Fresh & Saltwater systems study guide

Evaporation

Vaporization that occurs slowly over a wide range of temperatures.

Condensation

Process of changing from gas to liquid.

Precipitation

Water (liquid or solid state) that falls to Earth; rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc.

Ground Water

Water that has seeped down under Earth's surface to depth of about 100m.

Run

off - Rainwater that flows off a land surface.

What is meant by the term Freshwater

Water that's drinkable & is potable. Doesn't contain salt!

Where do we find freshwater on Earth

In ground water, glaciers, rivers, lakes, & ponds.

How much of the Earth's water is considered Freshwater

3% / 2.8%

How deep was the Antarctic Glacier in the year 2000

around 6.5 meters.

In what year was the Antarctic glacier the deepest

In 1996.

How much higher was the sea level in 1940 than in 1880

Around 80 mm.

Based on this data suggest one reason why ocean levels are increasing

Because the Antarctic glacier is melting perhaps due to global warming.

What is meltwater

What that has melted from glaciers.

What is acid rain

Rain with pH level of less than 5.6

How is it formed

Formed when products of combustion including sulphur dioxide & nitrogen oxide combine w/ water in atmosphere. When rain falls, we call it acid rain.

Explain how acid rain can be created far from the source of the pollution

Combustion of anything will release sulphur dioxide & nitrogen oxide into air. Wind will blow these gases long distances before they are combined w/ water in atmosphere. Result is rain landing far away from where pollution was created.

What was the approximate Carbon dioxide level in 1975

Approximately 330 ppmv.

When did the Carbon dioxide level first hit 300 p.p.m.

Around 1975.

Describe in general what is happening in this graph

The Carbon dioxide is increasing by the year.

Suggest one reason why this trend is occurring

Carbon dioxide is released when fossil fuels are burned. As world burns more fossil fuels, carbon dioxide levels go up.

What is a water shed

An area of land that drains into a body of water. Usually an ocean.

What are the 5 main watersheds in North America

1) Pacific Ocean, 2) Atlantic Ocean, 3) Arctic ocean, 4) Hudson Bay, 5) Gulf of Mexico

Create a list of adaptations aquatic organisms possess to survive in the water

Gills, Suction cups, Small size to float on water, Big muscle, Stomata on top of leave, H

Water Quantity Definition

Amount of water.

Water Quality Definition

Characteristics of a water resource that make it suitable or unsuitable for various uses.

What is an algal Bloom

Rapid, uncontrolled overgrowth of microscopic algae; usually caused by excessive nutrients (ex. from fertilizer). slimy green, red, or brown.

What causes an algal bloom

Excess nutrients that enter a pond "feed" the algae & cause their population to "explode".

Why do ponds/lakes die when algal blooms occur

Oxygen levels drop very low. But algae require oxygen, & fish cannot breathe then.

What are Bioindicator species

Sensitive or important species whose numbers can show the health of an ecosystem.

Ted found leeches and crayfish living in the water. What should he conclude about the water

Water is slightly polluted.

How would you use a Bioindicator species to tell the health of an ecosystem

If species is present (species can only live in clean water) ecosystem would be clean & if species disappears area would be polluted.

What is bioaccumulation

Starts with small organism, eat small amount of toxin, organism feed on them amount of toxin increase higher levels of food chain increases.

What are ocean currents

Continuous, directed rivers of water moving through ocean. Primarily by wind. Carry warm water to surface from equator to the poles.

Explain why European countries like Great Britain generally stay warmer than areas like Quebec

They stay warmer because currents carry warm water near their coasts & this warm water releases its heat keeping the area warm.