

High density vegetation, more interception, more evapotranspiration

79
Q

How do pre existing conditions affect flashy hydrographs

A

-Basin already wet from previous rainfall
-high water table
-soil saturated,less infiltration

80
Q

How do pre existing conditions affect subdued hydrographs

A

-basin dry
-low water table
- soil unsaturated, more infiltration

81
Q

How does human activity affect flashy hydrographs

A

Urbanisation, deforestation, channelisation, dams

82
Q

How does human activity affect subdued hydrographs

A

Afforestation

83
Q

What methods are there to reduce runoff form precipitation

A

-growing vegetation on roofs to increase interception and temporarily stores some water within plants
- create permeable pavements (gaps within paving blocks) to increase infiltration and reduce surface runoff
- rainwater harvesting - collecting rainwater to use as domestic grey water
- creating wetland (areas with marsh and wetland vegetation) that will act as a natural sponge and increase temporary water storage

84
Q

Human impacts on a drainage basin

A
  • deforestation, tree felling, slash and burn - soil becomes exposed and roots are lost (bind the soil together), which leads to more soil erosion and so more surface runoff
  • impermeable surfaces - as more tarmac and concrete us laid, les infiltration into the topsoil can occur, and so more surface runoff occurs
  • bridges can act as dams for rivers, restricting channel flow and increasing the pressure the rivers water is under, therefore worsening flood impact
  • drainage and sewage systems will reduce lag time, and so a quick flow of water back to rivers, increasing the risk of flash flooding
85
Q

Meteorological drought

A

Rainfall deficit
- low precipitation, high temperatures, strong winds, increased solar radiation, reduced snow cover

Impacts
- loss of soil moisture, irrigation supply drops, reduction in water available for consumption

86
Q

Hydrological drought

A

Stream flow deficit
- reduced infiltration, low soil moisture, little percolation and groundwater recharge

Impacts
- reduced storage in lakes and reservoirs, less water for urban supply, poorer water quality, threats to wetland and habitats

87
Q

Agricultural drought

A

Soil moisture deficit
- low evapotranspiration, reduced biomass, fall in groundwater level

Impacts
- poor yields from rain fed crops, falling irrigation systems, livestock productivity falls, rural industries affects, government aid may be required

88
Q

Socio-economic drought

A

Food deficit
- loss of vegetation, increased risk of wildfires, soil erosion, desertification

Impacts
- widespread failure of agricultural systems, food shortages, rural economy collapses, rural to urban migration, international aid required humanitarian crisis

89
Q

El Niño

A
  • normally cool water along Peru and water water near Australia
  • ENSO causes this to switch every 3-7 years lasting for 18 months
  • Peru can determine this based on anchovy harvest - anchovy’s prefer cold waters so migrate away causing a reduction in anchovy harvests in Peru
  • ENSO can trigger extremely dry conditions in areas south and south east Asia, eastern Australia and north east Brazil. In South Asia ENSO can weaken the annual monsoon
90
Q

Wetlands

A

Act as temporary water stores within the hydrological cycle, which can help mitigate from river floods due to sudden storm discharge. Chemically, wetlands act as giant water filters by trapping and recycling nutrients and pollutants, which helps to maintain water quality of the river. Wetlands have very high biological productivity and support a very diverse food web, providing nursery areas for fish and refuges for migrating birds. All these functions contribute towards their natural importance and well as value for human society (e.g. providing dish for food or a clean water supply)

91
Q

Values of wetlands

A

Supporting life
- stores and flows of carbon (through vegetation and soils/peat), nutrient recycling
Provision of resources
- fuel wood, fisheries, mammals and birds for tourism
Regulation conditions
- regular supplier of groundwater and so base flow of river, water purification, reduced flood risk
Cultural value
- aesthetic value, recreational use, cultural heritage

92
Q

Meteorological droughts impact if wetlands

A

Reduced interceptions due to less precipitation will cause vegetation to wilt and die, which in turn impacts soil nutrients levels and the rest if the complex food web

93
Q

Physical causes of desertification

A

-reduced precipitation- as vegetation dies, the protective layer it provided for the soil will also be removed, as a result the soil will be increasingly exposed to wind and rain which will accelerate the rate if soil erosion, leading to worsening soil conditions thin may cause a positive feedback loop of worsening soil condition and vegetation death,leading to desertification
- global warming - the rise in average climatic temperatures will increase the rate of evaporation of water moisture, especially in tropical and sub Saharan climates. If more moisture has evaporated, less will be available for convectional rainfall and so plant growth will be stunted and vegetation dies

94
Q

Human causes of desertification

A

Population growth is the root cause of the recent increase in desertification. As populations increase, the demand for food, water and other resources also increases. As pressure for food increases, agricultural methods change to supply the demand. For example, cattle farming is becoming intensified resulting in large areas of forests being cut down to provide enough land for grazing. Intensification of crop farming means the fallow time between crop harvest and new planting will be reduced. These farming practices can cause over cultivation, trampling of vegetation and loss of soil nutrients which reduces soil fertility. In addition, forests may be felled or slashed and burned to make room for new farms of housing, further worsening soil quality and exposing the topsoil to erosion. Over time desertification will escalate in a positive feedback loop

95
Q

Causes for surpluses in the hydrological cycle

A
  • low lying land, the base of a river valley and estuaries - river flooding can occur along with groundwater flooding as the ground becomes saturated, therefore any surface close to the water table is vulnerable to flooding
  • urbanised, built environments - impermeable surfaces increase surface runoff, reduce lag time and so increasing the risk of flash flooding
  • small basin especially in semi arid and arid regions - these regions suffer from flash flooding due to very short lag times, which can be hazardous
96
Q

Mitigation and adaptation to flood risk

A
  • afforestation of upland areas- increasing vegetation cover will reduce rapid surface runoff
  • restricting construction on flood plains- reducing potential economic and social loss for residents living in flood plain. Also, by reducing urbanisation there will be maximised levels of interception
  • establishing temporary extra flood plain, in the event of extreme weather - some UK councils have designated football pitches or parks next to rivers, to channel some of the storm discharge and reduce the flood risk for towns living close to the flood banks
97
Q

What causes anthropogenic global warming

A

Increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Could lead to several impacts directly affecting the hydrological cycle

98
Q

What happens if land and sea level temperatures continue to rise

A

The period between ENSO cycles (2-3 years) could decrease. This would lead to more periodic and unusual climates for both South America and Australia

99
Q

What would happen if the average global temperature increases

A

Increase rates of evaporation, which could lead to potential droughts and increasing water insecurity. However in some areas, a rise in average temperatures will lead to more convectional rainfall and enhanced tropical cyclone or depression intensity. This in turn will cause more intense and periodic flooding

100
Q

Effects of climate change on the hydrological cycle

A
  • less precipitation
  • less water available in stores
  • reduced size of snow and glacier mass
  • water table drops and aquifer stores deplete
  • high rates of evaporation
  • more frequent cyclones and monsoons
101
Q

Distribution of water data

A

66% of the worlds population live in areas which only have access to 25% of the worlds annual rainfall. Conflict can further limit accessibility to water sources

102
Q

Why has demand for water risen

A
  • Population growth - generally more people = more water needed
  • Growing middle class population as countries develop and industrialise, therefore increasing lifestyle and domestic demand
  • economic growth means industrial demands may also increase
103
Q

Why can supply not always meet the demand for water

A
  • aquifers and deep water wells are being dug, especially for water intensive agriculture
  • water tables are being dropped as a result
  • water is being extracted at a faster rate than the soil is able to recharge
104
Q

Causes of water insecurity

A
  • precipitation = varies across different climates: mid latitude areas generally receive the most rainfall
  • topography = areas with high relief generally get more precipitation and surface runoff is greater for more inclined places, so channel flow tends to be larger and so water can be easily stored by dams and reservoirs
  • geology = permeable rocks can be infiltrated and water can easily be stored underground
105
Q

What factors reduce freshwater supply

A
  • humans = reduce supply through pollution. Industrial activity (especially in developing countries with slack environmental laws) and population pressure (lack of treatment of sewage, the “plastic tide”) are reducing accessibility to clean freshwater
  • saltwater encroachment = due to over-extraction and rising sea levels (climate change) is further reducing freshwater stores, hence increasing water insecurity
106
Q

Consequences of water insecurity

A

As a result of a limited supply, the price of clean water has increases in certain regions, and may increase globally in the future
Water is very important in economic productivity, crop yield and manufacturing capacity. Agricultural consumes around 67% of all water extractions and industrial water and consumption is on the rise especially in developing and industrialising countries. Fields and grazing lands are dependent of rainwater and aquaculture (fish farming) has been on the rise as wild fish supplies have diminished. Over 20% of all extracted water is used in industries and for energy production

107
Q

Solutions for water insecurity soft

A
  • many farmers focus in storing rainwater, to use for irrigation and grey water purposes
  • there has been and increase in HEP and the generation of energy without the consumption of freshwater
108
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of Mega dams

A

Advantages
- can provide a large volume of water
- can generate HEP
- reduced demand for groundwater

Disadvantages
- floods land
- expensive
- Countries/areas downstream suffer from lack of water
- water is stored on surface so gets evaporated quickly

109
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of desalination plants

A

Advantages
- can provide a large volume of clean water
- reduces demand for groundwater

Disadvantages
- energy intensive
- releases lots of CO2
- expensive
- produces salt waste
- expensive to build and maintain

110
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of water transfer schemes

A

Advantages
- can provide water for areas that lack water and arid areas
- water can become a valuable resource for countries otherwise poor and undeveloped

Disadvantages
- can dry up source areas
- expensive
- lots of water evaporated
- people relocate to construct

111
Q

What is the water poverty index

A

WPI - used to measure localised water stress, for the use of national governments to improve provisions

112
Q

What 5 components does the water poverty index focus on

A
  • water resources - the availability and quality of water
  • access to water - the distance from safe water for drinking, cooking, cleaning and industries
  • handling capacity - management, infrastructure and income
  • use of water - for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes
  • environmental indicators - ability to sustain nature and ecosystems
113
Q

How does the WPI score

A

Each component is scored out of 20, giving a total score between 0 and app (100=no water stress, 0=water stress)
Highest scoring country is Finland (78) and the lowest is Haiti (35)

114
Q

Sustainable water management

A
  • sprinklers are automated by spray technology or advances irrigation systems which are more efficient
  • recycling city wastewater is a cheap method of conserving freshwater supplies, especially in areas of high demand. ‘Grey water’ doesn’t need to be cleaned as much to meet drinking standards so is less energy intensive
  • GM crops are being developed, many are tolerant of dry and saline conditions
  • domestic conservation includes: installing smart metres, charging more for water during times when there is a lack of supply, using eco kettles, taking a Shawnee instead of bath
  • restoration of damaged lakes, rivers and wetlands to increase natural water storage
  • restoring meanders and replanting vegetation
115
Q

What is integrated water resource management (IWRM)

A

Emphasises the river basin as the geographical unit for strategic planning. The basin is treated holistically to protect environment and ensure fair distribution:
- freedom from corruption
- environmental protection of all supplies and ecosystems
- food and water security for poorer people
- effective dialogue between people
- decentralised approach
- cash recovery of schemes through effective pricing
- effective regulation and planning use

116
Q

Groundwater management

A
  • aquifer storage and reuse
  • groundwater quality and quantity modelling
117
Q

Waterway management

A
  • river rehabilitation
  • sustainable water allocation
  • environmental flows
118
Q

Integrated urban water management

A
  • water treatment technology
  • water sensitive urban design
  • water harvesting and reuse
119
Q

Monitoring technology

A
  • sensor technologies
  • real time wireless monitoring and controlling
120
Q

Helsinki rules

A

International treaties must contain concepts like equitable use and shares the criteria could be based on:
- natural factors - rainfall amounts, discharge, share of drainage basin
- social and economic needs - population size, welfare of peoples, development plans
- downstream impact - restructuring flow, water tables, pollution
- dependency - availability of alternative sources
- prior use - the tricky question of existing historic rights and potential future use
- efficiency - avoiding waste and mismanagement

121
Q

UNECE water convention

A

Promoted joint management and conservation of shared freshwater ecosystems in Europe and neighbouring areas

122
Q

UN water courses convention

A

Offers guidelines on the protection and use of trans boundary rivers

123
Q

What does wwf say about most water agreements

A

Lack appropriate enforcement and monitoring

124
Q

Why are th eked players in water management

A
  • UN - UNECE (united commission for Europe water convention) aims to protect and ensure the quality and sustainable use of trans boundary water resources
  • EU - water framework directive agreed in Berlin 2000 - targets to restore river, lakes, canals, coastal waters to suitable condition
  • national governments - e.g. the UK environment agency which checks compliance with EU frameworks

The Water Cycle - Geography (3 decks)

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