The Water Cycle
What is the driving force behind the water cycle?
the sun
Discuss 3 reasons why rivers are important.
Rivers are important due to their use as transportation routes, water supply, and as a source of food.
In North America there are 5 major water drainage areas. Name two.
Arctic Ocean Drainage
Hudson Bay Drainage
Atlantic Ocean Drainage
Gulf of Mexico Drainage
Pacific Ocean Drainage.
Name 1 natural factor that affects water systems.
Rainfall Changes
Erosion
What makes something a resource?
A resource is something from which a benefit is produced and that has some use.
Clouds are formed when water vapour rises high enough in the atmosphere to cool and become liquid water again. What is this process called?
condensation
What is the longest river system in the world?
the Nile, located in Egypt
Why are ocean currents important? Give two reasons.
Ocean currents are important for circulating the water, affecting global temperatures, assisting ships in their travels, and helping aquatic life move from place to place.
Name 2 human activities that affect water systems.
* Climate Change
* Dam Construction
* Irrigation
* Bottling Water
*Caused by Climate Change
Which countries in the world have the most access to natural resources?
Canada, USA, China, France
Water that collects in rivers, streams, and oceans and is eventually returned to the ocean is called...what?
run-off
As rivers move they erode two different patterns into the earth depending on the surrounding landforms and the environment. What are these two drainage patterns?
Dendritic --> "tree-shaped" pattern
Trellis --> one main line with perpendicular lines that run off
What is the "Coriolis Effect"?
Because the Earth rotates, circulating air does not travel in a straight pattern. Air deflects toward the right in the Northern Hemisphere and toward the left in the Southern Hemisphere, resulting in curved paths. This deflection is called the Coriolis effect.
The Coriolis Effect is what gives hurricanes their spin.
The artificial process of applying controlled amounts of water to land to assist in production of crops.
Irrigation
Name two examples of NON-RENEWABLE resources.
oil, coal, gold, iron, nickel
Liquid water changes to a gas through the process of ... what?
evaporation
What is a "drainage basin"?
A drainage basin is the whole area that drains into one river system. In Ontario, the St. Lawrence basin contains the five Great Lakes and several rivers.
River systems are a network of other streams and lakes called ... what?
tributaries
What is erosion? And how does it affect water systems?
Erosion is the geological process in which earthen materials are worn away and transported by natural forces such as wind or water.
Soil erosion has an effect on how much water the soil can hold, how rapidly water flows over the soil, and its movement below surface (i.e. ground water). Soil erosion also adversely affects the quality of water.
Explain the difference between a RENEWABLE resource and a FLOW resource.
Renewable - resources can be replaced if careful
Flow - resources that are replaced by natural actions whether people use them or not.
The process of evaporation from plants is called...what?
transpiration (*think "plant sweat")
What are the 2 main types of ocean currents?
Surface currents = caused by the friction of wind moving over water
Deep water currents = caused by different densities in the water. These differences in densities are caused by water temperature and the amount of salt in the water. Deep water currents move cold and warm water around the Earth.
What happens when pollution gets into drainage basins?
If one area of water becomes contaminated it will eventually flow into other areas because they all drain into one area. This pollution can cause damage to aquatic life and cause health issues for the residents living around the water.
How does bottled water affect water systems?
1) Plastic water bottles can harbour hundreds of tiny bits of plastic, and we're drinking them down with bottled H2O. Micro-plastics are all over the place: in our salt, contaminating our seas, and running out of our taps, too.
2) Although plastic water bottles can be recycled, many of them end up in the landfills, releasing toxins into the air, soil, and water.
Canada is rich in natural resources. What benefits do these natural resources bring to Canadians?
❑ Economic benefits – current jobs, future employment opportunities, income, trade, support local economies
❑ Scientific research and development- i.e. oil sands
❑ Provide entertainment - i.e. camping, hiking, fishing, boating, canoeing in the forest and/or ocean areas
❑ Tourism