Unit 4 - Water Cycle and Water Pollution Flashcards
Aquatic Ecosystems/Biomes
And how they connect
- Deep sea vents
- Coral reef
- Lake
- Swamps
- Rivers
- Streams
- Ponds
- Tidal Pools
Connect through:
Water cycle - Water evaporates, wind brings it to other areas, it rains down & moves away
Runoffs - Into ocean due to overflow
Migration of animals
Hydrosphere
All earth’s water systems
Water cycle
Water’s continuous movement process
Surface water
Water on earth’s surface
Gaseous water
Water in vapour form
Evaporation
Water turns into atmospheric vapour with energy
Condensation
Vapour becomes liquid droplets
Clouds
Collections of condensed water droplets
Precipitation
Water falls from then atmosphere
Transpiration
Plants release water vapour through leaves
Runoff
Water flows accross earth’s surface
Infiltration
Water seeps into earth’s ground
Ground water
Underground water in rock layers
Resevoir
Long term water storage locations naturally
In what ways are we impacting the water cycle?
- Pesticides filter through underground channels and reach consumption networks; causes illness from consuming infected animals
- Sewage/Industrial waste - oceans
- Releasing CO2 - causes global warming - causes changing weather patterns.
What are the three things that water pollution can be triggered by?
Consequences?
- Agriculture
- Waste
- Sewage
Consequences: Loss of biodiversity, illness
Bioaccumulation vs Biomagnification
Bioaccumulation is the buildup of toxins in one organism over time.
Biomagnification is the increase in toxin levels as they move up the food chain. Toxins start with producers and pass to primary consumers.
Why are top carnivores most affected by toxins (Biomagnification)?
As predators eat more prey, toxins magnify, and become highest in top predators like sharks and humans.
Why do male killer whales live shorter lives?
They have a higher buildup of toxins such as PCBs and mercury stored in their fat, harming their health
Why do southern whales have more PCB’s than northern?
Southern populations live in areas where pollution is higher due to more industrial and agricultural runoff
Which thing for killer whale is more likely to have more toxins,
- Type
- Gender
- Birth order
- Location
- Resident
- Male
- Firstborn calf
- Near big cities
Water Cycle (not in notes but helpful background knowledge)
- Evaporation and Transpiration: Water from oceans, rivers, lakes, and plants turns into vapor and rises into the air.
- Condensation: Water vapor cools and forms clouds as tiny droplets gather together.
- Precipitation and Collection: Water falls back to the ground as rain, snow, or hail and collects in rivers, lakes, and oceans, starting the cycle again.
