Explain Environmental Effects - 4th Grade Science
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What is a common water-related environmental effect of mining or construction runoff?
What is a common water-related environmental effect of mining or construction runoff?
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Water pollution from sediment and chemicals. Rain washes loose materials into nearby water sources.
Water pollution from sediment and chemicals. Rain washes loose materials into nearby water sources.
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Which action best reduces pollution from using natural resources for electricity?
Which action best reduces pollution from using natural resources for electricity?
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Using renewable energy such as wind or solar. Clean energy sources don't release harmful emissions.
Using renewable energy such as wind or solar. Clean energy sources don't release harmful emissions.
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Which practice best reduces the environmental impact of obtaining metals from Earth?
Which practice best reduces the environmental impact of obtaining metals from Earth?
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Recycling metals. Reusing metals avoids new mining damage.
Recycling metals. Reusing metals avoids new mining damage.
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What is the most direct environmental effect of building a dam across a river?
What is the most direct environmental effect of building a dam across a river?
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Changes to river flow and fish movement. Dams block natural water flow and fish migration paths.
Changes to river flow and fish movement. Dams block natural water flow and fish migration paths.
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Identify the environmental effect of leaving lights on when they are not needed.
Identify the environmental effect of leaving lights on when they are not needed.
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More resource use and more pollution from power plants. Wasted electricity means burning more fuel unnecessarily.
More resource use and more pollution from power plants. Wasted electricity means burning more fuel unnecessarily.
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What is a natural resource?
What is a natural resource?
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A useful material from Earth that people use. Natural resources come from nature and meet human needs.
A useful material from Earth that people use. Natural resources come from nature and meet human needs.
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What is a nonrenewable natural resource?
What is a nonrenewable natural resource?
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A resource that forms very slowly and can run out. Takes millions of years to form, like fossil fuels.
A resource that forms very slowly and can run out. Takes millions of years to form, like fossil fuels.
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What is the main environmental effect of mining that removes plants and topsoil?
What is the main environmental effect of mining that removes plants and topsoil?
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Land and habitat damage. Mining strips away surface layers where plants grow.
Land and habitat damage. Mining strips away surface layers where plants grow.
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What is a renewable natural resource?
What is a renewable natural resource?
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A resource that can be replaced naturally in a short time. These resources regenerate quickly through natural processes.
A resource that can be replaced naturally in a short time. These resources regenerate quickly through natural processes.
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Which environmental effect is most directly caused by cutting many trees in one area?
Which environmental effect is most directly caused by cutting many trees in one area?
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Habitat loss. Trees provide homes and food for many animals.
Habitat loss. Trees provide homes and food for many animals.
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What environmental problem often increases when forests are removed from hillsides?
What environmental problem often increases when forests are removed from hillsides?
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Soil erosion. Tree roots hold soil in place on slopes.
Soil erosion. Tree roots hold soil in place on slopes.
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Which option best explains why turning off unused lights helps the environment?
Which option best explains why turning off unused lights helps the environment?
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It reduces energy demand, so fewer fossil fuels may be burned. Less electricity use means power plants burn less coal or gas.
It reduces energy demand, so fewer fossil fuels may be burned. Less electricity use means power plants burn less coal or gas.
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Identify the best choice: A hillside is cleared of trees, then heavy rain occurs. What increases most?
Identify the best choice: A hillside is cleared of trees, then heavy rain occurs. What increases most?
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Soil erosion. Tree roots prevent erosion; without them, rain washes soil away.
Soil erosion. Tree roots prevent erosion; without them, rain washes soil away.
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Identify the best choice: A factory dumps waste into a river. Which type of pollution is this?
Identify the best choice: A factory dumps waste into a river. Which type of pollution is this?
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Water pollution. Waste in water is the definition of water pollution.
Water pollution. Waste in water is the definition of water pollution.
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Which option best describes a benefit of using wind or solar energy instead of coal?
Which option best describes a benefit of using wind or solar energy instead of coal?
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It produces much less air pollution during electricity generation. Renewable energy sources don't release harmful gases when used.
It produces much less air pollution during electricity generation. Renewable energy sources don't release harmful gases when used.
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Which option best describes a benefit of recycling aluminum and paper?
Which option best describes a benefit of recycling aluminum and paper?
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It reduces the need to mine or cut down trees for new materials. Recycling saves natural resources by reusing existing materials.
It reduces the need to mine or cut down trees for new materials. Recycling saves natural resources by reusing existing materials.
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Which environmental effect is most directly caused by overfishing in an ocean area?
Which environmental effect is most directly caused by overfishing in an ocean area?
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Fish populations decrease and the food web is disrupted. Removing too many fish breaks the balance of ocean ecosystems.
Fish populations decrease and the food web is disrupted. Removing too many fish breaks the balance of ocean ecosystems.
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What is the most likely environmental effect of building a dam on a river?
What is the most likely environmental effect of building a dam on a river?
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It changes habitats by altering water flow and fish movement. Dams block natural water flow and prevent fish migration.
It changes habitats by altering water flow and fish movement. Dams block natural water flow and prevent fish migration.
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What is the most likely environmental effect of pumping too much groundwater?
What is the most likely environmental effect of pumping too much groundwater?
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Lowered water table and less water for wells and streams. Overuse depletes underground water faster than rain refills it.
Lowered water table and less water for wells and streams. Overuse depletes underground water faster than rain refills it.
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What is the main environmental concern when fertilizers wash into lakes or rivers?
What is the main environmental concern when fertilizers wash into lakes or rivers?
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Algal blooms that reduce oxygen in the water. Excess nutrients cause rapid algae growth that depletes oxygen.
Algal blooms that reduce oxygen in the water. Excess nutrients cause rapid algae growth that depletes oxygen.
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