Unit 9 Study Guide: Freshwater and Marine Systems and Resources

To help prepare for the upcoming unit exam make sure you study all of the following concepts. You will
be asked to be able to define key terms. You will also be asked to apply your knowledge to scenarios and
questions that require you to analyze and interpret. Interpreting diagrams and graphs is essential.

Freshwater Systems
● What is an aquifer?
● Of all the water on Earth, what percentage is freshwater? Readily available freshwater?
● What are sources of freshwater in the world?
● What is a watershed? Why is it important to us as consumers?
● What is a floodplain and why are they important?
● Why are wetlands (including mangroves and saltwater estuaries) so important to our environment?
How are they being threatened?

Human Impact on Waterways

● How have humans changed the flow of water for their benefit? What are the human benefits of
changing the flow of water?
● What do we use freshwater for? What is most of our freshwater used for?
● Why do humans build dams? What are the benefits and negative consequences?

Water Pollution
● What is point source pollution? What is nonpoint source pollution? Have an example of each.
● How does nutrient pollution affect waterways? What is nutrient pollution?
● Know other types of pollution, how one can detect them, and the issues they cause
○ Sediment
○ Thermal
○ Chemical (pesticides, etc)
● What is Biological Oxygen Demand? What can testing dissolved oxygen levels tell us about the
health of an aquatic ecosystem?
● What are the steps of wastewater treatment? How do we dispose of each waste item?

Marine Systems
● What is upwelling and how does it affect marine ecosystems?
● How do the oceans influence climate in general?
○ What is thermohaline circulation?
○ What is El Nino? How does it differ from normal weather patterns?
● How does climate change affect ocean chemistry?
○ How does this affect coral reefs?
● Explain the definition and importance of the following coastal features:
○ Salt Marshes
○ Mangrove Forests
○ Estuaries
○ Kelp Forests
○ Coral Reefs
○ Barrier Islands
Marine Problems and Solutions
● What are the effects of plastic waste on marine life? Give 1-2 specific examples.
● Why are oil spills so problematic?
● What causes algal blooms and red tides?
● What do we mean by the terms “overfishing” and “industrialized fishing”?
○ How is bycatch a part of the problem?
● What are some solutions to overfishing?
○ How can they work for both fish and fishers?
○ What are the pros and cons for aquaculture?

FRQ
You will be given data to analyze, combining your knowledge of biodiversity, endangered species and
coastal habitats. You must
● Analyze data
● Explain why a change has taken place
● Describe potential human impacts on coastal habitats
● Propose solutions to prevent continued human harm
● Understand ecological benefits and ecosystem services of coastal habitats
● Understand the relationship between rising sea levels and coastal ecosystems