Deck 6: Water on Earth

Question 1

The net movement of free water molecules away from a wet surface into air that is less than saturated is known as

A)sublimation.
B)evaporation.
C)precipitation.
D)deposition.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The hydrologic cycle

A)is the groundwater component of the global water cycle.
B)refers to the highly localized transfer of water from plants and soils to the atmosphere and back.
C)is limited to freshwater circulation in the hydrosphere.
D)involves the continuous movement of water in all its states throughout the lower atmosphere,biosphere,lithosphere,and hydrosphere.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the amount of water in rivers,streams,and the atmosphere?

A)They contain 0.033 percent of the worldʹs fresh water supply.
B)The amount of the worldʹs fresh water in rivers and streams is greater than that in the atmosphere.
C)They contain 11.02% of the worldʹs fresh water supplies.
D)Combined,they contain the majority of the worldʹs freshwater.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Some of Earthʹs water supply originated from

A)asteroids.
B)gases expelled from the Sun; i.e.,solar wind.
C)icy comets.
D)photosynthesis.

Question 5

Which of the following is TRUE regarding freshwater on Earth?

A)Most of it is in freshwater lakes,rivers,and streams.
B)Most of it is groundwater.
C)Most of it is frozen in glaciers and ice caps.
D)Most of it is in large lakes.

Question 6

Earthʹs oceans possess

A)about the same amount of water as is in the atmosphere.
B)fifty percent of Earthʹs waters.
C)ninety-seven percent of Earthʹs waters.
D)most of the fresh water on Earth.

Question 7

Eustasy refers to

A)a steady-state equilibrium in the water system.
B)the amount of new water from outgassing volcanoes.
C)changes in the total amount of water on Earth.
D)worldwide changes in sea level.

Question 8

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the hydrologic cycle?

A)Twenty-two percent of Earthʹs precipitation falls over the oceans.
B)Very little moisture is evaporated from the sea to the land.
C)The bulk of the precipitation occurs over land.
D)Seventy-eight percent of all precipitation falls on the oceans.

Question 9

The largest portion of fresh water today is located in

A)ice caps and glaciers.
B)groundwater resources.
C)clouds.
D)the major rivers and lakes of the world.

Question 10

Glacio-eustatic factors refer to

A)changes in sea level related to the increase or decrease in quantities of ice.
B)a steady-state equilibrium in the water system.
C)changes in sea level related to the melting of icebergs.
D)changes in the total amount of water on Earth.

Question 11

The Ocean contains the largest volume of water.

A)Pacific
B)Arctic
C)Atlantic
D)Indian

Question 12

Water covers approximately of Earthʹs surface.

A)50 percent
B)71 percent
C)25 percent
D)90 percent

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a main component of the hydrologic cycle?

A)Atmosphere
B)Surface
C)Subsurface
D)Cryosphere

Question 14

The movement of water into the atmosphere from plants is

A)evaporation.
B)sublimation.
C)transpiration.
D)precipitation.

Question 15

Which of the following is TRUE of the distribution of land and water on Earth?

A)The Southern Hemisphere is dominated by water.
B)The Northern Hemisphere is dominated by water.
C)They are evenly distributed in both hemispheres.

Question 16

Approximately countries are currently experiencing water shortages.

A)5
B)10
C)80
D)165

Question 17

Other than ice sheets and glaciers,the largest repository of fresh water is located in

A)soil moisture storage.
B)groundwater.
C)rivers and streams.
D)lakes and saline seas.

Question 18

An estimated percent of Earthʹs evaporation occurs over oceans.

A)71
B)97
C)86
D)16

Question 19

The hydrologic cycle doesnʹt include water

A)in the atmosphere.
B)from the liquid outer core.
C)at a depth of up to several kilometers below the surface.
D)at the surface of Earth and in the oceans.

Question 20

Outgassing refers to

A)the dynamic equilibrium between surface and ocean water.
B)changes in the total amount of water on Earth through evapotranspiration.
C)process in which water and water vapor emerge from deep layers within and below Earthʹs crust.
D)a steady-state equilibrium in the water system caused by cycles of evaporation and condensation.

Question 21

An estimated percent of Earthʹs precipitation occurs over oceans.

A)22
B)78
C)8
D)14

Question 22

The downslope,unchannelized flow of water across the surface is known as

A)overland flow.
B)throughfall.
C)stem flow.
D)infiltration.

Question 23

occurs when precipitation lands on vegetation or other land cover before reaching the surface.

A)Interception
B)Surface runoff
C)Infiltration
D)Overland flow

Question 24

Transpiration refers to

A)the movement of free water molecules away from a wet surface.
B)an amount of moisture loss from the surface that cannot be measured.
C)the outward movement of water from plant leaves.
D)evaporation.

Question 25

Soil moisture tightly bound to each soil particle and unavailable for plant use is termed water.

A)capillary
B)available
C)gravitational
D)hygroscopic

Question 26

Evapotranspiration from Earthʹs land surface represents percent of water entering the atmosphere.

A)78
B)44
C)14
D)86

Question 27

Precipitation that falls directly to the ground is known as

A)overland flow.
B)infiltration.
C)stem flow.
D)throughfall.

Question 28

Soil moisture that plants are capable of accessing and using is called

A)wilting point water.
B)free molecular water.
C)hygroscopic water.
D)capillary water.

Question 29

If precipitation and soil moisture are inadequate to meet potential evapotranspiration demands,the moisture condition is described as

A)a surplus.
B)soil moisture utilization.
C)actual evapotranspiration.
D)a deficit.

Question 30

An estimated percent of precipitation over land infiltrates the subsurface,of which percent returns to the atmosphere via evapotranspiration.

A)44; 80
B)35; 97
C)76; 85
D)75; 75

Question 31

Which of the following types of water is accessible to plants?

A)Capillary
B)Transpired water
C)Deficit water
D)Hygroscopic

Question 32

Water enters the soil in a process called ,and then moves downward through the soil in a process called .

A)throughfall; percolation
B)percolation; infiltration
C)percolation; throughfall
D)infiltration; percolation

Question 33

occurs when soil soaks water into the subsurface

A)Overland flow
B)Infiltration
C)Stem flow
D)Throughfall

Question 34

A water surplus occurs when

A)the potential evapotranspiration demand cannot be satisfied by precipitation inputs.
B)additional water exists after potential evapotranspiration is satisfied by precipitation inputs.
C)the additional inputs of water into a system are not enough to satisfy potential evapotranspiration.
D)potential evapotranspiration is greater than soil moisture.

Question 35

Which of the following is TRUE of potential evapotranspiration in North America?

A)The highest amounts are received in the U.S.Pacific Northwest.
B)The lowest amounts occur in the Southwest and southern Texas.
C)The highest amounts are received in the Midwest.
D)The lowest amounts occur in northern Canada.

Question 36

The subsurface are in which all pore spaces are completely fill with water is known as

A)water table.
B)gravitational zone.
C)zone of saturation.
D)base flow.

Question 37

In the water budget,is the major ʺreceiptʺ and is the major ʺexpenditure.ʺ

A)precipitation; evapotranspiration
B)outgassing; dissociation
C)evapotranspiration; precipitation
D)insolation; radiative cooling

Question 38

Intercepted water that drains across plant leaves and down their stems to the ground is known as

A)stem flow.
B)overland flow.
C)infiltration.
D)throughfall.

Question 39

The portion of streamflow that consists of groundwater is known as

A)overland flow.
B)surface runoff.
C)base flow.
D)saturated flow.

Question 40

Which of the following would decrease the rate at which evapotranspiration occurs?

A)Increased wind speed
B)Increased humidity
C)Increased temperatures
D)Increased water availability

Question 41

A drought defined based on decreases in streamflow,lowering of reservoir levels,and declines in snowpacks is a(n)

A)meteorological drought.
B)agricultural drought.
C)hydrological drought.
D)socioeconomic drought.

Question 42

The water in wetlands is

A)always saltwater.
B)always freshwater.
C)either freshwater or saltwater.
D)too polluted to use as a water resource.

Question 43

A drought defined by the shortage of precipitation and soil moisture effects on crop yield is a(n)

A)meteorological drought.
B)agricultural drought.
C)hydrological drought.
D)socioeconomic drought.

Question 44

Excess surface water percolates through the zone of to reach the zone of and the water table.

A)aeration; saturation
B)hydration; infiltration
C)dehydration; hydration
D)porosity; permeability

Question 45

About 50 percent of the 125,000 km3 (30,000 mi3)of freshwater in lakes is

A)in the Great Lakes.
B)located in the 40 largest lakes.
C)located in just seven lakes.
D)saline.

Question 46

Approximately what percent of the worldʹs irrigation water is from groundwater?

A)15 percent
B)25 percent
C)50 percent
D)80 percent

Question 47

Which of the following is NOT an example of a potential surface water resource?

A)Artificial lakes
B)Rivers
C)Glaciers
D)Aquifers

Question 48

The Colorado River is an exotic stream.This means

A)it mostly flows through arid environments,though its headwaters are located in a region of water surplus.
B)it contains a variety of exotic species,which it transports from its source to all regions through which it flows.
C)it crosses multiple countries,as well as states,in its path to the sea.
D)it is used for multiple purposes,including hydroelectricity generation,irrigation,water supplies,and recreation.

Question 49

Which condition may exist when the potentiometric surface is above ground level

A)artesian water may rise to the surface.
B)a confined aquifer may become an unconfined aquifer.
C)drawdown in the well.
D)groundwater recharge of the aquifer.

Question 50

Hydropower power currently provides the world with approximately of the worldʹs electricity.

A)2/3rds
B)1/4th
C)1/5th
D)1/2

Question 51

A drought defined by the degree of dryness as compared to a regional average and the duration of dryness is a(n)

A)meteorological drought.
B)agricultural drought.
C)hydrological drought.
D)socioeconomic drought.

Question 52

Drawdown refers to

A)the lowering of an aquifer from overuse.
B)the potentiometric surface of an aquifer.
C)the aquifer recharge area.
D)effluent conditions where groundwater feed streamflow.

Question 53

Which of the following is TRUE when the soil is at field capacity?

A)No gravity drainage has occurred.
B)A surplus definitely exists.
C)The capillary force is not acting.
D)The soil is holding the maximum amount of water that it can hold against the pull of gravity.

Question 54

The largest fresh water lake in the world by volume is

A)Lake Superior.
B)Lake Tanganyika.
C)Lake Michigan.
D)Lake Baikal.

Question 55

If one were to map a vertical profile of groundwater resources,which of the following is CORRECT order from top to bottom?

A)Zone of aeration zone of saturation water table impermeable rock
B)Water table zone of aeration zone of saturation impermeable rock
C)Zone of saturation water table zone of aeration impermeable rock
D)Zone of aeration water table zone of saturation impermeable rock

Question 56

Which of the following is NOT a cited benefit of Chinaʹs Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River?

A)Redistribution of water supplies
B)Hydroelectric power
C)Pollution abatement
D)Flood control

Question 57

Approximately what percent of the U.S.population derives a portion of its fresh water from groundwater sources?

A)10 percent
B)30 percent
C)50 percent
D)90 percent

Question 58

The largest reservoir in the world by volume is

A)Lake Kariba.
B)Lake Votka.
C)Lake Guri.
D)Lake Nasser.

Question 59

The California State Water Project is

A)an ambition goal to build a hydroelectric power station larger than Chinaʹs Three Gorges.
B)a multi-year plan designed to harvest rainwater for agricultural purposes.
C)a water conveyance system to distribute water resources throughout the state.
D)a proposed dam of the Colorado River between the Parker and Palo Verde Dam.

Question 60

The main source of groundwater is

A)surface water where it intersects the zone of recharge.
B)precipitation that percolates downward as gravitational water.
C)the zone of aeration above the water table.
D)hygroscopic water in the soil.

Question 61

Which of the following is NOT necessary for an aquifer to exist?

A)Hygroscopic water
B)Porosity
C)Zone of saturation
D)Permeability

Question 62

The permanent removal of water from the immediate water environment is known as

A)nonconsumptive use.
B)consumptive use.
C)water withdrawal.
D)offstream.

Question 63

Which of the following is TRUE regarding groundwater?

A)It is unlimited when compared with the amount of surface water supplies.
B)The total amount of groundwater has been reduced by the mining of water.
C)In terms of total amount,it is second to streams in the United States.
D)When polluted,it is actually easier to clean up than is surface water.

Question 64

Which of the following accurately describes annual groundwater withdrawal in the United States and Canada?

A)The amount withdrawn is equal to river discharges in the United States.
B)The percentage of withdrawals in the United States and Canada are about the same.
C)Withdrawals increased 150 percent between 1950 and 2000.
D)Groundwater pumping is presently not exceeding water recharge rates.

Question 65

Which of the following is a potential source of ground water pollution?

A)Dumps
B)Septic tanks
C)Pesticides and fertilizers
D)Septic tanks,pesticides and fertilizers,and dumps

Question 66

A water-bearing rock stratum is called a(n)

A)water table.
B)aquifer.
C)aquiclude.
D)zone of aeration.

Question 67

Which of the following is an example of the instream use of water?

A)Hydroelectric power production
B)Irrigating crops
C)Water used in the manufacturing process
D)Water for livestock production

Question 68

The overall quantity of water on Earth is constantly fluctuating as evidenced by changes in sea level.

Question 69

Water and water vapor entered Earthʹs early atmosphere through outgassing and eventually led to the formation of Earthʹs ponds,lakes,seas,and,eventually,oceans.

Question 70

The term ʺground water miningʺ refers to

A)the excavation of tunnels to reach ground water.
B)the removal of overlying rock to reach ground water.
C)the removal of ground water at a rate faster than that at which it can be replaced.
D)the use of ground water to mine minerals.

Question 71

The line of contact between the zone of aeration and the zone of saturation is known as the

A)water table.
B)aquiclude.
C)influent line.
D)saturation contact.

Question 72

The term ʺcone of depressionʺ refers to

A)a depression in Earthʹs surface formed by ground water withdrawal.
B)a graphical representation of the decline in the rate of ground water flow as an aquifer dries out.
C)a change in the level of the soil water zone.
D)a depression in the water table formed by rapid ground water withdrawal.

Question 73

Which of the following is NOT considered an issue pertaining to water resources in the future?

A)Pollution will limit the water-resource base.
B)Regional drought will increase pressure on groundwater resources.
C)Growing populations will continue to exploit water resources.
D)Desalination will exacerbate dwindling freshwater supplies.
TRUE/FALSE.Write ʹTʹ if the statement is true and ʹFʹ if the statement is false.

Question 74

Water availability per person is expected to increase within the next 50 years.

Question 75

The largest practical potential source of fresh water in the world is

A)soil moisture.
B)groundwater.
C)ice sheets and glaciers.
D)stream discharge.

Question 76

Which of the following is an example of the nonconsumptive use of water?

A)Municipal treatment of wastewater
B)Hydroelectric power production
C)River navigation
D)Water consumption by humans and livestock

Question 77

The High Plains aquifer

A)has little importance as a freshwater resource.
B)is also known as the Garber-Wellington Aquifer.
C)is North Americaʹs largest known aquifer system.
D)was not heavily mined until the 1960s.

Question 78

Water is a renewable resource,constantly cycling through the environment in the hydrologic cycle.

Question 79

The utilization of aquifers beyond their flow and recharge capacities is known as

A)groundwater mining.
B)the potentiometric surface.
C)the contact surface.
D)influent conditions.

Question 80

Which of the following is an example of the consumptive use of water?

A)Using water for a bath
B)Hydroelectric power production
C)River navigation
D)Water which evaporates from an irrigated field