Water Properties & Water Cycle
This property allows water to dissolve many substances and transport materials through Earth’s systems.
What is being a universal solvent?
These gases trap infrared radiation and warm Earth’s atmosphere.
What are greenhouse gases?
This process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
What is photosynthesis?
These organisms form the base of most food webs.
What are producers?
Excess fertilizer runoff commonly causes this environmental problem in lakes and ponds.
What is eutrophication?
Why do coastal areas usually experience smaller temperature changes than inland areas?
What is because water has a high heat capacity?
Why do urban areas often experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas?
What is because urban surfaces have lower albedo and absorb more heat?
This human activity releases large amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere.
What is burning fossil fuels?
What happens to toxin concentration as it moves higher through trophic levels?
What is it increases through biomagnification?
Why do fish populations often decrease after algal blooms caused by runoff?
What is because oxygen levels decrease as algae decompose?
This process explains how water moves upward through plant stems against gravity.
What is capillary action?
What effect can major volcanic eruptions have on Earth’s climate?
What is temporary global cooling due to ash reflecting sunlight?
How do oceans help regulate atmospheric carbon dioxide levels?
What is oceans absorb and store carbon dioxide?
Why is biodiversity important for ecosystem stability?
What is because ecosystems with greater biodiversity are more resilient to change?
How can increasing forest size help reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide levels?
What is more trees increase carbon absorption through photosynthesis?
During which phase change does water absorb the greatest amount of thermal energy from Earth’s surface?
What is evaporation?
How does the Coriolis effect influence global wind patterns in the Northern Hemisphere?
What is moving air deflects to the right?
Why does deforestation contribute to increased atmospheric carbon levels?
What is because fewer plants are available to remove carbon dioxide through photosynthesis?
How can sediment entering streams reduce biodiversity?
What is sediment can damage habitats and reduce water quality for aquatic organisms?
Why can overharvesting one species disrupt an entire food web?
What is organisms in ecosystems are interconnected through feeding relationships?
How does condensation in the atmosphere influence weather systems?
What is condensation releases stored heat energy that can strengthen storms and air movement?
Why would increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide likely increase Earth’s average global temperature?
What is because more infrared radiation becomes trapped in the atmosphere?
In a coastal ecosystem, phytoplankton play a major role in the carbon cycle through this process.
What is photosynthesis?
Why is the loss of plant populations especially harmful to ecosystems?
What is because plants are primary producers that support food webs and energy flow?
A scientist notices decreasing water table levels in an aquifer over several years. What is the most likely cause?
What is reduced recharge or excessive groundwater use?