Water cycle
What is the process of water turning into vapor?
Evaporation
Name two renewable sources of freshwater.
Rainwater, rivers, lakes, groundwater that is replenished
What is water pollution?
Dirty or harmful substances in water
What is drought?
A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water
What is a flood?
covering or submerging of normally dry land with a large amount of water
What is transpiration?
The loss of water vapor from plant leaves into the atmosphere.
What is an aquifer?
A layer of permeable rock or sediment that stores groundwater.
Name one example of point source pollution.
Factory waste, sewage pipes
Name one human cause of water shortages.
Overuse, pollution, wasting water
State two physical causes of flooding.
Heavy rainfall, snowmelt, steep slopes,
impermeable surfaces
Name two ways humans can change the water cycle.
Deforestation, urbanization, building dams, pollution, climate change
Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of desalination.
Advantage: provides freshwater
disadvantage: expensive, high energy use, salt waste
Name two diseases caused by polluted water.
Cholera, dysentery, diarrhea
Name two effects of drought on people.
Food shortages, job losses, migration, Malnutrition
Explain how deforestation can increase the risk of flooding.
Fewer trees means less interception and root absorption, leading to more runoff and higher flood risk.
Explain how climate change can affect the water cycle.
evaporation, changing rainfall patterns, more extreme weather, more droughts and floods
Evaluate two methods of increasing water supply.
Desalination, building dams
What is one cause of water pollution from farms?
Fertilizers or pesticides
Explain how climate change may increase the risk of drought.
weather patterns, reducing rainfall, increasing temperatures.
Explain how climate change increases flooding
More extreme rainfall, sea level rise
Evaluate two possible effects of changes in the water cycle on ecosystems.
Loss of wetlands, reduced biodiversity, desertification, increased flooding
Evaluate two strategies for sustainable water use in agriculture.
Drip irrigation, scheduling irrigation times, recycling wastewater, planting drought-resistant crops
Evaluate two ways governments can control water pollution.
Laws, fines, sewage treatment, better farming practices
Evaluate two long-term solutions for drought.
Desalination
Improved irrigation
Reservoir construction
Drought-resistant crops
Education and policies encouraging water conservation.
Evaluate two flood management methods.
Levees, dams, afforestation, flood zoning