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7 th Grade CRCT Resource Chapter 14. Southwest Asia (Middle East) Geographical Understandings. GPS Standard. SS7G6 The student will discuss environmental issues across Southwest Asia (Middle East).
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7th Grade CRCT Resource Chapter 14 Southwest Asia (Middle East) Geographical Understandings
GPS Standard • SS7G6 The student will discuss environmental issues across Southwest Asia (Middle East). • a. Explain how water pollution and the unequal distribution of water impacts irrigation and drinking water.
Fresh Water- A Shrinking Supply • Fresh water is a precious resource in the Middle East. • About 5% of the world’s population lives there but less than 1% of the world’s fresh water is available to them. • Water shortages, unequal water distribution and pollution decrease the water available for drinking & irrigation.
Unhappy Iraqis, Thirsty Israelites • Water needs continually cause conflicts between Middle Eastern countries. • Who owns the water? • Who should be allowed to divert water for irrigation? • There are no enforceable rules to govern the use of international water.
Word Definitions • Aquifer: underground layer of rock & sand that contains water • Ground water: water below the surface that supplies wells & springs • Water rights: laws that determine who can use water in a region and how they can use it
Water Problems Facing the Middle East Drought—an extended period of time with little or no rain
Turkey • In the highlands of Turkey, snow melts & forms the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers. • Turkey is better off than its neighbors because of these rivers. • Pollution from industries & agriculture is a growing problem. • Pollution also comes from oil spills in the Black Sea.
Turkey, Syria, Iraq • Turkey built dams along the Euphrates for hydroelectric power & irrigation, reducing the amount of water reaching Syria. • Syria built a dam reducing water into Iraq. • In 1975, Syria & Iraq came close to war over water issues! • Iraq faces polluted water from industry & war damage to water treatment facilities and petroleum drilling equipment.
Israel • Water consumption is up but rainfall is down, leading Israel to draw water from its aquifers. • More water is being removed from the aquifers than is being replenished by rain. • Salt water is entering the aquifers. • Israel has been involved in military battles over water rights to the Jordan River.
Iran • Iran is depleting the water in its aquifers for irrigation & drinking. • The important pistachio crop is being hurt by water shortages in the south.
Afghanistan • Afghanistan’s shrinking water supply has been contaminated by open sewers, failed septic systems, fertilizers & pesticides.
Saudi Arabia • Saudi Arabia faces severe problems in its desert climate, including water scarcity & poor quality ground water from saltwater intrusion. • One solution is desalination, the process of removing salt from seawater & using it for drinking water. • About 30 desalination plants provide most of the country’s drinking water.
Quick Quiz: match the country with the correct water issue. • Afghanistan • Iraq • Turkey • Israel • Saudi Arabia • Iran • Less water to irrigate pistachio trees • Battles over water rights to the Jordan River • Harsh climate has led to desalination of seawater • Oil spills from ships pollute the Black Sea • War has damaged water treatment facilities • Open sewers, failed septic systems
GPS Standard • SS7G6 The student will discuss environmental issues across Southwest Asia (Middle East). • a. Explain how water pollution and the unequal distribution of water impacts irrigation and drinking water.
Ticket out the door:Use the following words correctly in a sentence. Underline the word. • irrigation • fertile • aquifer • groundwater • drought • dams • water rights • desalination