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Catalyst: Managing groundwater for tomorrow

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Graphic image of a landscape cross-section showing groundwater basin below a city
Catalyst: Managing groundwater for tomorrow

SUBJECTS:  Science

YEARS:  7–8


Seventy percent of Perth's water comes from underground.

Imagine what would happen if that source of water dried up. It's a real possibility if the impact of the climate and human activity is not carefully managed.

Watch as scientists show what causes groundwater levels to fall and the effect that has on the Earth's ecosystems. Listen as those scientists talk about one idea to replenish falling groundwater supplies.


Things to think about

  1. 1.Where does the water supply to your house come from? What sort of events have an impact on a regular supply of water?
  2. 2.Where does groundwater originally come from? Watch the animation of water making its way into an aquifer. Why is the layer of sand important? Dr Rick Evans says that we have plenty of groundwater, but what is the issue with it? What are two threats to a regular supply of groundwater for human use? Dr Toze wants to test the process of 'managed aquifer recharge': what do they suggest is treated to create more groundwater?
  3. 3.When talking about the Earth's resources, what is the difference between finite/infinite and renewable/non-renewable? On a diagram of the water cycle draw where managed aquifer recharge fits in? If groundwater resources are not managed, what are the possible consequences?
  4. 4.Investigate groundwater aquifers in your area and try and find out who is drawing water from those aquifers? What sort of measures are used to maintain a regular water supply in your area?



Date of broadcast: 15 May 2007


Copyright

Metadata © Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Education Services Australia Ltd 2012 (except where otherwise indicated). Digital content © Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated). Video © Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated). All images copyright their respective owners. Text © Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Education Services Australia is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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