How Much of the Earth’s Water Is Suitable for Drinking Water?

LESSON 4.5 QUESTIONS

1. How much of the earth’s water is suitable for drinking water?

1%

• Of the 1% of fresh water available to us, much of this water lies in Canada, Brazil and Russia!

1. What is desalination of water? How UAE gets its potable water?

Desalination is the removal of salt and other minerals from saline water to make it fresh for human consumption and irrigation.

From desalination

1. Why is water desalination a threat to the biodiversity or why water desalination leads to loss of biodiversity?

- The disposal of brine causes a major problem to the biodiversity

- Loss of marine plants and animals.

1. What is the major difference between desalination and green desalination

Desalination: uses fossil fuel

Green desalination: uses renewable energy such as solar energy

1. List three ways by which water can be used sustainably in your daily lives.

Recycle water

Use drip irrigation

Fix water leaks

1. Which the major energy source in the world?

Fossil fuel, like: oil coal and natural gas 

1. Why harnessing solar energy is difficult on windy days in the UAE? 

On a windy day the dust and stand stops the suns rays hitting the panels and so it’s not efficient

In the UAE, dust and sand in the atmosphere prevent the sun’s rays from hitting the panels efficiently and the high temperatures can reduce performance.

1. Why solar power plants a threat to biodiversity?

Solar cells contain toxic material that needs to be disposed safely when the cells wear out.

Large areas of land are needed that could disrupt desert areas (biodiversity loss in the UAE)

1. List any two advantages and two disadvantages of nuclear energy.

• Advantages

• Less dependence on fossil fuels.
• CO2 emissions are minimal.
• Nuclear fission produces roughly a million times more energy per unit weight than fossil fuel alternatives.

• Disadvantages

• Expensive to build.
• Storage of radioactive waste.
• Risk of major accidents (i.e. Chernobyl and Fukushima).

1. List three ways by which energy can be used sustainably in your daily lives.

• Use energy efficient bulbs
• Use energy efficient vehicles like hybrid cars
• Insulate buildings and plug the leaks
• Use energy efficient windows
• Use roof mounted solar water heaters and solar panels