6.1 Name THREE problems associated with irrigation in South Africa - NSC Agricultural Technology - Question 6 - 2016 - Paper 1
Question 6
6.1 Name THREE problems associated with irrigation in South Africa.
6.2 The photograph below shows a typical centre-pivot irrigation system.
6.2.1 Describe the cons... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:6.1 Name THREE problems associated with irrigation in South Africa - NSC Agricultural Technology - Question 6 - 2016 - Paper 1
Step 1
Name THREE problems associated with irrigation in South Africa.
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Competition for surface water rights which often leads to disputes among farmers.
Depletion of underground aquifers due to excessive extraction of water for irrigation.
Ground subsidence caused by the over-extraction of water can affect land usage.
Step 2
Describe the construction of the centre-pivot irrigation system.
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The centre-pivot irrigation system consists of several segments of pipes, usually made of galvanized steel or aluminum, which are joined together. The structure is supported by towers that allow movement across a circular area. Sprinklers are positioned along the length of the pipes to evenly distribute water, and wheels driven by electric motors facilitate rotation.
Step 3
State the function of a smart controller in the working of a centre-pivot irrigation system.
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The smart controller acts as a brain for the irrigation system, capable of adjusting the watering time based on real-time environmental conditions such as soil moisture levels and weather forecasts.
Step 4
Name TWO sources from where the smart controller gets its data.
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Soil moisture sensors that gauge the water content in the soil.
Weather stations that provide data on rainfall and temperature.
Step 5
State TWO disadvantages of the use of large centre-pivot irrigation systems.
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Large centre pivots cannot effectively operate on uneven terrain.
Water delivery at the field's edge may be insufficient, causing excess runoff.
Step 6
Give a reason why most centre-pivot irrigation systems have drop pipes with sprinkler heads that are placed a few centimetres above the crop.
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This design helps to limit evaporation as the water is delivered closer to the crops, reducing the amount of water lost to the atmosphere.
Step 7
Briefly explain how a home fire suppression sprayer system works.
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The sprinkler head is installed on the ceiling with its top facing downwards. When a fire occurs, a heat-sensitive bulb in the sprinkler head breaks, allowing water to flow from the connected pipes and extinguish the flames.
Step 8
What is the name of the micro-organism that breaks down the raw sewerage in a septic tank?
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The micro-organism responsible for this process is bacteria.
Step 9
Explain why the inlet pipe of a septic tank ends in a T-fitting or baffle.
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The T-fitting or baffle prevents the flow of solids from one chamber to another, allowing the solids to settle while promoting proper flow of liquid waste.
Step 10
Discuss THREE aspects to keep in mind with the maintenance of a septic tank.
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Regular pumping of the tank is necessary to remove built-up solids.
Heavy flows of water should be monitored as they can overwhelm the system.
Avoid using a garbage disposal unit, as it increases the waste load on the septic system.
Step 11
Briefly explain the construction of a French drain system.
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A French drain consists of a trench filled with fine gravel containing a perforated pipe to allow water to flow away from the building's foundation, effectively preventing water buildup and flooding.
Step 12
Describe the working of the water purification system above.
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The system uses filter cartridges to purify the incoming water. The first two filters remove particulates as small as 0.2 microns, and the third filter utilizes activated carbon to reduce contaminants further, ensuring clean water supply to the household.
Step 13
Calculate the time that it will take to fill a tank with water if the capacity of the water purification system is 50 liters per minute and the capacity of the tank is 10 000 litres. Show ALL calculations.
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To find the time, use the formula:
ext{Time} = rac{ ext{Content}}{ ext{Flow rate}}
Where:
Content = 10,000 liters
Flow rate = 50 minutes/liters
Calculating:
ext{Time} = rac{10,000}{50} = 200 ext{ minutes} ext{ or } 3 ext{ hours and } 20 ext{ minutes}.
Step 14
Describe how data integration through a geographical information system (GIS) works on a combine harvester.
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GIS technology on a combine harvester collects data on crop yield and soil conditions as it moves through the field. Yield monitors record data at regular intervals based on GPS input, enabling farmers to analyze field performance and make informed decisions about resource allocation and management.