Fresh waters of EuropeFresh waters of Europe
Origin and formation of waters
The hydrosphere
originates from the bowels of the earth through the volcanic gorges. It is close related to the processes in the atmosphere.
Types of fresh waters in Europe
Surface waters Ground waters
artesian
karsts
mineral
rivers lakes
Ground waters
● Artesian - waters between two waterproof layers
● Mineral- water naturally impregnated with mineral salts or gasses
● Karsts – underground waters reach of CaCO³
Rivers
RiversEurope’s three largest rivers, the Volga (1),
the Danube (2) and the Dnepr (3), drain one quarter of the continent.
However, they are relatively small by world standards; their catchments ranking 14th, 29th and 48th, respectively.
Natural lakes
L ake s are u su ally b od ie s of stan d in g fre sh w ate r, th ou g h th ey m ay a lso slig h tly sa lty . Th e y are ch arac te rised b y: -p h ysic a l featu res of th e lake b asin, su ch as lake are a an d w ate r d ep th-th e ch arac te rist ic s of th e catch m en t are a, su ch as size an d top og rap h y.
Types of lakes
in Europeaccording their origin
endogen exogenic
tectonic volcanic coastal oxbow glacial karsts
Albano
Lakes in Europe
M o r e than 5 0 0 0 0 0 natur al l ake s l arg er than 0 .0 1 km2 (1 ha) i n E ur o pe . Thr e e quar te r s o f the l ake s - l oc ate d i n N o r w ay, Sw e de n, F i nl and andthe K ar e l o -Ko l a par t o f R ussi a.
2 4 E ur o pe an l ake s l arg er than 4 0 0 km 2 . The l arg est , L ake L ado g a (1 ) , R ussi a The seco nd l arg est l ake i n E ur o pe , L ake O ne g a (2 ).
1 9 natur al l ake s l arg er than 4 0 0 km 2 i n Sw e de n, F i nl and, E sto ni a andthe no r th-w ester n par t o f R us si a 3 i n ce ntr al E ur o pe L ake B al ato n (1 9 ) ,
B o de nse e /L ake C o nstanc e (2 1 ).
Lakes and resevoirs in Europe
Reservoirs and dams
/ human-made lakes/
Dam “Ogosta”-Montana, Bulgaria
Reservoirs and dams to ta l E uro pe a n re se rvo ir s urfa c e - m o re tha n 1 0 0 0 0 0k m 2 ; 5 0 % o f w hic h lie s in the E uro pe a n pa rt o f R us s ia . T he s ix la rg e s t re s e rvo irs a re lo c a te d in the V o lg a rive rs ys te m in R us s ia . T he m e m be r s ta te w ith the la rg e s t n u m be r o f re s e rvo irsis S pa in (a pp ro x. 1 2 0 0 ), T urk e y (a pp ro x. 6 1 0 ), N o rw a y (a p pro x. 3 6 4 ) the U K (a ppro x. 5 7 0 ). Ita ly (a ppro x. 5 7 0 ), F ra nc e (a ppro x. 5 5 0 ) B ulg a ria (a pp ro x.2 0 0 0 -b ig a nd s m a ll)
Water abstraction
a p pr o x im a te ly 10 % o f E ur o pe ’s to ta l fr e sh w a te rre so ur ce is ab str ac te d an n u a lly .to e n sur e w ater su p p ly m a n y cou n tr ie s h a ve b u iltre ser vo ir s. S p a in , T u r ke y a n d R o m a n ia - are ab le to store m o r eth a n 4 0 % C y pr u s, B ulgar ia , U kr a ine , Sw e de n an d the C ze c hR e p u b lic - h ig h stor age capac itie s.
Water use by sectors
4 4 % o f to ta l w a te r a b str ac tio n in E ur o pe is u se d fo ra gr ic ultur e , 4 0 % fo r in d u str y a n d e nerg y pr o d uc tio n (c oo ling in po w e rpla n ts)1 5 % fo r p u blic w a te r su p p ly . T h e m a in w a te r co n su m p tio n se c tor s are :
irr iga tio n , ur b a n ,m a n u fa c tur in g ind u str y .
First main problemWater scarcity and drought
Measures:●The use of economic instruments, such as water pricing and metering ●Water-reuse and recycling ●Increased efficiency of domestic, agricultural and industrial water use ●Water saving campaigns supported by public education programmes
Second main problemFloods
During the last five years in Europe - 100 major damaging floods
Since 2000, floods in Europe have caused:● at least 700 deaths,● the displacement of about half a million people ● at least 25 billion € in insured economic losses.
Third main problemPollution
Prevention Strategies ● The Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive
(91/271/EEC) ● The Nitrates Directive ● The Bathing Waters Directive (76/160/EEC &
2006/7/EC)● The Water Framework Directive (WFD;
2000/60/EC).
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