Question

what to study: bell ringers, video notes, charts, vocabulary, diagrams, etc. concepts to study: the 4 spheres - define, examples (hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere/geosphere). water cycle - define these stages: evaporation, condensation, transpiration, accumulation, groundwater, run off, precipitation. the great lakes - name the 5 great lakes, explain how they form and provide examples of freshwater and salt (marine) water. what is an estuary? locations? importance? what is an aquifer? what are wetlands? what are some examples or locations? why are they important?

Explanation:

The questions cover various geographical - related concepts such as spheres (hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere), the water cycle, and water - related features like wetlands, aquifers, estuaries, and the Great Lakes. Definitions, examples, and importance of these concepts are sought.

Answer:

What are wetlands? Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season. Examples include marshes, swamps, and bogs. Locations are found worldwide, such as the Everglades in the United States. They are important for water purification, flood control, and providing habitat for wildlife.

What is an aquifer? An aquifer is an underground layer of water - bearing permeable rock, rock fractures or unconsolidated materials (gravel, sand, or silt). Examples include the Ogallala Aquifer in the United States. They are crucial sources of groundwater for drinking water and irrigation.

What is an estuary? An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of brackish water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea. Examples include the Chesapeake Bay in the United States. Locations are along coastlines. Their importance lies in being nurseries for many fish and shellfish species and serving as important habitats for birds.

Examples of freshwater and salt (marine) water: Freshwater examples include lakes (e.g., Lake Tahoe), rivers (e.g., the Amazon River). Saltwater examples are the oceans (e.g., the Atlantic Ocean) and seas (e.g., the Mediterranean Sea).

The Great Lakes - name the 5 Great Lakes, explain how they form and provide: The five Great Lakes are Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. They were formed by glacial activity during the last Ice Age. Glaciers carved out large basins in the Earth's surface, and when the glaciers melted, water filled these basins to form the lakes. They provide drinking water, transportation routes, and are important for recreational activities and fishing.

Water cycle - define these stages: evaporation, condensation, transpiration, accumulation, groundwater, runoff, precipitation: Evaporation is the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor. Condensation is the change of water from its gaseous form (water vapor) into liquid water, often forming clouds. Transpiration is the process by which plants release water vapor into the atmosphere through their leaves. Accumulation is the process by which water collects in bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, and oceans. Groundwater is water that exists underground in soil pores and fractures. Runoff is the flow of water that occurs when excess water from precipitation, melting snow, or ice flows over the Earth's surface. Precipitation is any form of water - liquid or solid - that falls from clouds and reaches the ground, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

The 4 spheres - define, examples (hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere/geosphere): The hydrosphere is all the water on the Earth's surface, including oceans, lakes, rivers, and groundwater. The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding the Earth, composed mainly of nitrogen and oxygen. The biosphere is the global sum of all ecosystems, where all living organisms exist. The lithosphere (geosphere) is the rigid, outermost shell of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the uppermost mantle.