Problemi održivosti vodnih resursa na Europskom Sredozemlju

undergraduate thesis

• Title (english): The problems of sustainability of water resources in the European Mediterranean
• Author: Katarina Pavlek
• Mentor: Nenad Buzjak (mentor)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Science; (Department of Geography); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2016-09-16, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: INTERDISCIPLINARY AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE; Geography

Abstract

Održivost vodnih resursa na Sredozemlju ugrožena je stalnim povećanjem potražnje zbog porasta broja stanovnika i smanjenjem dostupnih resursa uslijed klimatskih promjena. Iako je Europsko Sredozemlje vodom puno bogatije od afričke ili azijske obale, određene regije, poput španjolske obale, Baleara i Malte, pate od nestašice vode. Velika varijabilnost padalina tijekom godine uzrokuje suše i niske vode tijekom ljeta, upravo u doba najveće potražnje. Najveći potrošač vode na Europskom Sredozemlju je intenzivna poljoprivreda. No, u većini najugroženijih područja najveći problem predstavlja stalan porast broja turista. Posljedice prekomjerne eksploatacije podzemnih voda su onečišćenje vode, salinizacija tla i isušivanje močvarnih područja. Strategije koje potiču održivo gospodarenje vodnim resursima uključuju primjenu novih tehnologija, poput recikliranja vode za potrebe industrije i poljoprivrede. Na taj način bi se smanjila velika potrošnja vode za navodnjavanje, koje je na području Sredozemlja ipak neizbježno. No, nezaustavljivi društveni pritisci i intenzitet klimatskih promjena odredit će koliko će ta rješenja biti uspješna.

Abstract (english)

The sustainability of water resources in the Mediterranean is threatened by the constant increase in demand due to population growth and a decrease in freshwater availability due to climate change. Unlike the African or Asian coast, water resources in the European Mediterranean are generally sufficient. But certain regions like the Spanish coast, the Balearic Islands and Malta, are suffering from water shortages. Great variability of precipitation during the year causes drought and low water in the summer, right at the time of peak demand. The largest consumer of water in the European Mediterranean is intensive agriculture. However, the biggest problem in the most vulnerable areas is the rising number of tourists. The consequences of over-exploitation of groundwater are water pollution, soil salinization and drainage of wetlands. Strategies that promote sustainable management of water resources include the use of new technologies, such as water recycling for usage in industry and agriculture. These strategies reduce the high consumption of water for irrigation, which is still inevitable in the Mediterranean region. Nevertheless, the unrestrainable social pressures and intensity of climate change will decide if these solutions can be successful.

• Keywords: vodni resursi; Europsko Sredozemlje; vodni stres; klimatske promjene; održivi razvoj
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:217:331078
• Study programme: Title: Geography; specializations in: Undergraduate University Study in Geography; Course: Undergraduate University Study in Geography; Study programme type: university; Study level: undergraduate; Academic / professional title: sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/prvostupnica (baccalaureus/baccalaurea) geografije (sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/prvostupnica (baccalaureus/baccalaurea) geografije)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Closed access
• Created on: 2018-01-16 12:34:43