Is There a Future?, by Josefina (Y5) - Articles - Your Texts - Your Stuff!

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December Writing by Josefina (Y5CAL, 2013-14)

Task: An article for a scientific magazine, in 200 words

Is There a Future? Groundwater Contamination in Southeast Spain (Almería)

Groundwater is an important resource, but difficult to manage due to its sensitivity to pollution and overexploitation.

Groundwater circulates through cavities and galleries. However, it can be found occupying the pores and cracks of the soil, which contain it like a sponge.

In Almería (in the southeast of Spain), water consuming activities have been done at the expense of aquifers, whose recharge is slow. This has had some negative consequences like the drying of springs, wetlands and saltwater intrusion in the coastal aquifers.

Groundwater contamination is difficult to purify because of its inaccessibility. In local areas, contamination can be repaired by pumping the water, giving it some chemical treatment and then injecting it back into the aquifer. Nitrate poisoning is dangerous for children. At high levels it may limit the ability of blood to carry oxygen, causing suffocation in infants. The overuse of aquifers has been producing a negative effect on the quantity and quality of the water  for many years, especially in Almería.

To solve these problems, the best thing is to conduct awareness campaigns and take the necessary measures to prevent water pollution, so the affected areas could be developed in the future.