Unit 6 Flashcards
Water table
The uppermost portion of an aquifer where the soil is fully saturated with water
Perched aquifer
Type of aquifer found above the water table very close to the surface
Unconfined aquifer
For this type of aquifer the water table is able to rise or fall depending on precipitation levels and rate of extraction
One way to reduce water usage in agriculture is to only irrigate when needed
Use soil monitors
Confined aquifer
An advantage of tapping this aquifers is that water is clean or less likely to be polluted
Distillation
One major advantage of using distillation is that it is inexpensive
Artesian well
When tapped this aquifer can produce an artesian well
One way to reduce water usage in agriculture is to improve irrigation practices
drip irrigation
Groundwater pollution from pesticides
One impact is poisoning wells making them unsafe for consumption
Increased precipitation
How would it impact the water table? It would go up
Ecologic effects of the Aral Sea water transfer project
Loss of aquatic species, loss of habitat and increased salinity
Groundwater/aquifer
Water stored underground between soil and rock particle
Climate change
Cause of water insecurity
Dams on rivers
An advantage is that they provide water for year round irrigation of cropland and drinking
Deforestation
Contributes to water insecurity by reducing natural water retention in soil and accelerating soil erosion
Hydroelectric power
An advantage of using dams on rivers to manage water insecurity is that they can produce cheap electricity
Urbanization
Often reduces groundwater recharge because impermeable surfaces limit water infiltration
Dams on rivers
A disadvantage is that downstream cropland and estuaries are deprived of nutrient rich silt
Mismanagement of irrigation
Can lead to water loss through evaporation
Inadequate sanitation systems
Primarily cause water insecurity because they contaminate water sources with sewage and wastewater
Dams on rivers
A disadvantage is that migration and spawning of some fish are disrupted
Gravity fed schemes
A disadvantage of using them to transfer water is that they are not applicable in plain or flat terrain
Economic effects of the Aral Sea water transfer project
Collapse of fishing industry, loss of jobs and increase in food prices
Confined aquifer
This type of aquifer is situated between two impermeable layers of rock or clay
Lateral recharge
How is a confined aquifer recharged? Lateral recharge
Rationing water
Prohibits or severely limits non essential uses like watering lawns or washing vehicles during periods of acute water shortage
Management strategy
Replacing water intensive crops with native crops is a management strategy used to reduce water usage in agriculture
Extracting water from aquifers
A disadvantage is that aquifers can get depleted if over pumped
Extracting water from aquifers
An advantage is that they are renewable resources if not over pumped
Over pumping aquifers
An effect is loss of ecosystem on surface
Bucket under the shower
Place a bucket under the shower and use that collected water to water plants
Human health effects of the Aral Sea water transfer project
Lakebed exposed to atmosphere causing pesticides residue to be picked up by wind and moved to surrounding towns
Advantage of using dams on rivers
Reservoir is useful for recreation and fishing
Disadvantage of using dams on rivers
Flooded land destroys forest or cropland and displaces people
Soil salinization
Occurs when irrigation water evaporates and leaves behind salt
Saltwater intrusion
Occurs when coastal aquifers become flooded with sea water
Frozen water found in mountainous areas
Ice caps
Differing access to safe drinking water
Often due to unequal development of infrastructure and sanitation systems
Population growth and water insecurity
Increasing demand for water in domestic and agricultural sectors
Rapid urbanization and water insecurity
Municipal water systems are frequently overwhelmed by sudden growth
Artesian well
When water flows free to surface (no energy is expanded)
Effect of mismanagement of irrigation
The pollution of surface and groundwater due to pesticides and fertilizers infiltrating
Distillation
Heating saltwater until all water evaporates
Drought events and water insecurity
Limiting the availability of water for agriculture and human use
Agricultural runoff
Containing fertilizers enters rivers and lakes, causing harmful algal blooms that deplete water quality
Impact of water insecurity on agriculture
Reduced crop yield and crop failure
Lack of sanitation
Causes water contamination and human health concerns
Reverse osmosis
Uses high pressure to force saltwater through membrane filter
Floodwaters and freshwater reserves
Can make freshwater reserves unsuitable for drinking by carrying contaminants (chemicals, sewage) into reservoirs
Flooding and water insecurity
By contaminating water with debris and sewage
Impact of deforestation on local water cycles
Arsenic contamination
River dams and estuaries
Reduce the salinity of estuaries
Perched aquifer
This type of aquifer is a source of natural springs
Soil salinization definition
Excess salt accumulates in the topsoil after water evaporates, harming crops
Link between water insecurity and food insecurity
Food shortages, food price increase, malnutrition and famine
Water use in industry
Cooling power plants equipment and fracturing rock to release oil
Impact of water insecurity
Illness caused by drinking contaminated water
Disadvantage of reverse osmosis
The initial investment cost is high
Rising sea level and water insecurity
By pushing saltwater into coastal aquifers (saltwater intrusion)
Water transportation strategy
Water is transported very long distances from its source through aqueducts or pipelines
Ice sheet
The mass of glacial land ice that covers the polar regions
Consequence of water insecurity on communities
Greater vulnerability to hunger and disease
