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;
15 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
What is an estuary and what makes it unique?
|
An estuary is where fresh water meets salt water. It's unique because salinity levels change and animals must adapt. They also make good nurseries for animals.
|
|
|
Name three things that cause the water quality in an estuary to decrease.
|
Excess nutrients from fertilizer, such as nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, can cause algae to grow out of control in the water. The destruction of natural habitats for the living, and wetlands. Toxic chemicals and increased sediment.
|
|
|
What is the largest estuary in the U.S?
|
The Chesapeake Bay
|
|
|
Give some reasons estuaries are important for humans.
|
Culteral benefits (recreation; scientific knowledge), Economic benefits (tourism, commercial activities), shipping, transportation, and other industry
|
|
|
Completely explain how oxygen can be depleted (used up) in a body of water. There are two basic reasons.
|
Turbidity blocks sunlight from SAV. Excess nutrients cause algae to bloom, which causes turbidity. When the algae dies and decays, bacteria that decompose algae uses oxygen.
|
|
|
Define Salinity and explain how salinity levels can change in an estuary.
|
Salinity is the amount of salt dissolved in water. Excessive rain can decrease the salinity and drought can increase salinity.
|
|
|
How can pH be measured and what is the pH scale for an acid, base, and a neutral substance?
|
The pH level can be measured using pH test kits or pH meters.
The pH scale is a number scale between 0-14. An acid has a pH of 0 to less than 7 A base has a pH greater than 7 to 14 Neutral substances have a pH of 7 |
|
|
What problems do farms create for a watershed?
|
Runoff from the farms can carry nutrients and agricultural areas allow excess nutrients and sediment into the watershed.
|
|
|
What is the difference between point and non-point source pollution?
|
Point source pollution = pollution comes from one polluter and can be easily identified . Non-point source pollution is not easily identified, because there may be many contributors to the pollution
|
|
|
List four ways non-point source pollution can be reduced.
|
Using cleaning products and fertilizers without phosphorus
Testing your car for oil leaks Manure containment on farms Silt fences around construction sites |
|
|
How much of the earth’s water is salt water (percent)?
|
About 97% is salt water
|
|
|
What is SAV and two reasons why it's important to the bay?
|
SAV = submerged aquatic vegetation.
SAVs provide a protective environment for aquatic organisms SAVs produces oxygen through photosynthesis. |
|
|
Name and define three types of pollutants.
|
Sediment pollution-sediments suspended in the water
Toxic pollution-gasoline, oil, pesticides, etc. Thermal pollution-hot water resulting from water runoff from paved surfaces |
|
|
Which water quality test (standard) is the most important test for the health of the water ecosystem?
|
Dissolved oxygen
|
|
|
Where do nutrients come from?
|
Nutrients come from fertilizers, animal wastes, and detergents (phosphates)
|
