GMS 695 Chapter 6: Fresh Water in the ME
21 Jan 2018
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Background: fresh water compromises about 2. 5% of world"s water. Two thirds is stored in ice caps and glaciers. The remaining portions are found as deep groundwater (30%), or in the surface water (rivers, lakes, and shallow groundwater). Population pressures in many developing countries, with insuf cient water for drinking, washing, sanitation, and agriculture, leads to mass migration and hardships: more ef cient use of fresh water would increase agricultural production, especially in developing countries. Drinking or using such water in food preparation leads to widespread acute and chronic illnesses and is a major cause of death and misery in many countries. Water in the middle east: the middle east is basically a desert. An area with an annual rainfall of fewer than 25 cm generally quali es as a desert: millions of people depend on fresh water from three major rivers.
