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Water Cycle Water cycle path of water through the environment From the earth to the atmosphere and back to the earth Importance of water: Absorbs and releases water-stable global weather patterns Medium for reactions Solvent 60% of cell’s mass
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Water Cycle Water cycle path of water through the
environment From the earth to the atmosphere and back to
the earth Importance of water:
Absorbs and releases water-stable global weather patterns
Medium for reactions Solvent 60% of cell’s mass
Water’s Role Moves from atmosphere to earth through
precipitation Surface runoff and groundwater flows to other
bodies of water Water enters the atmosphere through
transpiration evaporation Transpiration: loss of water thru leaves of plants
Role of living things Plants:
Return water to the atmosphere through transpiration and evaporation
Animals: Return water to the atmosphere through gas
exchange, perspiration, evaporation, excretion
Acid Rain Caused by release of nitrogen and sulphur
compounds into the atmosphere Change into acidic compounds and rain down lowers pH causing aquatic life to experience
chemical "shock" effects EG. Success of trout eggs is decreased when pH
falls below 5.5 reduces crop productivity and forest growth
rates Increases amount of metals water from soil accelerates weathering of limestone surfaces
on buildings and monuments; corrodes metals
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