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Questions and Answers
Which type of flood is caused primarily by heavy rainfall and dam failure?
What is a common negative effect of drought?
Which of the following is not a type of drought?
How can a tsunami contribute to flooding?
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Which factor does not contribute to river floods?
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What is a benefit of dams related to water management?
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Which of the following is a cause of agricultural drought?
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Which effect is commonly associated with floods?
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What is one property of water that helps it sustain aquatic life in extreme cold?
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What percentage of freshwater is consumed by agriculture?
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Which characteristic of water allows it to effectively dissolve various nutrients and pollutants?
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What is the average daily requirement of water per person?
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Which region uses only 1% of the world's fresh water despite having 5% of the world’s population?
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What effect does water's high latent heat of vaporization have on the environment?
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Which of the following causes water to rise through the trunks of trees?
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What is expected to happen to the number of countries facing water shortages by 2025?
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Which factor does NOT contribute to the over-exploitation of groundwater?
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What is the origin of the Kaveri dispute?
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Which water conflict involves Turkey, Syria, and Iraq?
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What can result from the over-exploitation of groundwater?
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Which statement about the Indus Water Treaty is correct?
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What does an aquifer consist of?
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Which river is NOT involved in a water conflict among Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan?
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Which dispute centers around the Satluj-Yamuna Link canal?
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Study Notes
Water Resources Overview
- Understanding water availability is crucial for sustainable management and planning.
- Importance of reading academic resources for comprehensive exam preparation.
Properties of Water
- Highest specific heat: Warms and cools slowly, protecting aquatic life from temperature shocks.
- High latent heat of vaporization: Absorbs significant energy during evaporation, producing a cooling effect.
- Excellent solvent: Carries nutrients like oxygen but can also transport pollutants and pathogens.
- High surface tension and cohesion: Enables water transport to great heights in trees.
- Anomalous expansion: Ice floats, insulating water below and sustaining aquatic organisms in cold conditions.
Importance of Water
- Essential for all living cells.
- Key input for agriculture, supporting global food production.
- Utilized in industries for cooling, heating, and various processes.
- Vital for electricity generation, particularly in hydroelectric systems.
- Serves as a transportation medium through waterways.
- Essential for producing common salt and providing habitats for aquatic organisms.
Water Usage Statistics
- Agriculture accounts for 70% of global water use, whereas municipal uses are at 11% and industrial at 19%.
- Average daily water requirement per person is 20-40 liters, doubling usage from 50 years ago.
- The US consumes 30% of the world's fresh water despite comprising only 4% of the global population.
- Middle East utilizes only 1% of available fresh water although it houses 5% of the world's population.
- Over 1 billion people lack access to fresh water; 31 countries currently face water scarcity, expected to rise to 48 by 2025.
Conflicts Over Water
- Tigris and Euphrates rivers: Disputes involving Turkey, Syria, and Iraq.
- Nile River: Tensions among Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan.
- Jordan River: Conflict among Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine.
- Aral Sea: Issues concerning Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
- Indus Water Treaty: Governs shared water rights between Pakistan and India.
- Kaveri River dispute: Involves rights between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, originating from historical agreements.
- Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal dispute: Involves Punjab and Haryana.
Water Cycle
- Critical for replenishing freshwater sources through processes like evaporation and precipitation; relevant details were not provided in the notes.
Sources of Water
- Surface Water: Obtained from rainfall and snow.
- Groundwater: Divided into confined and unconfined aquifers; essential for drinking and irrigation.
- Aquifers: Porous rock or sediment layers that store groundwater, replenished by precipitation.
Overexploitation of Groundwater
- Leads to ground subsidence and lowering of water tables.
- Affects surface water flows and increases power consumption due to deeper drilling.
- Results in waterlogging and pollution of groundwater resources.
Water Calamities - Floods
- Types include flash floods (caused by intense rainfall or dam failures), river floods (precipitation over large areas), and coastal floods (triggered by cyclones and tsunamis).
- Causes include upslope (melting snow, intense rain) and downslope factors (dams, tides).
- Negative effects of floods: Loss of life and property, crop damage, increased health risks, and tourism decline.
- Positive effects: Natural distribution of nutrients and fish relocation.
Water Calamities - Droughts
- Types involve meteorological (less rainfall), hydrological (low stream flow), and agricultural (low soil moisture) droughts.
- Causes include prolonged dry seasons, climate change, and human activity like erosion.
- Effects: Decreased crop growth, dust storms, famine, habitat changes, mass migration, reduced electricity generation, and increased wildfire risks.
Benefits of Dams
- Generate electricity and create employment opportunities.
- Provide irrigation and drinking water supplies.
- Reduce famine risk and help control flooding.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the vital properties and importance of water. This quiz covers water availability, its role in the ecosystem, agriculture, and industrial applications. Enhance your understanding for sustainable management of this crucial resource.
