Unit 2C- Water Flashcards
What can water deficit cause?
Water insecurity- not having enough clean water for everyone.
What can water surplus cause?
Water security- having enough water to meet everyone’s needs.
What are two main reasons that are causing the global demand for water to rise?
Rising population and economic development
What are six factors that affect water availability?
Climates
Geology- impermeable + permeable rock
Over obstruction
Polluted water sources
Limited infrastructure
Poverty
What are four impacts of water insecurity?
Pollution and disease, e.g. cholera
Reduced food production
Reduced industrial output
Conflict
What are four ways in which water supplies can be increased?
Dams and reservoirs
Water diversion
Water transfer
Desalination
What is water scarcity?
The overall lack of sufficient water supplies or not having enough clean and safe drinking water.
What do Dams and reservoirs do?
Collects and stores rainwater and then releases it gradually during drier periods.
What are two advantage of dams and reservoirs?
Can be used for irrigation
It helps prevent flooding
What are two disadvantages of dams and reservoirs?
Expensive to construct and maintain
Water can be lost due to evaporation
What do water transfers do?
Redistribute water from areas of water surplus to areas of water deficit.
What are two disadvantages of water transfers?
Expensive
Time consuming
What does desalination do?
Removes salt from seawater to produce fresh water.
What are two disadvantages of desalination plants?
Environmental impacts on ecosystems when salt waste is dumped back into the sea.
Vast amount of energy required, adding to carbon emissions.
What does water diversion do?
Water supplies can be artificially diverted and stored for use over longer periods in deep reservoirs or in permeable rocks underground( aquifers).
