Water Flashcards
(16 cards)
Amazon Rainforest – Deforestation and Water Cycle Disruption
Location: South America
Issue: 20% of the forest has been destroyed
Impact: Disruption of the drainage basin cycle
Lowered humidities
Reduced precipitation
Increased surface runoff and infiltration
More soil erosion
Decreased transpiration
Aral Sea – Water Insecurity and Environmental Degradation
Location: Between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan
Size: Over 26,000 sq miles; 4th largest lake in the world
Issue: In 50 years, the lake lost 90% of its volume
Cause: Soviet Union’s diversion of rivers for irrigation
Consequences:
Decline of fishing industry
Loss of biodiversity
Health issues due to exposed salt
sahel Region – Desertification and Water Scarcity
Location: Semi-arid region south of the Sahara
Affected Countries: 11 countries including Senegal, Chad, and Sudan
Issue: Pronounced decline in annual rainfall since the 1960s
Impact: Increased desertification and water scarcity
Management: Efforts to combat desertification through sustainable land management practices
River Nile – Transboundary Water Management
Length: 6,700 km
Countries Involved: 11, including Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia
Issue: Egypt depends on the Nile for 95% of its water needs
Initiatives:
1999 Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) to promote cooperative water management
Construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in 2011
Challenges: Disputes over water allocation and dam construction
California Drought 2012-2016 – Water Scarcity
Duration: 5 years
Impact:
Agricultural losses estimated at $2.7 billion
Over 100 million trees died due to water stress
Water restrictions imposed across the state
Measures: Implementation of water conservation policies and investment in water recycling technologies
🇦🇺 Australia – Water Management in the Murray-Darling Basin
Australia – Water Management in the Murray-Darling Basin
Back:
Location: Southeastern Australia
Issue: Over-allocation of water resources leading to environmental degradation
Initiatives:
2007 National Plan for Water Security to improve water efficiency
Investment in water-saving irrigation technologies
Outcomes: Improved water quality and ecosystem health in the basin
Singapore – Sustainable Water Management
NEWater: Recycled wastewater for non-potable use
Desalination: Meeting up to 30% of the nation’s water needs
Rainwater harvesting: Integrated into urban planning
Goal: By 2060, aims to meet 55% of water demand through NEWater and desalination
What is the Helsinki Water Convention?
Signed in 1992 under UNECE 🌍, aims to protect and manage transboundary waters (rivers, lakes, groundwater) shared by countries.
Focuses on preventing pollution 🚱, improving water quality 💧, and ensuring fair access 🌊.
Requires cooperation between countries to manage shared water resources and resolve disputes peacefully 🤝.
Key Points:
Pollution prevention: Countries must limit water pollution.
Sustainable use: Ensure water is used wisely for development and ecosystem health 🌱.
Cooperation: Countries share data, monitoring, and work together 🌐.
What are the Berlin Rules?
the Berlin Rules were adopted in 2004 by the International Law Association (ILA) to guide the management of international watercourses 🌍.
They provide a framework for the equitable and sustainable use of shared water resources like rivers and lakes 🌊.
Focus on protecting ecosystems, ensuring human rights to water, and promoting cooperation between countries 🌐.
Key Principles:
Equity: Water use should be fair for all nations sharing the resource ⚖️.
Sustainability: Emphasizes maintaining the health of water ecosystems 🏞️.
Prevention of harm: Countries must prevent harm to shared waters and ensure joint management 🤝.
What is the Colorado River?
The Colorado River is a major river in North America, flowing through seven U.S. states and Mexico 🌎.
It is crucial for water supply, agriculture, and hydropower for millions of people 💧⚡.
The river faces issues of overuse, drought, and water rights disputes due to growing demand and reduced flow 🌵.
Key Facts:
Water-sharing agreements: The 1944 U.S.-Mexico Treaty and the Colorado River Compact (1922) divide water use between states and Mexico 🤝.
The river is heavily dammed, with Lake Mead and Lake Powell being key reservoirs 🏞️.
Environmental challenges: Overuse has led to reduced flow to the Gulf of California 🌊.
What is Tuvalu’s saltwater encroachment?
Tuvalu is a small Pacific island nation at risk from sea-level rise 🌊, causing saltwater intrusion into freshwater resources 💧.
Saltwater encroachment occurs when rising seas cause saltwater to enter underground aquifers and soil, making water undrinkable and damaging crops 🌱.
Tuvalu’s land area is low-lying, and climate change exacerbates the threat of flooding and water scarcity 🌍.
Key Impacts:
Threat to drinking water: Freshwater wells become contaminated by saltwater 🧂.
Agriculture loss: Saltwater ruins farmlands and reduces food security 🌾.
Migration: Increased salinity may force Tuvaluans to migrate due to lack of resources 🚶♂️.
How is Australia using smart irrigation to manage water sustainably?
In response to frequent droughts, Australia uses smart irrigation systems (like drip irrigation and moisture sensors) to conserve water in agriculture—especially in the Murray-Darling Basin—boosting efficiency and crop yields while reducing water waste.
Why is the Colorado River a source of conflict?
The Colorado River supplies water to 7 U.S. states and Mexico, but overallocation, drought, and climate change have led to shortages. Major dams (e.g. Hoover Dam) and competing demands from agriculture, cities, and ecosystems create tensions among users.
What is the ITCZ
A belt of low pressure 🌡️ around the equator where the trade winds converge from both hemispheres.
Causes rising air, heavy rainfall, and thunderstorms ⛈️.
Moves with the Sun — north in June, south in December ☀️.
Key to seasonal rainfall in tropical areas (e.g., monsoons in India) 🌧️.
What is a blocking anticyclone?
A large, high-pressure system that stays in place for days or weeks 🧱.
Blocks the path of low-pressure weather systems (e.g., storms) 🚫☁️.
Causes prolonged weather: e.g., heatwaves ☀️ or cold snaps ❄️.
Example: UK 2018 heatwave caused by a blocking anticyclone over Europe.
What is the ENSO cycle?
A natural climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean that affects global weather 🌍.
Two phases:
El Niño: Warm water shifts east ➡️, causes drought in Australia and floods in South America 🔥💧.
La Niña: Opposite effect — cold water spreads west ⬅️, wetter in Australia, drier in Peru 🌧️🌬️.
Cycle disrupts rainfall, agriculture, and global climate every 2–7 years.
