Water World Flashcards
What are two factors contributing to the rise in water shortages?
- Increased demand
* More unpredictable weather
What are three ways global warming impacts on precipitation?
- Warmer temperatures are likely to make more rain.
- Increased moisture in the air means more precipitation.
- There is a predicted rise in precipitation density - heavier storms.
What impact does global warming have on evaporation?
An increase in temperature means more evaporation. This would also affect groundwater storage, making droughts more likely.
What impact does global warming have on river flow?
A warmer climate means an earlier Spring. This would melt glacial reserves sooner meaning that river flow in Summer would be reduced.
What are three ways human activity limits the amount of water available?
- Overabstraction
- Building of reservoirs
- Deforestation
What is overabstraction?
When too much water is taken from a source.
What is an example of overabstraction?
The Thames Valley where overabstraction has lead to some tributaries drying up completely.
Give an example of a reservoir.
Lake Chad
What are reservoirs built for?
Water storage and Hydro-Electric Power.
What are three disadvantages of building reservoirs?
- Loss of land
- Drowning of crops
- Spread of disease
What two parts of the hydrological cycle does deforestation reduce?
- Evapotranspiration
* Interception
What is the effect of a drop in Evapotranspiration?
A drop in green water and therein a reduction in rainfall.
What is the effect of having less interception?
Rain can more easily wash away soil nutrients and finer soil particles leaving a coarser, harder surface.
How many people in the world don’t have a reliable water supply?
780 million
What are three impacts of not having a reliable water supply?
- Waterborne diseases like cholera kill a child every second.
- High risk of crop failure.
- Tasks like cooking become difficult.
According to the World Bank, how many people could face water shortages by 2025?
50%
Since what decade has the Sahel region had droughts?
1980s
What did the seasons used to be like in the Sahel region?
A mixture of wet and dry.
What has happened to the seasons recently in the Sahel region?
The wet seasons have consistently failed.
What are three ways that human activity has contributed to the desertification of the Sahel region?
- Overfarming
- Overcultivation
- Firewood collection
What are five effects of the changing climate on the Sahel region?
- Crop failure
- Soil erosion
- Famine
- Hunger
- People less able to work
What happened in Niger in 2004?
A plague of locusts consumed any surviving crops after a long dry season.
What kind of aid are the people of the Sahel getting? Is this sustainable?
They are eying food aid. It is helpful but unsustainable?
What kind of aid would benefit the Sahel more in the long term?
Development aid
What are four threats to water quality?
- Untreated sewage being pumped into rivers.
- Intensive agriculture chemicals bring swept into water.
- Chemicals leaking into water.
- Plastic bags clog up waterways.
What is the effect of untreated sewage being pumped into water bodies?
Increased chance of diseases like Cholera and Typhoid.
What is a solution to untreated sewage being pumped into water bodies?
Having the sewage treated before coming into contact with rivers.
What is the effect of agricultural chemicals washing into water?
Kills wildlife
What is the solution to agricultural chemicals getting washed into water bodies?
Farmers and landowners regulating their use of fertilisers and chemicals.
What effect do chemical leaks in water have?
The wildlife gets poisoned.
What is the solution to chemicals leaking into water?
Factories disposing of chemicals before returning any water back to its source. The Environment Agency fine those who don’t.
What effect do plastics bags have in waterways?
They clog them up
How can we prevent plastic bags getting into waterways?
Recycle
What is an example of a large scale solution to water shortages?
Dams
What are four costs of building dams?
- Loss of land
- Can reduce water quality
- Sediment builds up
- Clear water erosion - sediment isn’t replaced after erosion
What are four benefits of building dams?
- Habitat for water birds
- Scenic asset
- Hydroelectric Power
- Flood control
Where does the Nile begin?
Ethiopia
What are the seasons like in Ethiopia?
There are only went and dry seasons.
What effect do Ethiopia’s seasons have on the Nile?
It frequently floods or dries up depending on the season.
When was the Aswan Dam built?
1970
Why was the Aswan dam built?
To maintain a constant water supply for agriculture.
What lake was created by the Aswan Dam? How long is it?
Lake Nasser which is 560km long.
What are four benefits of the High Aswan Dam?
- It can produce hydroelectric power which helps with Ethiopia’s development.
- Provides irrigation water for farmers.
- Increase in crops and food
- No floods anymore
What are four problems with the High Aswan Dam?
- Diseases are still present in the water
- The river delta grows 20-30 metres a year
- The land is less fertile
- Fish can get harmed in the dam itself
What four qualities make a solution intermediate?
- Cheap
- Easy to build and maintain
- Safety
- Simple to use
What are three examples of intermediate technologies?
Wells, hand pumps and rain barrels.
Describe wells.
Wells are dug to reach groundwater supplies. They are lined with concrete and have a concrete lid to prevent pollution.
Describe hand pumps.
Hand pumps are installed to reach the groundwater reserve. They have a low chance of contaminating the water.
Describe rain barrels.
Rain barrels collect rainwater from gutters and store it in case of drought. This is also known as rainwater harvesting.
