Why Are Earth’s Water systems important?
What would happen without water?
There would be no life on earth
Which is larger, ocean or river?
Ocean, its the largest body of water on earth
What is river " diversion "?
Changing the course of a river in order to meet a need
What does " biodegrade " mean?
Slowly broken down into natural parts by natural processes
How many oceans are there?
There is really only one ocean on this planet. The worlds oceans are joined together. It is only for our convenience that we give names to the different parts of the ocean
What does " to irrigate " mean?
To artificially supply water to land or plants to help growth
Can rivers be an ecosystem? If so, what for? If not why?
Yes, rivers are ecosystems for plants and animals
How many people die every day from around the world, by water pollution?
14,000 a day
List at least one renewable energy source
Wind power, solar power, etc....
Out of all the earths water what percent is the oceans/ocean? And what percent is fresh?
Ocean: 97%
Fresh water: 3%
What are the 4 main stages in the water cycle?
Evaporation, condensation, precipitation and collection
What does " estuary " mean?
A body of water along a coast where rivers meet the sea and that contains a mix of fresh and salt water
What are the 3 types of river diversion?
Canals, dams and river channels
Fertilizer and pesticides wash into oceans and rivers, or help everything to grow in the oceans?
Wash into rivers and oceans, which is very bad for the water and sea creatures
Rivers are found on every continent. Except....?
Antarctica
Name one way water gets into the ocean
Precipitation, groundwater or surface runoff from rivers
What is one thing that rivers can create/cause when they flow over the land?
Valleys, foodplains and deltas
If toxic waste is poisonous chemicals, name at least 2
Pesticides, mercury, lead, arsenic etc...
Name at least 4 ways we can help water become cleaner and healthier
1. Use the internet to find out what rivers in your province or territory might be diverted or dammed
2. Learn more about coral reefs and how you cna help and to keep them healthy
3. Reuse plastic bags and containers whenever possible
4. Refuse to buy products that come with to much plastic packaging
5. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle all of your waste
6. Volunteer with an environmental group that is working to protect rivers or oceans
7. Support an organization that is working to clean up rivers and oceans
8. Write letters to elected officials to tell them that you want action to clean up rivers and oceans
What percent of Earths surface is water?
71%
What First Nation groups used rivers as a part of there traditional way of life?
Metis and Inuit in Canada
What allows algae to grow in the sun?
When the nutrients and carbon dioxide rise from the deep and cold layers of the ocean, and bring it to warmer surface layers
Name at least 3 ways us humans destroy habitats that border the ocean
1. Fish nets dragging along the ocean floor break the coral and disturb sediment
2. Poor farming practices result in large amounts of soil washing off the land and into the ocean
3. Tour boats collide with fragile coral reefs, breaking the coral
4. People mine coral to use as road-fill or bricks in new buildings
5. Many kinds of toxins dumped into the ocean, or carried there by rivers are poisoning the reefs
Name a least 3 ways the government (national, provincial or state, and local) is trying to reduce pollution
1. Setting water-quality guidelines
2. Making stricter regulations
3. Encouraging technology
4. Switching to renewable energy
5. Limiting the use of fertilizers and pesticides
6. Encouraging consumer awareness
Oceans contribute to __% of the water that evaporates into the water cycle
86%