Science 8
Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
Knowledge Objectives
1) Generally describe the distribution of water in Alberta,
Canada and the world and understand water characteristics
(glaciers, snow, polar icecaps, ground water, oceans)
2) Interpret graphs showing how much water is available
for us to use.
3) Understand that fresh and salt water contain varying
amounts of dissolved materials, particulates and biological
parts and interpret information about the presence or amount
of these in a water body.
4) Identify factors used to decide if water is potable (able to be
consumed by humans) and understand water quality tests (do
them and interpret them.) – clarity, salinity, hardness, invertebrates
5) Describe, in general terms, how to get fresh water from salt water
using evaporation, distillation and reverse osmosis.
6) Describe the process of erosion and deposition due to wave
action and water flow by:
- identifying dissolved solids and sediment loads and
identifying sources and endpoints for these materials
- describing how waves and tides are made and how they
affect the shoreline
7) Investigate and describe stream characteristics (slope, flow rate,
stream profile)
8) Describe the process leading to the ocean basins and continental
drainage systems (continental shelves and trenches)
9) Identify evidence of glacial action and analyze factors that affect
growth and attrition (shrinking) of glaciers and polar ice caps.
Student Notes
10) Describe the movement of ocean currents and their influence
on regional climates (Gulf Stream, Labrador Current, El Nino and
La Nina)
11) Investigate life forms found in fresh and salt water and identify
and interpret examples of adaptations to these environments (describe
fish and invertebrates found in a local freshwater environment)
12) Analyze factors that lead to the development of adaptations in
species found in saltwater and freshwater environments.
13) Investigate and interpret examples of seasonal, short-term and
long-term changes in populations of living things in aquatic
environments (algae blooms, fish populations, cod and salmon
depletion)
14) Analyze relationships between water quality and living things and
judge (infer) the quality of water based on the life supported by it.
15) Analyze human water uses and identify the impacts resulting
from different uses (pollution in ground and surface water from
home and industrial use, effects of agriculture and forestry of
stream flow and water quality.)
16) Identify current practices and technologies that affect water
quality, evaluate environmental costs and benefits and identify
and evaluate alternatives - Research
- ways of ensuring safe water
- an issue related to water – extension of Agrium gypsum pile or landfill site
- use of secondary and tertiary water treatment
- protection of a natural waterway
- salinization of soils due to irrigation
- eutrophication of ponds and streams due to excess phosphates used in fertilizer and
detergents
- proposal to export water resources
17) Learn about the role of scientific research in monitoring environments
and supporting development of appropriate environmental technologies
(aquatic monitoring) – guest speaker
18) Provide examples of problems that cannot be solved using science and
technology alone (the need to prevent pollutants from entering aquatic
environments, the need to avoid damage from ice sheets and ice bergs)