Chapter 4: Water Answers

Chapter 4: Water Answers

Section A: The world’s water

(a)

(i)How much of the Earth’s water is freshwater?(1 mark)

2.5%

(ii)How much of this is easily accessible? Explain your answer. (1 + 1 mark)

Of this 2.5%, just over 30% is accessible. Most of this is groundwater in underground rocks which can be accessed via wells, boreholes and aquifers. Only 0.3% is surface water, found in rivers and lakes.

(b)Describe each of the following parts of the hydrological cycle:(1 + 1 mark)

(i)groundwater flow: flowing through rocks underground

(ii)transpiration: water vapour given off by trees and plants

(c)Name the three different states water can be found in within the hydrological cycle. Give a specific example with each one:(3 x 1 mark)

(i)Gas e.g. water vapour

(ii)Solid e.g. ice

(iii)Liquid e.g. in rivers and lakes

(a)Give two reasons why fresh water is an essential resource. (2 x 1 mark)

(i)It is essential to life = humans need to drink at least 2 litres of water a day

(ii)It is also needed for cooking and for hygiene (washing) and sanitation (disposal of human waste)

(b)The map below shows that fresh water is not evenly distributed across the world.Explain the main reasons for this, giving named examples. (3 marks – maximum 2 without examples)

Student choice – examples should be countries or regions plus map data (amounts)

(c)One of the Millennium Development Goals was to halve the proportion of people living without access to safe water and sanitation by 2020. This has already been achieved for water, but not sanitation. Explain why, giving named examples. (5 marks – maximum 3 without examples.)

Should include why water targets have been met but not sanitation:

•Countries like China and India have worked hard to improve access to water – whether via wells in rural areas or piped supplies in growing and industrialising urban areas

•Even basic sanitation facilities can be costly, especially in rural and remote areas in LDCs which are unlikely to have piped water. This is especially true across Sub-Saharan Africa

(a)Describe the differences in the amounts of water used in agriculture, industry and domestically between high income and low/middle income countries. (2 marks)

In high income countries nearly 60% of all water used is in the industrial sector, compared to about 10% in low/middle income countries. Typically in these countries agriculture uses most – averaging just over 80%. Domestic use is 12% in high income countries, compared to 8% elsewhere.

(b) Study the water footprints for domestic water use.

(i)Explain what we mean by a water footprint. (1 mark)

How much water (usually in litres) each person uses each day for their needs (not just to drink)

(ii) Describe and explain the main differences it shows. (3 marks)

The average for North America is by far the highest, almost twice as much per person than the next two highest, South America and Europe. Homes have many machines and gadgets which use water, plus luxury items like swimming pools, especially in desert cities like Phoenix. Asia and Africa use 120 and 75 litres respectively. Many regions have no piped water and rely on wells or streams.

The Netherlands has a much smaller water footprint than the average for Europe: a number of measures to encourage water efficiency are in place, including clear labelling on how efficient every water using device is.

(a)Agriculture is the biggest single user of fresh water – much of it needed for irrigation. Explain three reasons why irrigation is needed. Give named examples of countries where each is used.
(3 x 1 mark) Must have type plus example location for each mark. E.g.:

•To grow crops in areas with minimal rainfall e.g. Egypt

•To make up for seasonal variations in rainfall e.g. Europe’s southern Mediterranean

•To increase yields / grow more e.g. rice in SEAsia

•To grow crops which otherwise wouldn’t grow e.g. in glasshouses in the Netherlands

(b)Study the diagram below.

(i)What type of irrigation does it show?(1 mark)

Drip or trickle irrigation

(ii) Add your own annotated labels to explain how it works.(4 marks see diagram)

(a)Why does it take over 2000 litres of water to produce one T-shirt? Use these words in your answer: manufacturing, virtual or embedded water, other water uses. (4 marks)

•Some is in the product itself

•Some is needed in the manufacturing process e.g. to wash the cotton, add and remove dyes, clean and run machinery, cool equipment. The water that is used but cannot be seen in the product is called embedded or virtual water

•Water is needed for other uses e.g. in the factory for those producing the goods = washing and toilet facilities, canteens, cleaning etc.

(b)Describe and explain two reasons increasing amounts of water are likely to be needed for industry in the future. (2 x 2 marks. E.g.)

•Many LDCs are industrialising e.g. BRICS

•Increasing populations need more goods and energy – so more water

•Water is needed to help clear up waste and pollution from industrial processes

•Tourism is the world’s fastest growing industry – facilities e.g. hotels, restaurants,golf courses etc. need water

(Total marks = 40)

Section B: Water in the Netherlands

(a) Study the map below. Describe how each natural feature was formed and its location.
(2 + 2 marks)

(i)the delta: formed as the rivers Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt slow down and enter the North Sea on the south west coast of the Netherlands

(ii)the sand dunes: sand deposited as beaches is blown inland, piling up as a line of sand dunes along the coast of the Netherlands from the Hook of Holland 120km north.

(b)In what ways has water: (2 marks)

(i)benefited the Netherlands

•Location on a major river delta on the edge of Europe helped major ports like Rotterdam develop

•Excellent position for trading within and outside Europe

(ii)caused problems(2 marks)

•Constant danger of flooding, from the sea along the coast and from rivers inland

(a)

(i)Which organisation is responsible for the national water system and waterways today? (1 mark)

The Rijkswaterstat

(ii)There are now 26 local water boards. What are they responsible for? (2 marks: 2 correct for 1 mark, all 3 for 2 marks)

Management of local water resources, flood control and waste water

(b)

(i)What is the approximate water use per person per day in the Netherlands? (1 mark)

127 litres per person per day

(ii)How and why has domestic water consumption and use changed since 1995? Refer to actual examples in your answer.(3 marks)

It has decreased/fallen by 7%. The amount used in equipment like washing machines and toilets is less as they have become more water efficient, using less. Also all water appliances have to have a water efficient label, so customers can choose those which use less.

(a)What event finally led to the government starting the Zuiderzee Works? (1 mark)

The storm in the winter of 1916 which caused flooding and damaged a number of dykes.

(b)What were its three main aims? (3 x 1 mark)

•Protect against North Sea floods

•Create polders for farming to produce more food/increase food security

•Improve water management by creating Lake Ijssel, a freshwater lake

(c)Why can salinisation be a problem when land is drained or reclaimed? (2 marks)

If too much water is pumped out, salt can rise to the surface and make the soil saline and so infertile

(a)Describe what the following mean: (2 x 1 mark)

(i)hard engineering: the construction of dams and barriers or other permanent structures, usually from rock, stone or concrete.

(ii)beach replenishment: also called beach nourishment – replacing or adding sand to beaches helps slow down erosion and absorb wave impact.

(b)Study the map (below) showing the Delta Works. Use the map andwhat you have learnt about the Works to help you write a brief case study about it. Include named locations in your answer. (6 marks – max 3 marks if no locations given)

(c)Both the Zuiderzee and Delta works shortened the existing coastline. Describe two ways in which this is useful. (2 x 1 mark)

•Less land to defend (more cost-effective to maintain) from flooding

•Easier and cheaper to maintain

(a)Explain why inland flooding is a major problem in the Netherlands.(3 marks)

Three major European rivers flow into and across the Netherlands – the Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt. Flooding is a natural event, but an additional hazard for the Netherlands as so much of the land is flat lowland at or below sea level. This means that dykes and embankments are needed to prevent damage to the often overcrowded and densely populated flood plains around the rivers.

(b)Describe the ‘Room for the River Scheme’ using the headings: aim(s), methods used and costs.
(6 marks – approximately 2 marks per section, depending on detail. Max 3 for ANY section.)

(Total marks = 40)

Section C: Coping for the future

(a)Explain why the demand for water in LDCs is increasing at a faster rate than in MDCs. Give named examples in your answers. (2 x 1 marks – maximum 1 mark if no examples)

•Increasing industrialisation e.g. BRICS (or any single country)

•Population growth is higher in LDCs than in MDCs + appropriate example

(b) Explain what is meant by: (2 x 1 mark)

(i)water stress: when demand for water exceeds supply

(ii)water scarcity: lack of water

(c)Study the graphic showing the United Nations Human Right to Water declaration made in 2010.

(i)Do you and your family have all theserights? Explain why. (1 mark)

Unlikely that they have not: so answer is yes, because they live in a MDC and have water in their homes

(ii)Which of these do you think is the mostdifficult to achieve for all the world’s people?Explain why. (1 mark for choice, 2 for explanation)

Student choice – any provided explanation supports choice fully

(a)

(i)Explain why rivers like the Rhine and Euphrates are called ‘transnational’ rivers.(1 mark)

They flow through at least two countries (more in both cases)

(ii)Why do countries downstream along a transnational river often experience problems? (1 mark)

If a country upstream alters the flow e.g. by building a dam, they may have restricted flows

(b)

(i)Describe the course of the River Euphrates from its source to the sea. Use distances, directions and named locations in your answer. (3 marks) e.g.:

•Source is in Turkey from where it flows south across the country before crossing into Syria

•It flows across the north east of Syria into Iraq

•The river is 2800km long, with just over half of this flowing from the north west to the south east in Iraq

•It is joined by the Tigris before entering the sea in the Gulf

(ii)Many dams have been built across the Euphrates (shown by black lines on the map). One of these is the Ataturk dam in Turkey. What problems has this caused between Syria and Turkey? (3 marks)

•In the late 1900s Syria joined forces with Iraq about use of the water from the Euphrates

•They persuaded some of the companies involved in Turkey’s GAP project to boycott it

•Turkey has increased the water flow, but it is still much less than before the dam opened

(a)

(i)What is an aquifer? (1 mark)

A rock which holds water e.g. chalk

(ii)Why are aquifers especially important in the Middle East? (1 mark)

It is a very dry/arid region with little surface water and high evaporation

(b)Why have a number of the most serious conflicts over access to water happened in the Middle East?(2 marks)

The area already has a long history of conflict. Water is very scarce here, as it is an arid region. There is increasing pressure on supplies as the population is also increasing, depleting stores in the aquifers they rely on.

(c)Explain why access to water is a cause of conflict betweenthe Israelis and Palestinians. Use these words in your answer: West Bank, aquifer, irrigation, water tankers. (4 marks – can allocate 1 per listed word if answer fully explains cause of conflict. E.g.)

•Large aquifers upon which the region depends lie mainly under Israel. Including the disputed West Bank

•Since 1967 Israel has controlled access to the water

•Israel has enough water for piped supplies and to irrigate farmland

•The Palestinians often have to rely on water tankers to deliver water

•Tankers are unreliable as they may get stopped at checkpoints, and the water is more expensive

(a)Study the map below showing the extent of the flooding in Pakistan in 2010.

(i)What is the name of themain river?(1 mark)

The River Indus

(ii)Approximately how much of Pakistan was flooded?(1 mark)

25%.

(iii)Which was the worst hit area? (1 mark)

The lowlands in the south west

(b) Give three reasons why flooding is a constant problem for Pakistan.(3 x 1 mark)

•Most rain falls during the annual monsoon (June-September).

•These rains are very heavy, causing rivers to quickly fill and flood

•The south west of the country is very flat, increasing flood risk

•Silt build up means the river can hold less water before overflowing

(c)Describe and explain a human activity which has increased the flood risk.(1 mark for description, 1 for explanation) One from:

•Poor maintenance of drainage ditches for irrigation which silt up and overflow

•Dams and barrages and river straightening alter the flow

•Deforestation increases surface run off

•Embankments can prevent floodwater from returning to the river

Both Pakistan and the Netherlands suffer from flooding.

(i)From your study of Rotterdam, explain how it is trying to prevent flooding. (5 marks)

May include:

•Constructing water plazas which can store floodwater

•Installing green roofs for rain harvesting

•Building multifunctional facilities e.g. car parks which can store floodwater

Good answers will include more detail and may give named examples

(ii)How and why is this different from trying to prevent flooding in Pakistan? (3 marks)

•Scale is different – Pakistan has much bigger areas to protect

•Rotterdam = is a MDC; Pakistan is a LDC = lack of resources for adequate prevention schemes

•Netherlands can finance prevention schemes

Total = 40 marks

Section A = 40 marks

Section B = 40 marks

Section C = 40 marks

Total = 120 marks