EQ: How does water pollution
impact irrigation, trade,
industry and drinking water?
Today I will learn about
environmental issues such as water
pollution and unequal water
distribution in Africa because it
impacts irrigation, trade, industry and
drinking water.
Standards
The student will discuss environmental issues across
the continent of Africa.
• Element: SS7G2.a
Explain how water pollution and the unequal distribution of
water impacts irrigation, trade, industry, and drinking water.
• Element: SS7G2.b
Explain the relationship between poor soil and deforestation in
Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Element: SS7G2.c
Explain the impact of desertification on the environment of
Africa from the Sahel to the rainforest.
Warm-up
12/14/10
1. What is one of the major problems facing those who
depend on the Nile River for their water?
a.
b.
c.
d.
The Nile River no longer has any fish.
The Nile is too shallow to be used for transportation.
The river always dries up during the summer months.
The water is contaminated with human and industrial
waste.
2. What is silt?
a.
b.
c.
d.
A type of chemical fertilizer
A chemical used to produce electricity
Industrial pollution found in the Nile
Rich topsoil carried from one location to another by
floodwaters
Activator
At your table, equally distribute the clean and
polluted water by pouring a small amount on
each person’s plate. Once done, answer and
discuss the following questions:
1. Was it easier to distribute the clean water
and why?
2. How did you feel when you added the
polluted water to your clean supply?
Work Session
1. First, create a KWL graphic organizer on your notebook paper. Fill in
what you already know on water pollution and the unequal distribution
of water and how it connects to irrigation, trade, industry, and drinking
water.
2. Then, complete what you would like to learn about the connection
between these concepts and how they relate to Africa.
3. Once we have completed our Cornell notes over these concepts, fill in
what you learned.
K- What I know
already
1.
2.
3.
W- What I want to
know
L- What I learned
CORNELL NOTES
Notes from
Power Point
Main Topic
EQ answer-Closing
Environmental Issues
• Africans face the following environmental issues:
– Lack of water
– Poor soil quality
– Expanding deserts
• These issues are caused by:
– Increasing pollution from factories
– Animal and human waste
– Poor harvests
Scarcity of clean water
• Most countries do not have enough clean water even
though they have large rivers.
• The Nile River runs through Egypt and most of the
population lives along it.
• It is used for transportation and water.
• Overpopulation and poor sanitation is quickly
polluting the Nile causing clean water to be scarce.
Aswan High Dam
• This structure is found in Egypt.
• Allows Egypt to have year-round irrigation.
• It also helps generate electricity.
• Silt no longer enriches the soil because annual
flooding is controlled by the dam.
• Irrigation is now used and requires that farmers use
chemical fertilizers.
Rivers
• The Niger River provides a transportation route
for people living in the Sahel.
• The Congo River is a great source of irrigation and
a transportation route for people from the
interior of Africa to the Indian Ocean.
• The Nile River runs through Ethiopia, Sudan, and
Egypt.
• Many countries have to share one water source
causing competition among countries.
Closing – Exit Ticket
Based on the notes taken today over water
pollution and the unequal distribution of water,
answer the following question:
– The lack of clean abundant water in many
countries south of the Sahara in Africa has
what economic effect? Explain your
reasoning.