U7L3 and L4 Water and Climate Change

Question 1

What is definition of drought?

Answer 1

A period of drier-than-normal conditions resulting from a decrease in precipitation levels over weeks, months, or years

Question 2

What is the definition of global average temperature?

Answer 2

The average of thousands of temperature measurements in the atmosphere, oceans, and on land over a specific time period

Question 3

How does increased temperature cause more drought?

Answer 3

As temperatures rise, the rate of evaporation increases. Areas that tend to be dry will experience more extreme drought. This is because warmer air holds more water than cooler air. Because the air is warmer, clouds will not condense as quickly.

Question 4

How are some clouds affecting global warming?

Answer 4

Some types of clouds help to cool the Earth by reflecting light from the sun back into space. Other types of clouds hold the heat in, just like greenhouse gases. Scientists have observed that more heat-trapping clouds are forming, adding to climate change.

Question 5

While arid regions experience more extreme drought, what happens to regions that tend to receive more precipitation?

Answer 5

They will face extreme storms

Question 6

How does increased runoff affect the ground?

Answer 6

Runoff increases as rain increases. The ground is unable to absorb water fast enough, so water runs off, picking up debris and chemicals along the way. These wind up in bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Question 7

What affect does snow have on water availability?

Answer 7

Each winter, snow falls in mountainous regions, storing water that melts later through the spring and summer. This snow melt provides water that people rely on for household, agricultural, and industrial use. As the Earth warms, much of the snowfall is replaced with rain. The snow that does fall arrives later and melts earlier. This changes the timing of the availability of water.

Question 8

What is turbidity?

Answer 8

Turbidity is cloudiness caused by stirred- up sediment; turbid water is not good for drinking and can be harmful to aquatic life.

Question 9

What temperatures increase the risk of algal blooms and bacterial growth.?

Answer 9

Warmer temperatures

Question 10

How is freshwater near the coast more likely to be affected by salinity?

Answer 10

Rising ocean levels can push saltwater

upstream into bodies of water, making them unusable for drinking, irrigation, and industrial purposes.

Question 11

Groundwater is more protected than surface water. However, it is at risk too. How is it at risk?

Answer 11

Lower groundwater levels can also allow infiltration of saltwater along the ocean shore. As with surface water, saltwater intrusion into the water table can make the water unusable.

Question 12

How are ecosystems affected by a low water plate?

Answer 12

As water demands increase with temperature, more groundwater is extracted. This can lower the water table, which affects ecosystems which rely on the availability of groundwater. As the water table falls, plants’ roots can no longer reach it.

Question 13

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, oceans have become __% more acidic.

Answer 13

30

Question 14

What is the definition if turbidity?

Answer 14

Cloudiness in water caused by stirred up by sediments or by algae or other microscopic organisms.

Question 15

What effect do clouds have on climate change?

Answer 15

Some types of clouds reflect light and cool the atmosphere while others hold onto heat like greenhouse gases.

Question 16

How do warming temperatures affect storms?

Answer 16

Warming temperatures cause storms to be more severe and to produce more rain.

Question 17

What happens as snow cover and glaciers disappear?

Answer 17

As snow cover and glaciers disappear, the reflect less light and atmospheric temperature increase.

Question 18

What effect do rising ocean levels have on costal fresh water?

Answer 18

Rising ocean levels can infiltrate fresh water with salt water.

Question 19

What causes coral bleaching?

Answer 19

The ocean temperature rising.

YoU sAy ThE oCeAnS rIsInG

Question 20

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), since 1750, the sea level has risen an average of __ centimeters.

Answer 20

20

Question 21

How is the ocean rising bad for the environment?

Answer 21

Rising tides cause increased erosion. They also infiltrate coastal fresh water with salt water. The salt water reduces plant life which needs fresh water to survive; this affects the entire food web.

Question 22

As the oceans rise, over ___ million people worldwide could be displaced.

Answer 22

600

Question 23

What are climate change indicators?

Answer 23

These measurements are called climate change indicators because they show the progression of global climate change.

Question 24

What is a fall line?

Answer 24

The Atlantic coastal plain is a large, mostly flat low area along the mid-Atlantic and southeast regions. Farther inland is an area where the land goes from low and flat to an elevated highland; this area is called the fall line. The fall line marks the boundary between the Piedmont Plateau and the coastal plain. As the name suggests, the fall line is where waterfalls and rapids are found.

Question 25

What the definition of fall line?

Answer 25

A narrow zone between an elevated region and a plain where rivers from falls and rapids

Question 26

Describe upstream rivers.

Answer 26

Upstream from the fall line rivers move swiftly through narrow valleys.

Question 27

Describe downstream rivers.

Answer 27

Downstream from the fall line, the rivers of the coastal plains are large, relatively calm, and navigable by large boats.

Question 28

In early America, how the lowland of the costal plains help the newcomers?

Answer 28

Settlements such as Jamestown sat on the coastal plain, the lowland area between the ocean and the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. Using the large rivers that cross the coastal plain, colonists were able to sail their ships upstream to continue exploring and settling new land.

Question 29

How did Earth’s topography shape America’s culture development on the east coast?
(Chesapeake Bay)

Answer 29

Large ships entering from the Chesapeake Bay were able to navigate inland as the rivers were broad, deep, and slow moving. At the Piedmont plateau, the rivers became narrow and swift, filled with rapids and waterfalls.

Question 30

The fall line marked a natural boundary for larger ships. How did this influence westward expansion?

Answer 30

The fall line marked a natural boundary for larger ships. Trading posts were established up and down the fall line as ships stopped to unload their cargo. As westward expansion continued, and more and more people and goods arrived at the fall line, these small outposts grew into early American cities.

Question 31

Where is a fall line located?

Answer 31

The point of change, where the coastal plain meets the plateau, is the fall line.

Question 32

What is Richmond, Virginia’s relationship with water?

Answer 32

Richmond, Virginia, is located on the fall line of the James River, and is one of the oldest major cities in the United States. Its history, like the history of most other cities, was shaped by the availability of water resources.

Question 33

What made the Powhatan stop wanting to have peaceful trading relationships with the English?

Answer 33

They were angered by the English continuing to encroach into their territory.

Question 34

How did the colonists rely on the James River?

Answer 34

The colonists relied on he James River for bringing in supplies from England and for sending out tobacco to trade.

Question 35

Why did George Washington want to build a canal?

Answer 35

George Washington wanted to find a way to connect the James and Ohio Rivers to enable goods to the shipped west of the Appalachian mountains.

Question 36

Why was the canal abandoned?

Answer 36

The canal was abandoned when railroads were able to be built faster and more cheaply.

Question 37

List three ways that water resources were important to Richmond’s development.

Answer 37

The James River helped the colonists explore the region, it was crucial to transporting goods to and from Richmond, and the canal helped to make Richmond an economic center.