Water Sources

Question 1

What are some sources of freshwater

Answer 1

Glaciers
Icebergs
Groundwater
Rivers
Springs
Rainwater

Question 2

How can humans keep up with demands for water

Answer 2

Desalination plants
Aquifers
Dams
Rainwater tanks

Question 3

Pros and cons of aquifers

Answer 3

Pros
Protected from drought conditions
Refills itself from rainwater
Usually very clean as no bacteria lived in there and is filtered by soils

Cons
Vulnerable to human pollutants eg chemicals from mining cites and landfill or surge
Can be overexploited resulting in the deposit drying up permanently, damaging connected streams or rivers, or salt water intrusions can emerge

Question 4

What soil conditions favour aquifers?

Answer 4

High porosity (size between soil grains)
High permeability (how well spaces between grains connect)

Question 5

Pros of desalination plants

Answer 5

Pros
Abundance of salt water from oceans means reliable supply of freshwater
Reduces pressure on groundwater suplies
Seasonal flexibility (available all year round)

Question 6

Cons of desalination plants

Answer 6

Cons
High energy consumption and often use fossil fuels that pollute the atmosphere (increases carbon emissions)
Water quality concerns due to chemicals used in the process of removing salt
Produces toxic waste and chemicals
Increases salinity of water in the area affecting marine ecosystems