nutrient cycles

Question 1

where is groundwater stored

Answer 1

aquifer

Question 2

name the processes where water is converted to vapor (2)

Answer 2

evaporation and transpiration

Question 3

two methods where water on land (in lakes and rivers) returns to the oceans

Answer 3

precipitation and percolation

Question 4

rain, sleet, and snow are examples of

Answer 4

precipitation

Question 5

If the air contains high levels of pollutants, what effect might this have on water quality?

Answer 5

the water quality would be bad

Question 6

Which process(es) of the water cycle—precipitation, evaporation, condensation, runoff,
percolation or transpiration—might contribute to the addition of pollutants to rivers, lakes, and
oceans? Why?

Answer 6

percolation be cause it goes through the ground where pollutants and fossil fuels are

Question 7

Which of the processes associated with the water cycle might be responsible for helping to clean
or filter the water?

Answer 7

percolation and transpiration

Question 8

The water cycle is a closed system, meaning no water enters from beyond the system nor leaves
the system. What does that say about the importance of keeping the water on Earth free from
pollution?

Answer 8

if the water is polluted at any time during the cycle, then the whole system would be contaminated

Question 9

Name two ways that carbon (usually in the form of CO2) enters the atmosphere.

Answer 9

respiration and combustion

Question 10

Because increased carbon in the atmosphere traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, what is the name of the process that is intensified?

Answer 10

greenhouse effect

Question 11

Which of the following does NOT contain significant amounts of carbon?

Answer 11

inorganic compounds

Question 12

What percent of nitrogen is found in Earth’s atmosphere?

Answer 12

78

Question 13

As plants and animals decompose they release nitrogen into the surrounding environment in the form of ammonium ions (NH4+). What is this process known as?

Answer 13

ammonification

Question 14

Which process converts nitrogen gas to nitrate ions that plants can absorb?

Answer 14

nitrogen fixation

Question 15

Which of the following is the correct order for the nitrogen cycle beginning with nitrogen gas?

Answer 15

nitrogen gas → ammonium → nitrite → nitrate

Question 16

Name three types of bacteria involved in the nitrogen cycle.

Answer 16

n-fixing bacteria, nitrites, nitrates

Question 17

In what ways is N2 gas removed from the atmosphere?

Answer 17

lightning or n-fixing bacteria

Question 18

By what process are animal wastes and dead organisms converted to other nitrogen-containing
compounds?

Answer 18

decomposition and ceamination

Question 19

What is an example of a water reservoir?

Answer 19

glacier and ocean

Question 20

What holds an element or water for a short period of time?

Answer 20

exchange pool

Question 21

Through transpiration, water is released back into the atmosphere through the plant’s __

Answer 21

stomata

Question 22

When water condenses in clouds, it changes state from ___ to ___

Answer 22

gas -> liquid

Question 23

When the water frozen in an Austrian glacier changes directly to water vapor, this process is called __________________.

Answer 23

sublimination

Question 24

Which of the following reservoirs holds the least water?

Answer 24

the atmosphere

Question 25

The process by which water vapor changes to tiny droplets of liquid water is called _____.

Answer 25

condensation

Question 26

Glaciers can store water for long periods of time. What role do glaciers play in the water cycle?

Answer 26

reservoir

Question 27

_________ occurs when ice and snow change directly to water vapor.

Answer 27

sublimination