142 Questions
What is the primary state of water that is less dense than liquid water?
Ice
Which form of water covers about 71% of the Earth's surface?
Liquid Water
What is the gaseous state of water called?
Water Vapor
Which process involves the cooling and condensing of water vapor into clouds?
Condensation
What process involves the release of water vapor into the air from water bodies and plants?
Evapotranspiration
What describes the continuous movement of water within the Earth and its atmosphere?
The Hydrological Cycle
What happens when cloud particles become too heavy to remain airborne?
They form precipitation (rain, sleet, hail, or snow).
What percentage of the world's water is fresh water?
3%
Where is the majority of Earth's fresh water stored?
In icecaps and glaciers
What influences climate patterns by heating or cooling the air above them?
Ocean currents
Which factor primarily drives surface ocean currents?
Wind
How does the Coriolis effect influence ocean currents' direction?
Causes deflection to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere
Which warm ocean current flows from the USA across the Atlantic to Europe, impacting north-western Europe's climate?
Gulf Stream
What is a significant economic activity related to oceans that relies on nutrient-rich cold waters of currents like the Benguela?
Fishing
What is not true about ocean currents?
They have no impact on marine life.
What role do icecaps and glaciers play in global water distribution?
They store most of Earth's fresh water.
What major threat does overfishing pose to marine biodiversity?
Decrease in marine biodiversity
Which industry benefits from warm currents along coasts like KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa?
Tourism industry
Which process is mentioned as energy-intensive and costly in the context of desalination?
Boiling
What is a significant impact of ocean pollution on human health?
Devastating effects on human health
In South Africa, what is the average annual rainfall compared to the global average?
Lower than the global average
What is a predicted impact of climate change on water management in South Africa?
Longer dry spells
What impact do dams have on ecosystems according to the text?
Reducing water quality
How do fertilizers and pesticides contribute to water pollution according to the text?
Through processes like eutrophication
What purpose do dams serve in South Africa?
Managing and storing water
What contributes to reduced infiltration and increased runoff according to the text?
Urbanization
What is a major challenge faced in the implementation of the Free Basic Water (FBW) policy?
Rapid urbanization leading to logistical constraints
Who is primarily responsible for managing local water resources according to the text?
Municipalities
What is a strategy mentioned for sustainable water use in the text?
Recycling water
Which type of projects showcase the government's role in enhancing water availability based on the text?
Water infrastructure projects
What key factor can cause coastal flooding according to the text?
Strong winds combined with high tides
Which human activities contribute to increased flood severity?
Urbanization and deforestation
What do flood hydrographs help in understanding according to the text?
Land use effects on river discharge
'Lag time' in flood management refers to:
The delay between peak rainfall and peak discharge
What is the primary driver of the hydrological cycle?
Solar energy
Which process involves the formation of clouds from water vapor condensation?
Condensation
Why does ice float on liquid water?
Ice expands and is less dense than liquid water
In which state does water exist in its gaseous form in the atmosphere?
Water vapor
What percentage of the Earth's surface is covered by liquid water in oceans, rivers, and lakes?
71%
What happens when water vapor from the air condenses into tiny droplets?
It forms clouds
What is a key challenge that climate change poses to water management in South Africa?
Longer dry spells and severe floods
How do dams impact ecosystems, according to the text?
Cause disruptions and flooding
What major environmental concern arises from urbanization as discussed in the text?
Altered river flows and polluted waters
Which process is mentioned as energy-intensive and costly for water production from seawater?
Reverse osmosis
What is a significant impact of ocean pollution on marine life?
Devastating effects on marine life
What is a key factor contributing to water pollution from human activities?
Increased eutrophication
Which region of South Africa experiences no rain in winter and no summer rain either?
Western Cape
What is the primary role of desalination as discussed in the text?
Providing water for arid regions
What percentage of Earth's water is held in icecaps and glaciers?
68.7%
What is the primary method by which water returns from the atmosphere to the surface of the Earth?
Precipitation
Which ocean current flows along the east coast of South Africa and influences local climate and marine life?
Agulhas Current
What percentage of surface water is made up of swamps?
11%
What factor causes water to move due to variations in density?
Salinity
Which ocean current influences the climate of north-western Europe flowing from the USA across the Atlantic?
Gulf Stream
What is the primary source of oxygen production from oceans?
Algae and Plankton
What affects deep ocean currents by influencing water density?
Temperature
What is a significant problem that arises from overfishing in oceans?
Reduced fish stocks
What type of energy resources are sourced from oceans?
Wind and solar energy
What poses a challenge to the actual implementation of the Free Basic Water (FBW) policy?
Logistical and financial constraints
Which entity plays a critical role in managing local water resources and ensuring quality water supply to the populace?
Water Boards
What is a strategy mentioned in the text for conserving water and maintaining quality?
Restoring wetlands
What is the primary human cause of downstream flooding according to the text?
Poor Water Management
Which factor typically shortens lag time and increases discharge in flood hydrographs?
Land Use Effects
What is a characteristic of floods mentioned as causing extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture?
Water-borne Diseases
What is a flood management strategy aimed at preventing overflow?
Construction of Barriers
Which event can lead to significant coastal flooding according to the text?
Onshore Winds and High Tides
What can exacerbate the frequency and severity of floods according to the text?
Impacts of Deforestation and Poor Farming
What influences flood potential by representing the delay between peak rainfall and peak discharge?
Lag Time
What unique characteristic of ice is mentioned in the text?
Expanding and moving further apart when freezing
Which process involves the formation of clouds from water vapor condensation?
Condensation
What describes the continuous movement of water within the Earth and its atmosphere?
Hydrological cycle
What is the primary role of the hydrological cycle in Earth's systems?
Driving weather and climate systems
Which state of water covers about 71% of the Earth's surface according to the text?
Liquid water
What happens when cloud particles become too heavy to remain airborne?
They fall as precipitation
What is a significant challenge posed by overfishing to marine biodiversity?
Diminished fish populations
What is a key impact of desalination processes on water availability?
Increased water scarcity
How do warm ocean currents benefit tourism along coasts like KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa?
Attracting diverse marine life
What is a significant prediction about climate change impacts on river runoff in South Africa?
Decrease in runoff along the east coast
How do dams in South Africa impact ecosystems?
Causing disruptions to traditional living areas
What is the primary negative consequence of high evaporation rates on water availability in South Africa?
Water loss through evaporation
What role do rivers play in South Africa compared to other major African rivers like the Zambezi?
Lack of large estuaries and lakes
How do urbanization and human activities impact water quality according to the text?
Leading to reduced infiltration and increased runoff
'Eutrophication' as mentioned in the text is primarily caused by:
'High levels of nutrients entering water bodies'
'Traditional living areas' are most disrupted by:
'Dams and infrastructure developments'
What is a common physical cause of floods mentioned in the text?
High rainfall
In what type of areas are low-lying regions particularly susceptible to flooding due to slower river flows?
Geographically flat areas
What human activity can accelerate runoff in urban areas according to the text?
Impermeable surface construction
What is a significant impact of floods on society as mentioned in the text?
Spread of water-borne diseases
What type of practices increase soil erosion and enhance surface runoff, contributing to floods?
Deforestation and poor farming
What tool is crucial for understanding river discharge patterns over time?
Hydrograph
What factor typically shortens lag time and increases discharge in flood hydrographs?
"Gray" infrastructure development
What is a common human cause of downstream flooding according to the text?
"Gray" infrastructure development
"Flood defences" is a flood management strategy aimed at preventing what?
"Overflow"
"Land-use policies" are implemented with the aim of restricting development in what type of areas?
Flood-prone areas
What is the primary method by which water returns from the atmosphere to the surface of the Earth?
Precipitation
Which factor primarily influences deep ocean currents by causing water to move?
Salinity
What is a significant environmental concern related to overfishing?
Depleted fish stocks
Which ocean current flows along the west coast of South Africa and influences local climate and marine life?
Benguela Current
What causes water to deflect either to the right or left in the Earth's oceans?
Coriolis effect
Which region holds the second-largest reserve of fresh water according to the text?
Groundwater
What is a key role that wind plays in influencing ocean currents?
Generating surface currents
What percentage of Earth's water is stored in icecaps and glaciers?
~68.7%
'The hydrological cycle facilitates the distribution and renewal of Earth's water supply' - Which term describes this cycle?
Water cycle
What is a significant source of oxygen production from oceans according to the text?
Plankton
What unique characteristic of liquid water allows it to conform to the shape of its container?
Low surface tension
Which key process of the hydrological cycle involves the cooling and condensing of water vapor into clouds?
Condensation
What is the primary reason ice floats on liquid water, as mentioned in the text?
Expansion and increased density when frozen
What causes water vapor to condense into clouds in the atmosphere?
Cooling of water vapor
Which characteristic of water vapor leads to its presence in the air in the gaseous state?
High heat capacity
What is the critical difference between ice (solid) and liquid water based on their behavior, as discussed in the text?
Ice is denser than liquid water
What is the primary method for mitigating the impacts of floods as discussed in the text?
Developing efficient forecasting systems
How do human activities contribute to increased flood severity according to the text?
By removing vegetation that helps absorb water
What is a key physical cause of coastal flooding mentioned in the text?
High tides combined with strong winds
How do flood hydrographs aid in flood management?
By displaying river discharge patterns over time
What is a significant challenge faced in the actual implementation of the Free Basic Water (FBW) policy?
Logistical and financial constraints in urban areas
What is a common human cause of floods mentioned in the text?
Deforestation and poor farming practices
In flood management, what do flood defences primarily aim to achieve?
Construction of barriers to prevent overflow
What is a primary reason why desalination processes are considered energy-intensive and costly?
The need for extensive infrastructure
Which region in South Africa experiences no rain in winter and also has a lack of summer rain?
Western Cape
What significant impact do dams have on ecosystems according to the text?
Altering habitats and ecosystems
Which area in South Africa has low average rainfall compared to the global average?
Northern Cape
What is a common negative consequence of overfishing on marine biodiversity?
Disruption of food chains
Which human activity contributes to reduced infiltration, increased runoff, and altered river flows?
Agriculture
What is the primary role of the South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI)?
Regulating fishing quotas for biodiversity conservation
What is a significant prediction about climate change impacts on river runoff in South Africa?
Longer dry spells and more frequent floods
How do high evaporation rates affect water availability in South Africa?
Reduce freshwater availability
What impact does runoff acceleration have on urban areas according to the text?
Increased likelihood of flooding
What is the primary method by which water returns from the atmosphere to the surface of the Earth?
Precipitation
Which factor primarily influences deep ocean currents by causing water to move?
Temperature
What is a major challenge faced in the implementation of the Free Basic Water (FBW) policy?
Funding constraints
Which ocean current flows from the USA across the Atlantic to Europe, impacting north-western Europe's climate?
Gulf Stream
What influences climate patterns by heating or cooling the air above them?
Ocean currents
'Lag time' in flood management refers to:
The time between peak rainfall and peak discharge
What is a significant impact of ocean pollution on human health?
Mercury poisoning from contaminated fish consumption
What causes water to deflect either to the right or left in Earth's oceans?
Coriolis effect
What is a significant problem that arises from overfishing in oceans?
Disruption of marine ecosystems
What is a characteristic of floods mentioned as causing extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture?
Floods erode soil, damage crops, and destroy buildings.
What are the primary challenges to implementing the Free Basic Water (FBW) policy?
Logistical and financial obstacles in rapidly urbanizing areas
How do floods caused by snow melting differ from those caused by high rainfall as per the text?
Snow melting floods lead to rapid flooding compared to high rainfall floods
What is a consequence of poor water management on flood occurrence according to the text?
Increased likelihood of rapid water release leading to flooding
How do urban areas contribute to flood risks according to the text?
By accelerating runoff through impermeable surfaces
What is the primary focus of flood defences in flood risk management strategies?
Constructing barriers and levees to prevent overflow
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