Long Answers

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Last edited 43 days ago by Learn LoopHQ.

Chapter: 04. Major Water Bodies

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Discuss the importance of oceans for human life and the environment.

Oceans are crucial for human life and the environment as they serve as vast storehouses of essential oil and mineral resources. They support an immense variety of aquatic life, forming vital ecosystems. Furthermore, oceans facilitate international trade by providing efficient routes for global transportation and commerce. Their immense surface also plays a significant role in moderating coastal climates through evaporation, which contributes to rainfall. Lastly, oceans are a major source of food supply for many populations worldwide, and possess enormous energy in the form of tidal waves.

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Explain the various stages of a river’s course from its source to its mouth.

The course of a river is divided into three distinct stages. The upper course is found in mountainous regions where the land is steep, causing the river to flow with great swiftness and erode the landscape. Next, in its middle course, the river descends to the plains, where the slope is gentler, leading to a considerable decrease in its flow speed and often the formation of meanders. Finally, the lower course occurs near the river’s mouth, where the slope is negligible, causing the flow to nearly halt and extensive deposition of sediments, often forming deltas.

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Describe the main causes of water pollution and their detrimental effects on water bodies.

Water pollution primarily stems from household waste, industrial discharges, and surface run-off. Untreated liquid waste from homes directly introduces pathogens, exposing people to diseases like typhoid and cholera. Liquid waste from thermal power plants initially increases dissolved oxygen but then leads to microbial blooms that deplete oxygen, harming other aquatic organisms. Surface run-off from farms carries fertilizers, promoting excessive algae growth that also depletes oxygen, making water bodies unlivable for fish. Additionally, oil spills from transportation contaminate waters, harming marine life through suffocation, ingestion, and external damage to animals like birds.

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Elaborate on the significance of rivers as an important resource.

Rivers are incredibly important resources for numerous reasons. Their valleys and plains provide highly fertile soils, which are ideal for abundant crop growth, supporting agriculture. Rivers are a fundamental source of fresh water, vital for human and animal consumption, enabling the development of large settlements. Moreover, they offer efficient means of transport, facilitating the movement of goods and people and thus promoting trade. Crucially, river water is used to power hydroelectric plants, generating electricity that supports industrial growth, and they also provide opportunities for recreational activities.

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Explain the major characteristics of the Pacific Ocean, including its notable features.

The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean on Earth, covering over one-third of the globe and appearing almost circular in shape. It is bordered by new fold mountains that have the highest concentration of active volcanoes, leading to this area being termed the ‘Ring of Fire’. A notable feature is the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the Earth’s crust, located near the Philippines. In its southern part, the Pacific Ocean merges with the Atlantic and Indian oceans.

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Detail the challenges related to plastic pollution in oceans as highlighted by SDG 14.

SDG 14, “Life Below Water,” highlights the severe challenge of plastic pollution in oceans, noting that plastic waste constitutes 80% of all marine pollution. Millions of tons of plastic enter oceans annually, with predictions suggesting plastic could outweigh all fish by 2050. This plastic takes thousands of years to degrade, even then only breaking into microplastics. The pollution catastrophically harms marine life, causing suffocation, entanglement, laceration, infections, and internal injuries when ingested. Urgent global action is required for sustainable marine resource use.

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Compare and contrast gulfs and bays based on their formation and characteristics.

Gulfs and bays are both inlets of the sea, but differ in their degree of enclosure and formation. A bay is typically a broad, semicircular indentation of the sea or a lake into a coastline, often formed by continental drift and coastal erosion, making it less enclosed. In contrast, a gulf is a deeper inlet, almost surrounded by land, with a narrower mouth, implying a more enclosed structure often formed by the movement of Earth’s plates. Gulfs are generally more indented and enclosed compared to bays.

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Describe the importance and key features of any two significant lakes mentioned in the chapter.

Lake Baikal, located in south-east Siberia, is globally significant as the oldest and deepest lake (1,700m), containing 20% of the world’s total unfrozen freshwater reserve. Its immense depth and age make it a unique ecological site.

The Five Great Lakes of the USA (Superior, Huron, Michigan, Ontario, Erie) collectively form the largest body of fresh water on Earth, situated between the United States and Canada. They are crucial for supporting over 34 million people and thousands of species, serving as vital channels for goods transportation and popular recreational spots for activities like boating and fishing.

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