Reading...
Play button
Play button
Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
28 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
What is the essential substance of life?
|
Water
|
|
|
Water covers ___% of the planet's surface and is the dominant environment on Earth.
|
75
|
|
|
What is the hydrologic cycle?
|
The hydrologic (water) cycle is the process in which water travels in a sequence from the air to Earth and returns to the atmosphere.
|
|
|
What is the driving force behind the water cycle?
|
Solar radiation is the driving force behind the water cycle because it provides energy for the evaporation of water.
|
|
|
What eventually falls in the form of precipitation?
|
water vapor
|
|
|
What occurs when precipitation falls onto vegetation, dead organic matter, and urban structures or streets?
|
interception--this water evaporates directly back into the atmosphere
|
|
|
What is infiltration?
|
the process in which precipation that reaches the soil moves into the ground
|
|
|
When does surface runoff occur?
|
Surface runoff of infiltrated water occurs when the soil is saturated.
|
|
|
Name the term that describes water that seeps down to an impervious layer of rock.
|
groundwater
|
|
|
What is the evaporation of water from the internal surfaces of plants?
|
transpiration
|
|
|
What is evotranspiration?
|
Evotranspiration is the total amount of evaporating water.
|
|
|
What physical factors are important in aquatic environments?
|
light
temperature oxygen (gas) concentration CO2 (gas) concentration pH salinity |
|
|
As light enters the water's surface, it is _________ and subsequently _________ or scattered by suspended particles and water.
|
intercepted; absorbed
|
|
|
What wavelengths of light are absorbed first?
|
Longer wavelengths (red light) are absorbed first.
|
|
|
What unique adaptations in aquatic organisms does the pattern of light absorption in water give rise to?
|
body color or lack of pigmentation
large eyes bioluminescence |
|
|
What happens to sunlight as it is absorbed by water?
|
it heats up
|
|
|
How is heat distributed as winds and surface waves mix?
|
Heat is distributed vertically as winds and surface waves mix.
|
|
|
What is the region of the vertical depth where water temperature declines most rapidly?
|
thermocline
|
|
|
Where is the thermocline located?
|
between the eplimnion (warm, lighter water above) and the hypolimnion (cold, denser water below)
|
|
|
What is the tendency of molecules to move from a region of high concentration to one of lower concentration?
|
diffusion
|
|
|
What is the rate of diffusion dependent upon?
|
the solubility of oxygen
the diffusion gradient |
|
|
Why is the oxygen content of flowing water high?
|
due to the greater contact of water with the atmosphere
|
|
|
What are solutions with a pH less than 7 considered?
|
acidic solutions
|
|
|
What are solutions with a pH of 7 considered?
|
neutral
|
|
|
What are solutions with a pH greater than 7 considered?
|
basic/alkaline
|
|
|
Which organisms can survive in very acidic or very basic environments?
|
extremophiles
|
|
|
What is salinity?
|
Salinity is the measurement of dissolved salt (mainly NaCl) in water or soil; measured in parts per thousand (ppt)
|
|
|
What is the average ocean water salinity?
|
35 ppt
|
