Section C Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is water security?
Access to sufficient, safe, and affordable water for health, livelihoods, and production.
Name two physical factors affecting water security.
Climate (rainfall variability) and geology (rock permeability).
Name two human factors affecting water security.
Pollution (industrial/agricultural) and infrastructure (aging pipes, treatment capacity).
What are the impacts of water insecurity?
Food shortages, industrial decline, disease spread, and potential conflict.
What is the pattern of water stress in the UK?
Surplus in the north and west; deficit in the south and east.
What is the purpose of dams and reservoirs?
To store water, control river flow, and supply water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use.
What is a water transfer scheme? Give an example.
Moving water from areas of surplus to deficit; e.g., China’s South–North Water Transfer Project.
What is desalination?
Removing salt and minerals from seawater to produce fresh water.
What is groundwater management?
Regulating extraction and recharge of aquifers to maintain sustainable water tables.
Give one water conservation method.
Rainwater harvesting systems to collect and store runoff for later use.
What is greywater recycling?
Reusing lightly used household wastewater (e.g., from baths and sinks) for irrigation or flushing toilets.
What is the South–North Water Transfer Project?
A Chinese scheme diverting water from the Yangtze River basin to northern regions via canals and tunnels.
What are the pros of the South–North Water Transfer Project?
Supplies reliable water to 20 million people, supports irrigation and industry.
What are the cons of the South–North Water Transfer Project?
High cost (~$62 billion), ecosystem damage, displacement of ~345 000 people.
How do Kenyan sand dams work?
They trap rainwater under sand in riverbeds, storing water in the sand for gradual release.
What are the benefits of sand dams?
Low-cost, sustainable storage with minimal evaporation and easy local maintenance.
How should you structure a 9-mark question evaluating water management strategies?
Introduce strategies, outline pros and cons for at least three with evidence, compare effectiveness, and conclude.
How should you structure a 6-mark question explaining causes and consequences of water insecurity?
Define causes and consequences, give two examples of each, and explain their relative importance.
