ADVERTISEMENT
Saturday, January 28, 2023
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
Involve Africa
  • Home
  • All African News
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Entertainment News
    • Travel
    • Tourism
    • Arts
  • Finance
    • Food & Agriculture
    • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All African News
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Entertainment News
    • Travel
    • Tourism
    • Arts
  • Finance
    • Food & Agriculture
    • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment
No Result
View All Result
Involve Africa
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Home Energy & Environment

eight unconventional resources to tap

Involve Africa by Involve Africa
June 2, 2022
in Energy & Environment
0
eight unconventional resources to tap
585
SHARES
3.2k
VIEWS
https://web.facebook.com/involveafricanews?_rdc=1&https://twitter.com/involveafricanews


As climate change worsens, and with populations rising worldwide, water shortages are a top threat to human development and security.

One in four people on Earth face shortages of water for drinking, sanitation, agriculture and economic development. Water scarcity is expected to intensify in regions like the Middle East and North Africa region, which has 6% of the global population but only 1% of the world’s freshwater resources.

Conventional water sources – which rely on snowfall, rainfall and rivers – are not enough to meet growing freshwater demand in water-scarce areas.

Fortunately Earth has other sources of water: millions of cubic kilometres of water in aquifers, in fog and icebergs, in the ballast holds of thousands of ships, and elsewhere.

Our book, Unconventional Water Resources, based on the most up to date information, identifies eight broad categories of unconventional water sources.

Unconventional water sources

Cloud seeding and fog collectors

The atmosphere contains an estimated 13,000 km³ of water vapour. Annual global freshwater demand today is roughly 4,600 km³.

Some of the atmosphere’s water vapour can be captured through cloud seeding – sowing clouds with small particles of commonly used silver iodide to make them rain or snow – and the collection of water from fog and mist.

Cloud seeding can enhance rainfall by up to 15% under the right conditions. Direct delivery of seeding material to the clouds using aircraft and rockets gets the highest yield.

Fog harvesting is already happening in parts of the world. Remote communities in Chile, Morocco and South Africa have used vertical mesh nets to harvest fog for over 100 years. Viable sites are typically open locations with a fairly high elevation, exposed to wind flow.

Advancements in materials and local knowledge have helped develop designs that are efficient in water collection. At times more than 20 litres can be collected on a dense fog day for every square metre of mesh. Average cost per litre can be less than one US cent.

Desalination

Desalination – removing salt from seawater – contributes over 100 million cubic metres of water a day, supporting about 5% of the world’s population. Almost half (48%) of the global desalination capacity is located in the Middle East and North Africa region.

New developments in desalination will likely make it the lowest-cost unconventional water supply resource worldwide. Innovative technologies are reducing energy inputs by 20% to 35%.

Desalination produces enormous quantities of brine, a pollutant of concern. But extracting salts from brine to yield commercially viable products could offset the cost of desalinated water production in the next decade.

Reusing water

Advanced treatment systems can convert wastewater into potable water. Treated wastewater provides 25% of the potable water supply of Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, for example.

Today around 70% of municipal wastewater in high-income countries is treated, but only 8% in low-income countries. The annual volume of untreated municipal wastewater in low-income countries globally is estimated at just 171 km³. This is because water use per capita in the municipal sector is low. Sub-Saharan Africa produces the lowest annual amounts of wastewater per capita (46m³); North America produces almost five times more.

Acceptance of reused wastewater by people and policymakers remains a challenge.

Agricultural drainage water

Irrigation generally results in two types of drainage water: water on the surface, and water that seeps into the earth. Surface runoff can be collected and used again to grow food. Salinity of drainage water is higher, but salt-tolerant crops and new varieties can meet this challenge.

Brackish groundwater offshore

There are vast quantities of water (an estimated 300,000-500,000 km³) in aquifers off the shores of continents around the world. These aquifers (bodies of permeable rocks that hold groundwater) were created millions of years ago when sea levels were much lower. They are at shallow depths and less than 100km from shore.

Today new marine electromagnetic exploration methods provide detailed images of offshore freshwater. Horizontal drilling technologies make it possible to pump the water to shore.

To date, no offshore freshwater resources have been developed. The technology is still quite new and exploiting the resource would be expensive. It would also need to be combined with desalination.

Inland brackish groundwater

Deep inland aquifers with brackish or salty water exist in volumes estimated to total millions of cubic kilometres. Some countries, like Israel and Spain, already tap into them. It’s expensive, but there are ways to reduce high costs, such as reusing the salt recovered. And farmers can benefit from desalination technologies by switching to high value crops.

Micro-scale capture of rainwater

In dry environments over 90% of rainwater is typically lost to evaporation and surface runoff. Micro-catchment rainwater harvesting is an ancient practice designed to trap and collect water from a relatively small catchment area, usually 10-500m². It employs a wide range of techniques, from rooftop and cistern collection to farm and landscape systems including contour ridges, bunds, small runoff basins and strips.

Move water physically to water-scarce areas

Ships transport around 90% of the goods traded worldwide and discharge some 10 billion tons of ballast water (10km³) every year. Ballast water is fresh or saltwater held in the ship to provide stability and manoeuvrability during a voyage.

Under international convention, all ships of 400 gross tonnage and above must have onboard treatment options to desalinate ballast water, remove invasive aquatic organisms and unhealthy chemical compounds, and make it usable for other economic activities such as irrigation.

This water could be sold to port cities in arid regions.

Another water source that can be physically moved to water-scarce areas is ice. The more than 100,000 Arctic and Antarctic icebergs that melt into the ocean each year contain more freshwater than the world consumes.

A financial feasibility analysis of towing icebergs to Cape Town, South Africa suggests it is an economically attractive option if the icebergs to be towed are big enough: at least 125 million tons. Wrapping icebergs in a net and then a mega-bag would likely prevent breakup and reduce melting, studies suggest.

Increasing water scarcity is a major cause of conflict, social unrest and migration. Water is also being seen as an instrument for international cooperation to achieve sustainable development. It’s vital to tap into every available option.



Source_link

You might also like

Climate change is threatening Madagascar’s famous forests – our study shows how serious it is

Wilhelmshaven freight service launched – Railway Technology

Air Liquide and Sasol sign first long-term contract for the supply of renewable energy to the Secunda site

Previous Post

why the mini-series on Netflix sets a new pace for Nollywood

Next Post

EPCR confirms inclusion of South African clubs

Involve Africa

Involve Africa

Related Posts

Climate change is threatening Madagascar’s famous forests – our study shows how serious it is
Energy & Environment

Climate change is threatening Madagascar’s famous forests – our study shows how serious it is

by Involve Africa
January 27, 2023
Wilhelmshaven freight service launched – Railway Technology
Energy & Environment

Wilhelmshaven freight service launched – Railway Technology

by Involve Africa
January 27, 2023
Air Liquide and Sasol sign first long-term contract for the supply of renewable energy to the Secunda site
Energy & Environment

Air Liquide and Sasol sign first long-term contract for the supply of renewable energy to the Secunda site

by Involve Africa
January 26, 2023
Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen Announces United States (U.S.)-South Africa Task Force to Combat the Financing of Wildlife Trafficking
Energy & Environment

Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen Announces United States (U.S.)-South Africa Task Force to Combat the Financing of Wildlife Trafficking

by Involve Africa
January 26, 2023
Climate change: Africa has a major new carbon market initiative
Energy & Environment

Climate change: Africa has a major new carbon market initiative

by Involve Africa
January 25, 2023
Next Post
EPCR confirms inclusion of South African clubs

EPCR confirms inclusion of South African clubs

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

Ripple CEO Confident Over SEC Case Resolution This Year

Ripple CEO Confident Over SEC Case Resolution This Year

January 19, 2023
Machala Way: Excitement As Wizkid Is Set to Perform His Next Album Live on Apple Music, Shares Details

Machala Way: Excitement As Wizkid Is Set to Perform His Next Album Live on Apple Music, Shares Details

September 22, 2022

Categories

  • All African News
  • Arts
  • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment
  • Entertainment News
  • Finance
  • Food & Agriculture
  • News Videos
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Travel

Don't miss it

Dakar 2 Summit: Development partners to commit $30 billion to boost food production in Africa | African Development Bank
All African News

Dakar 2 Summit: Development partners to commit $30 billion to boost food production in Africa | African Development Bank

January 28, 2023
5 awesome game lodges near Gauteng
Tourism

5 awesome game lodges near Gauteng

January 28, 2023
No Insurance? Here’s How To Get Cheap or Free Eye Exam and Prescription Glasses
Finance

No Insurance? Here’s How To Get Cheap or Free Eye Exam and Prescription Glasses

January 28, 2023
Astar launches new HRMP channels with Equilibrium
Crypto News

Astar launches new HRMP channels with Equilibrium

January 28, 2023
Photos from Everything We Know About Ted Lasso Season 3
Entertainment News

Photos from Everything We Know About Ted Lasso Season 3

January 28, 2023
14 Very Best Places In Provence To Visit – Hand Luggage Only
Travel

14 Very Best Places In Provence To Visit – Hand Luggage Only

January 27, 2023

Social Bar

Welcome to involve Africa The goal of involve Africa is to give you the absolute best news sources for any topic! Our topics are carefully curated and constantly updated as we know the web moves fast so we try to as well.

Categories

  • All African News
  • Arts
  • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment
  • Entertainment News
  • Finance
  • Food & Agriculture
  • News Videos
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Travel

Site Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Recent News

Dakar 2 Summit: Development partners to commit $30 billion to boost food production in Africa | African Development Bank

Dakar 2 Summit: Development partners to commit $30 billion to boost food production in Africa | African Development Bank

January 28, 2023
5 awesome game lodges near Gauteng

5 awesome game lodges near Gauteng

January 28, 2023

INVOLVEAFRICA.COM

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All African News
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Entertainment News
    • Travel
    • Tourism
    • Arts
  • Finance
    • Food & Agriculture
    • Business & Economy
  • Crypto News
  • Energy & Environment

INVOLVEAFRICA.COM

What Are Cookies
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT