Diagram A: Soil erosion*

Here are the answers to your questions:

4.1

• Diagram A: Soil erosion
• Diagram B: Salinization

4.2

• Diagram A: Shows the physical removal of topsoil by water, often after heavy rainfall or floods, leading to a loss of fertile land.
• Diagram B: Depicts the accumulation of soluble salts on the soil surface, forming a crust, which inhibits plant growth and reduces soil productivity.

4.3 One negative impact of degradation in soils is the loss of soil fertility, which directly leads to reduced crop yields and decreased agricultural productivity.

5.1 One physical property of water mentioned in the passage is turbidity.

5.2 Turbidity is the measure of the relative clarity of a liquid. It is caused by suspended matter or impurities that are invisible to the naked eye, such as silt, clay, microorganisms, and other organic particles, making the water appear cloudy or hazy.

5.3 Three issues that affect the supply and quality of water in South Africa are:

• Water scarcity due to limited rainfall and high demand.
• Pollution from sources like pesticide concentration, industrial waste, and domestic sewage.
• The presence of pathogens in water, which can cause waterborne diseases.