8.E.1 Understand the hydrosphere and the impact of humans on local systems and the effects of the hydrosphere on humans.
- 8.E.1.1 Explain the structure of the hydrosphere including:
- Water distribution on earth
- Local river basin and water availability
- 8.E.1.2 Summarize evidence that Earth’s oceans are a reservoir of nutrients, minerals, dissolved gases, and life forms:
- Estuaries
- Marine ecosystems
- Upwelling
- Behavior of gases in the marine environment
- Value and sustainability of marine resources
- Deep ocean technology and understandings gained
- 8.E.1.3 Predict the safety and potability of water supplies in North Carolina based on physical and biological factors, including:
- Temperature
- Dissolved oxygen
- pH
- Nitrates and phosphates
- Turbidity
- Bio-indicators
- 8.E.1.4 Conclude that the good health of humans requires:
- Monitoring of the hydrosphere
- Water quality standards
- Methods of water treatment
- Maintaining safe water quality
- Stewardship
8.E.2 Understand the history of Earth and its life forms based on evidence of change recorded in fossil records and landforms.
- 8.E.2.1 Infer the age of Earth and relative age of rocks and fossils from index fossils and ordering of rock layers (relative dating and radioactive dating).
- 8.E.2.2 Explain the use of fossils, ice cores, composition of sedimentary rocks, faults, and igneous rock formations found in rock layers as evidence of the history of the Earth and its changing life forms.