env w4 ques - Chapter 10: Test Practice Quiz Questions: 1,...


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Chapter 10: Test Practice Quiz Questions: 1, 5 and 6. 1. Describe the path a molecule of water might follow through the hydrologic cycle from the ocean to land and back again. Water leaves the ocean by evaporation. The water is then carried around the globe and falls as rain, snow, or fog. Most of this falls back on the ocean, but some falls on land. On land, precipitation is then taken up by living things, travels though aquifers (a layer of porous rock that stores water underground), may be stored in glaciers, snow, or groundwater. Eventually rivers carry water back to the ocean. 5. Describe at least one example of the environmental costs of water diversion from rivers to farms or cities. Although there are many consequences of water diversion to farms or cities, one example would the effects of irrigation. The environmental costs would be numerous. The consequences from river diversion include reduced flooding, disappearance of wetlands and flood forests, reduced availability of potable water, reduced shipping routes, and reduced fishing opportunities. These consequences will cost the environment not only as stated, but will destroy the habitat of the land surrounding it. 6. Explain the difference between point and non-point pollution. Which is harder to control? Why? Point sources discharge pollution from specific locations, such as drain pipes, ditches, or sewers. Non-point sources of water pollution have no particular place to go and discharge into bodies of water. Non-point sources are harder to monitor and regulate because the origins are hard to identify. Chapter 10: Discussion Questions 1 and 6. 1. What changes might occur in the hydrologic cycle if our climate were to warm or cool significantly? Many impacts of climate change would be negative, but some may also be positive. Agricultural productivity might be improved, and amount of sunlight available for grain crops may increase for regions such as Canada, Scandinavia, and northern Japan. Heating costs in the northern areas might decline. On the negative side, some northern soils that are not suitable for agriculture, and some areas of permanently frozen ground might become flooded, impossible to pass, and various insect pests and diseases might move north. Globally, disease and health illnesses will be greater.
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Economically, poor countries and regions that are already experiencing shortage of food and water will experience complete devastation. Thousands of people would die because dependant on the area they live, adaptability to colder (or warmer) climates may not be possible. Living conditions, agriculture, trade, etc. 6. Under what conditions might sediment in water or cultural eutrophication be beneficial? How should we balance positive and negative effects? Sediment is important in depositing new soil in delta areas for healthier crops.
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