geography unit 2 watery world 2

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water supplies vary so much because the distribution of rainfall varies. The north generally gets more rain whereas countries further to the south tend to get less rainfall. Some areas have high evapotranspiration rates so water gets quickly evaporat
In the UK the rainfall we receive is unevenly distributed. In the most densely populated areas (South East) we recieve the least amount of rainfall (less than 800mm), whereas the least populated areas receive the most (Scottish mountains etc)- 2000mm
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Leakage - In London more than 1/2 the water mains are over 100 years old, ageing pipes leak. 30% of the water supply is lost through leaks and cracks. In 2006 in England & Wales, 3.5 billion litres of water lost daily through broken + leaking pipes
This water lost daily is a loss to the economy of between £1,512,000 and £3,600,000 because this is how much it will cost to re-treat the water to make it drinkable.
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Seasonal rain imbalance - This is a problem with the seasonal supply of water in many of the Mediterranean holiday areas e.g- in Spain where they receive most of their rainfall in the winter months and barely any in the summer months
e.g in Costa Del Sol (Spain) May to Oct - only 70mm, other 6 months - 385mm. It is in the summer when tourists come, water needed for swimming pools, golf courses etc and also food, which needs water for irrigation. In 2008 water sold on black market
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variability - because rainfall cannot be relied upon there are often times of deficit. Long periods of low levels of rainfall can lead to problems such as reservoirs running low + water restrictions.
When there are high levels of rainfall, the reservoirs, aquifers and rivers are replenished.
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Water related diseases - Dysentery -infectous disease of large intestine, symptoms include sickness, diarrhoea containing blood. Malaria,
Bilharzia-caused by parasitic worms, Trachoma-parasites in contaminated water can lead to blindness.
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Mining operations and oil exploitation in the Amazon region have contaminated water supplies which can lead to cancer, miscarriages, dermatitis, fungal infection and headaches.
Their drinking/ bathing/ fishing water contain levels of toxins much higher than the safety limits set by the US EPA. Achuar people - 66% of children had levels of lead in their blood which exceeded the maximum safe amount
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

This water lost daily is a loss to the economy of between £1,512,000 and £3,600,000 because this is how much it will cost to re-treat the water to make it drinkable.

Back

Leakage - In London more than 1/2 the water mains are over 100 years old, ageing pipes leak. 30% of the water supply is lost through leaks and cracks. In 2006 in England & Wales, 3.5 billion litres of water lost daily through broken + leaking pipes

Card 3

Front

e.g in Costa Del Sol (Spain) May to Oct - only 70mm, other 6 months - 385mm. It is in the summer when tourists come, water needed for swimming pools, golf courses etc and also food, which needs water for irrigation. In 2008 water sold on black market

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

When there are high levels of rainfall, the reservoirs, aquifers and rivers are replenished.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Bilharzia-caused by parasitic worms, Trachoma-parasites in contaminated water can lead to blindness.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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