Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition in Texas lesson 2

unit 4

TEKS 8B: The student will analyze the effects of weathering, erosion, and deposition on the environment in ecoregions of Texas.

Vocabulary1) ENVIRONMENT: the area in which something exists or lives. Bactrian CamelPolar Bear

Ecoregion: Ice Ecoregion: Dessert

Cold

Hot

contrast

Vocabulary2) Ecoregion: an area of land with identifiable climate patterns,vegetation, physical features, and other factors that affect theenvironment and habitat diversity.

Blackland Prairie

Edwards Plateau

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa5e_2LL-XQ

3) Weathering: is the breaking down of rock into smallerpieces that remain next to each other. Weathering forms sediment. There are two types: chemical and mechanical.

Chemical weathering: is the breaking down of rock into smaller pieces becauseof chemical changes within the rock. Examples are oxidation and carbonation.

Mechanical weathering: is the physical breaking of rock without any change in thechemical composition of the rock. Examples are ice wedging, exfoliation, thermal, and biotic force.

4) Erosion: is the movement of sediments from one place to another. Causes are wind, water, wave, glacial, and gravitational. Uplifting

5) Deposition: is the laying down of sediment that was carried in from another place. Causes are wind, water, and ice. Unloading

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLFfmeirwjgVideos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2311yO5opVksong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80mQC9BGuS0Bill nye, erosion

w.e.d.

6) Processes: Weathering, Erosion and Deposition are each a process that reshapes our environment.

Understand -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwIOkp365PU

Explore your handout: keep in your binder.

Looking at a Texas Map, what IS our ecoregion for Comfort??

Use hand lens and locate the county of Kendall.

Now, each group find one city and locate it on your map for an ecoregion (x2). Place a piece of clay on the point. Then, using the Ipad, research a description of each ecoregion. Write on your copy of your Ecoregions of Texas. (Geography, rain fall, elevation, and vegitation) tpwd or pwrpt

WED ActivityFor the next couple of days, you will be placed in groups to explore and write on the effects of weathering, erosion, and deposition on the shape of the Earth in a 4-station activity.

SAFETY: Review station procedures and safety precautions including the safe handling of vinegar and blowing sand gently, as not to scatter it around the room and possibly get it into someone’s eyes. Remember you will also need to wear safety goggles throughout the stations.

Discuss the following clean-up procedures for each station. Include information on the disposal and cleanup of each station before rotation to a new station:

Station 1 – Rinse and dry the dish and limestone rock. Place theused rock aside. The next group uses an unused rock.

Station 2 – Leave rock and ground sediments at the station. Eachgroup can add to the pile of sediment. Instruct each group to grind aportion of the rock that hasn’t been ground together yet.

Station 3 – Pile sand and gravel back to the beginning end of thepan. Remove the large rocks so each group may place their own.Discard straw after use.

Station 4 – Dump sand, gravel, and water into the discard container.Do not pour down the sink because sand and gravel left behind inthe water may clog the drain.

WED continued

You will have about 10–15 minutes at each station to conduct the investigation and write descriptive observations. That means; describe what happened. Make sure you label each station 1, 2, 3, or 4. Give each a Title. THEN, answer the questions (a, b, c, and d) at each station in your Notebook.

GRADED NOTEBOOK: I will be looking for organization, station numbers and a title, complete description or diagram with labels of what happened or what you did, AND that you have answered the questions for that station.PLEASE record your information accurately in the science notebook.

Possible descriptive words to use: Bubbles appearedVinegar acts like acid rainPollutionRocks rubbed together are like being weatheredWeatheredErodedDeposited (dropped)Precipitation (rain)Physical weathering

WED station questions continued

Through your exploration of weathering, erosion, and deposition, you found that water and wind contribute to the weathering of rock and the movement of water and wind cause erosion. You also found that the force of gravity and temperature play a role in reshaping the landscape around us.

What is the difference between weathering, erosion, and Deposition?

In your notebook, check your definitions:

Weathering is the breaking down of rock into smaller pieces that remain next to each other. Weathering forms sediment. There are two types: chemical and mechanical. Erosion is the movement of sediments from one place to another through the action of wind, water, ice (such as glaciers), and gravity. Deposition is the laying down of sediments that were carried in from another location.

Some Test Questions to Review:1) A volcanic eruption adds, amongother things, a large amount of lavato the environment. This balanceswhich of the following forces?A gravityB weatheringC erosionD fossilization

2) A student gathered four trays and four different kinds of rock samples — granite,limestone, marble, and sandstone. She tilted the trays, put a rock sample on the topend of each tray, and used a pump to force water continuously through a tube overthe rocks for four days (96 hours). She collected data and recorded observations ofeach rock sample at the end of each day.The results of the student’s investigation will be useful for —F a farmer choosing between contour farming or terracing to prevent erosionG a shorefront property owner wanting to protect his property from chemicalweatheringH a sculptor deciding which type of rock to use in a monumentJ a golf course grounds keeper deciding what kind of turf to plant on the fairwaysand greens

B

H

3) Which of the following events is most likely to cause an environmentaldisturbance in a grassland biome?A earthquakeB volcanic eruptionC hurricaneD fire caused by lightning

4) In 2011, fires in Bastrop County, Texas were the most damaging wildfires in Texas history. The fire spread through the pine trees and scorched nearly 5,700 acres ofBastrop State Park. The majority of the Houston toad’s habitat was lost, and the Lost Pines Forest was greatly affected.As ecological succession began, which of these most likely appeared in the Bastrop forest area first?F Shrubs and treesG Newly developed topsoilH Weeds and grassesJ Lichens on fallen trees

D

H

Post Test Review Remember:

How is an ecoregion different from an environment or ecosystem? An ecoregion is an area defined by its environmental conditions, especially climate, landforms, and soil characteristics. An environment is the air, water, minerals, organisms, and all other external factors surrounding and affecting a specific organism at any time. An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all of the organisms living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving, physical components (air, soil, water, and sunlight) with which theorganisms interact (food chain).

Notes:

How can weathering, erosion, and deposition affect an ecoregion? Due to differing precipitation rates, soil and rock types, wind, and weather conditions, each ecoregion can be affected by weathering, erosion, and deposition in different ways.

The End (Review W. E & D. power points)