Question 1: Aquifer: An underground layer of permeable rock that holds groundwater. Example: The Chalk aquifer in southern England.

Answer: Underground layer of permeable rock that stores groundwater

Question 2: Water Scarcity: A situation where demand for water exceeds supply, often caused by overuse, pollution, or drought.

Answer: Demand for water exceeds supply, leading to shortages

Question 3: Desalination: The process of removing salt from seawater to produce fresh water. Example: Desalination plants in the Middle East.

Answer: Process of removing salt from seawater to produce fresh water

Question 4: Water Footprint: The total volume of water used to produce goods and services. Example: The water footprint of a cotton T-shirt.

Answer: Total volume of water used in producing goods/services

Question 5: Water Stress: A condition where water demand is high relative to supply, leading to potential shortages.

Answer: High demand relative to supply causing potential shortages

Question 1: Which UK city experienced a major water crisis in 2000 due to over-extraction and drought conditions?

Answer: London

Question 2: Name the largest saltwater lake in the world that has experienced significant shrinkage due to water diversion projects.

Answer: The Aral Sea

Question 3: What is the primary source of freshwater used for drinking in the UK?

Answer: Rivers and lakes

Question 4: Identify one major challenge faced by Cape Town during its water crisis in 2018.

Answer: Drought and overuse of reservoirs

Question 5: Which process is commonly used to produce fresh water from seawater?

Answer: Desalination

Question 1: Describe the main causes of the shrinking Aral Sea and discuss the environmental and social impacts.

Answer: The Aral Sea has shrunk primarily due to extensive water diversion for irrigation projects aimed at growing cotton in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. This has led to environmental degradation, loss of fisheries, increased salinity, and health problems among local populations due to dust storms containing salt and chemicals.

Question 2: Analyze how climate change could affect water supply in the UK, referencing recent droughts or water shortages.

Answer: Climate change may lead to increased frequency and severity of droughts in the UK, reducing river flows and groundwater recharge. Warmer temperatures can increase evaporation rates, further decreasing water availability. Recent droughts, such as those in 2018, highlight the vulnerability of UK water resources to climate variability, necessitating improved management and conservation strategies.

Question 1: Explain why urban areas like London face challenges in maintaining sustainable water supplies.

Answer: Urban areas like London face challenges due to high population density increasing demand, aging infrastructure leading to leaks, pollution contaminating water sources, and climate change causing irregular rainfall patterns that affect water availability.

Question 2: Analyse the main environmental impacts of excessive groundwater extraction in the UK.

Answer: Excessive groundwater extraction can lead to land subsidence, reduced water quality, loss of wetlands dependent on groundwater, and decreased flow to rivers, which affects ecosystems and biodiversity.

Question 3: Explain how water pollution impacts water supply and public health.

Answer: Water pollution contaminates water sources, making them unsafe for consumption, leading to waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery. It also requires costly treatment and can reduce the availability of clean water for domestic and industrial use.

Question 1: To what extent are desalination plants a sustainable solution to water shortages in arid regions like the Middle East?

Answer: Desalination provides a reliable source of freshwater in arid regions, reducing dependency on limited groundwater and surface water. However, it is energy-intensive, costly, and can have environmental impacts such as marine ecosystem disruption due to brine disposal. While effective in the short term, sustainable management requires combining desalination with conservation, efficient usage, and renewable energy sources to minimize environmental impacts.