Paper One Case Studies - Freshwater

Question 1

Amazon Drainage Basin - Brazil

Answer 1

Worlds largest drainage basin.
Increased precipitation, dense vegetation equals high interception and transpiration.
Human impact:
Deforestation reduces interception, increases surface run off, therefore, alters water balance.

Question 2

River Thames - UK

Answer 2

Flood defences - Thames Barrier protects London, sustainable urban drainage systems, sewers.

Question 3

Bangladesh Floods

Answer 3

1998
Physical: monsoon rains, snow melting from Himalayans.
Humans: deforested slopes, high population density, poor infrastructure.
Impacts: 30 million displaced, 1000+ deaths.
Mitigation strategies: flood shelters, early warning systems, embankments.

Question 4

Aral Sea

Answer 4

Diverted for irrigation for cotton farming.
Sea shrunk by 90%, fishery collapsed, salinisation, dust storms.
Dam to restore sea, partially succeeded, only the north side was restored.

Question 5

California - Water Scarcity

Answer 5

Physical scarcity + use.
Drought 2012-2016.
Agriculture vs urban use.
Strategies: water recycling, desalination, crop switching, restrictions.

Question 6

River Nile

Answer 6

11 countries share basin.
Conflict between Egypt - downstream, historic rights, and Ethiopian - GERD dam.
Issues - colonial era treaties, growing demand, climate change impacts.

Question 7

Colorado River (USA-Mexico)

Answer 7

Salinisation and reduced supply.
2012 binational agreement improved flow to delta temporarily.

Question 8

Florida Everglades

Answer 8

Drained for farming and urban expansion.
Loss of biodiversity, water pollution - fertilisers.
Restoration plan: improve water flow, reduce pollution, restore habitats.
Ramsar convention.

Question 9

Himalayans Glaciers

Answer 9

Sources of major Asian rivers.
Melting = short-term flood risk, long-term water scarcity.
Impacts: hundreds of millions reliant on glacier - fed water.