It is predicted that clean water will one day be more valuable ✓ Solved

Do you think this is plausible? Why or why not? Summarize some of the threats to clean water. Contrast this to your local water source. Do you know the source of your drinking water (local river, aquifer, or reservoir?). What are possible contaminates where you live?

Question 2: Why are flash floods common in arid climates?

Question 3: Briefly describe at least six depositional features created by glaciers.

Question 4: Why is wind erosion more effective in deserts than in more humid regions?

Question 5: Briefly describe the formation of a natural levee.

Question 6: Describe the evolution of an erosional floodplain from a mountain stream. Explain the processes that take place to change the landscape. Your response should be at least 200 words in length.

Paper For Above Instructions

The prediction that clean water will one day be more valuable than oil is indeed plausible, especially considering the growing global population and increasing pollution. Currently, many regions face severe water scarcity, which threatens sanitary conditions, health, and food production (Postel, 2000). The degradation of freshwater resources is driven by industrial pollutants, agricultural runoff, and climate change, making clean water an increasingly valuable commodity.

In my locality, the main source of drinking water is from a combination of reservoirs and underground aquifers. Although these sources are generally reliable, they face threats from potential contaminants such as heavy metals, agricultural chemicals, and microorganisms, which can compromise their quality (UNESCO, 2017). The juxtaposition of these local features highlights the dire need for sustainable water management practices that prevent pollution and ensure equitable access to clean water for all (Gleick, 2003).

Flash floods are indeed common in arid climates due to the combination of sparse vegetation, which fails to absorb rainfall, and the rapid runoff that occurs during sudden rainstorms (Smith, 1996). As such, when rains do occur, the water flows rapidly over the landscape, creating conditions that are ideal for flash flooding. The hard, dry ground in these areas also minimizes infiltration, contributing further to surface runoff.

Moving on to glaciations, glaciers create several depositional features through their movement and melting process. Six key features include:

  • Moraines: Accumulations of debris at the edges or terminus of a glacier.

  • Drumlins: Streamlined hills formed beneath glaciers.

  • Eskers: Long, winding ridges formed by sediment deposits in glacier meltwater streams.

  • Kames: Small mounds of sediment deposited by melting glaciers.

  • Outwash plains: Flat areas formed by meltwater flowing from glaciers, carrying and depositing sediment.

  • Till plains: Expanses of unsorted material deposited directly by glacier movement.

Wind erosion is more effective in deserts than in more humid regions due to several factors. First, deserts have limited vegetation, which typically stabilizes soil and reduces wind velocity at the surface (Pye, 1995). Second, the fine, loose materials that characterize desert landscapes are readily lifted and transported by wind, leading to significant erosion and the formation of unique features like dunes (Wasson & Nias, 1988).

Natural levees form as a result of sediment deposition during flood events. As rivers overflow their banks, they deposit heavier sediment close to the river’s edge while finer materials are carried further away. Over time, repeated flooding creates elevated banks that form natural levees, enhancing the risk of floods but also potentially supporting ecosystems (Norris et al., 2017).

The evolution of an erosional floodplain from a mountain stream is a dynamic process. Initially, mountain streams cut into their beds, creating V-shaped valleys. As streams meander over time, they erode the banks and deposit sediments downstream, gradually broadening the floodplain (Leopold et al., 1964). The interplay of erosion and sedimentation creates a diverse landscape, characterized by landforms like oxbow lakes and natural levees. Factors leading to this changing landscape include water velocity, sediment load, and human interventions in the surrounding watershed (Knighton, 1998).

In conclusion, addressing the critical issues surrounding freshwater availability, understanding the processes of erosion and deposition, and recognizing the effectiveness of various erosion agents are fundamental to managing our water resources sustainably and comprehensively.

References

  • Gleick, P. H. (2003). Global freshwater resources: Soft-path solutions for the 21st century. Science, 302(5650), 1524-1528.

  • Knighton, D. (1998). Fluvial Forms and Processes. W.H. Freeman.

  • Leopold, L.B., Wolman, M.G., & Miller, J.P. (1964). Fluvial Processes in Geomorphology. W.H. Freeman.

  • Norris, R.D., & Rohling, E.J. (2017). The role of levees in shaping riverine ecosystems. Freshwater Biology, 62(9), 1453-1467.

  • Pye, K. (1995). Geomorphology and Sedimentology of Desert Dunes. Routledge.

  • Postel, S. (2000). The Last Oasis: Facing Water Scarcity. W.W. Norton & Company.

  • Smith, K. (1996). Floods: A Geographical Perspective. Routledge.

  • UNESCO. (2017). Groundwater Resources of the World. Paris, France.

  • Wasson, R.J., & Nias, I. (1988). The Erosion of Dust and Dune Formation in Arid Lands. Geomorphology, 5(4), 337-346.

  • United Nations. (2018). Water: A Global Assessment. United Nations.