Deck 8: Water Resources

Question 1

Water covers approximately of Earth's surface.

A)50 percent
B)90 percent
C)25 percent
D)71 percent
E)10 percent

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The movement of water into the atmosphere from plants is

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

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The hydrologic cycle

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

Answer 3

A

Question 4

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

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

Question 5

Earth's oceans possess

A)most of the fresh water on Earth.
B)about the same amount of water as is in the atmosphere.
C)fifty percent of Earth's waters.
D)ninety-seven percent of Earth's waters.
E)a small fraction of all water on Earth.

Question 6

Eustasy refers to

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

Question 7

Land and water hemispheres.Two perspectives that roughly illustrate Earth's ocean hemisphere and land hemisphere 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)Most of Earth's water is in the Atlantic basin.
D)The greatest amount of Earth's water is found in the Arctic Ocean.
E)The Northern Hemisphere has fewer land masses than the Southern Hemisphere.

Question 8

The hydrologic cycle model.Water travels endlessly through the hydrosphere,atmosphere,lithosphere,and biosphere.The triangles show global average values as percentages.Note that all evaporation (86% + 14% = 100%)equals all precipitation (78% + 22% = 100%)and that advection in the atmosphere is balanced by surface runoff,streamflow,and groundwater flow when all of Earth is considered. Evapotranspiration from the Earth's land surface represents percent of water entering the atmosphere.

A)44
B)86
C)14
D)78
E)20

Question 9

Which of the following is true regarding the amount of freshwater at Earth's surface?

A)Lakes,rivers,and swamps contain 0.3% of the world's freshwater supply.
B)Combined,surface freshwater sources contain the majority of the world's freshwater.
C)The amount of the world's fresh water in rivers and streams is greater than that in the atmosphere.
D)Surface freshwater sources contain 11.02% of the world's fresh water supplies.
E)Of the freshwater supplies in lakes,rivers,and swamps,rivers contain the greatest amount of freshwater.

Question 10

Much of Earth's water supply likely originated from

A)icy comets and planetesimals debris.
B)respiration of early organisms.
C)gases expelled from the Sun,i.e. ,solar wind.
D)photosynthesis.
E)transpiration.

Question 11

Transpiration refers to

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

Question 12

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

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

Question 13

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

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

Question 14

The largest portion of fresh water today is located in

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

Question 15

Which of the following is true regarding freshwater on Earth?

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

Question 16

The hydrologic cycle model.Water travels endlessly through the hydrosphere,atmosphere,lithosphere,and biosphere.The triangles show global average values as percentages.Note that all evaporation (86% + 14% = 100%)equals all precipitation (78% + 22% = 100%)and that advection in the atmosphere is balanced by surface runoff,streamflow,and groundwater flow when all of Earth is considered. What percentage of precipitation occurs over oceans?

A)8
B)14
C)22
D)78
E)86

Question 17

The hydrologic cycle model.Water travels endlessly through the hydrosphere,atmosphere,lithosphere,and biosphere.The triangles show global average values as percentages.Note that all evaporation (86% + 14% = 100%)equals all precipitation (78% + 22% = 100%)and that advection in the atmosphere is balanced by surface runoff,streamflow,and groundwater flow when all of Earth is considered. What percentage of evaporation occurs over oceans?

A)97
B)86
C)71
D)14
E)20

Question 18

Outgassing refers to

A)changes in the total amount of water on Earth through evapotranspiration.
B)a steady-state equilibrium in the water system caused by cycles of evaporation and condensation.
C)the dynamic equilibrium between surface and ocean water.
D)the process in which water and water vapor emerge from deep layers within and below the Earth's crust.
E)condensation of massive amounts of atmospheric water vapor due to rapid changing climatic conditions.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the distribution of water on Earth?

A)Water is evenly distributed across Earth.
B)The Atlantic is the largest ocean basin on Earth.
C)Most of the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean comprise the so-called "water hemisphere."
D)Most of Earth's water is freshwater and is predominately stored in the many lakes around the world.
E)The Northern Hemisphere is dominated by ocean basins.

Question 20

Approximately how much water does Earth's hydrosphere contain?

A)150 million cubic kilometers
B)550 million cubic kilometers
C)750 million cubic kilometers
D)1 billion cubic kilometers
E)5 billion cubic kilometers

Question 21

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

A)capillary
B)gravitational
C)available
D)hygroscopic
E)wilting point water

Question 22

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

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

Question 23

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

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

Question 24

In the water budget,is the major receipt and is the major expenditure.

A)insolation;radiative cooling
B)outgassing;dissociation
C)precipitation;evapotranspiration
D)evapotranspiration;precipitation
E)infiltration;overland flow

Question 25

Precipitation that falls directly to the ground is known as

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

Question 26

The area which contains the volume of subsurface water stored in the soil that is accessible to plant roots is the

A)zone of saturation.
B)gravitational zone.
C)water table.
D)base flow.
E)soil-moisture zone.

Question 27

The portion of streamflow that consists of groundwater is known as

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

Question 28

occurs when precipitation soaks into the subsurface.

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

Question 29

Types and availability of soil moisture Of the following,which soil type has the highest field capacity?

A)loam
B)clay loam
C)silt loam
D)sandy loam
E)sand

Question 30

Suppose a pan of water exposed to the process of evaporation.If water remains in the pan,then which of the following is true?

A)Actual evapotranspiration is higher than potential evapotranspiration.
B)Potential evapotranspiration exceeds actual evapotranspiration.
C)Actual evapotranspiration = potential evapotranspiration.
D)The moisture supply is not enough to meet evaporation demands.
E)The atmosphere is saturated and cannot evaporate any more water.

Question 31

Potential evapotranspiration refers to

A)the average amount of evapotranspiration over an area per unit time.
B)the amount of evapotranspiration measured from an evaporation pan.
C)the amount of evapotranspiration that would occur if available water was not limited.
D)a precise measurement of evapotranspiration using a lysimeter.
E)the amount of water that returns to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration.

Question 32

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

A)76;85
B)35;97
C)75;75
D)44;80
E)10;25

Question 33

Actual evapotranspiration refers to

A)when atmospheric demand exceeds water supply.
B)surplus subtracted from precipitation total.
C)surplus subtracted from potential evapotranspiration.
D)the amount of evapotranspiration that would occur if available water was not limited.
E)the amount of water that returns to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration.

Question 34

The water surplus in the soil body after the soil becomes saturated during a precipitation event is

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

Question 35

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

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

Question 36

Potential evapotranspiration for the United States and Canada-the water demand. Which of the following is true of evapotranspiration in North America?

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

Question 37

Precipitation in North America-the water supply. Which of the following is true of precipitation in North America?

A)The highest amounts occur in the Southwest and Midwest.
B)The highest amounts occur in the Southeast and extreme South.
C)The lowest amounts are received in the Midwest.
D)The lowest amounts are received near Hudson Bay.
E)The highest amounts occur in the Great Plains.

Question 38

The spaces,or voids,between particles in a given volume of soil is called

A)porosity.
B)wilting point.
C)field capacity.
D)available water.
E)unavailable water.

Question 39

When the soil is at field capacity,

A)a surplus definitely exists.
B)no gravity drainage has occurred.
C)excess gravitational water has drained.
D)the capillary force is not acting.
E)water is unavailable to plants.

Question 40

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

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

Question 41

Sample water budgets for stations near Phoenix. Actual evapotranspiration for Phoenix,Arizona is highest during

A)March.
B)January.
C)September.
D)July.
E)August.

Question 42

Which country is the world's leading hydropower producer?

A)China
B)United States
C)Brazil
D)Germany
E)Russia

Question 43

Approximately what percent of the world's irrigation water is from groundwater?

A)5 percent
B)15 percent
C)25 percent
D)50 percent
E)80 percent

Question 44

The water in wetlands is

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

Question 45

The California Water Project is

A)a proposed dam of the Colorado River between the Parker and Palo Verde Dam.
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)an ambitious goal to build a hydroelectric power station larger than China's Three Gorges.
E)a water conservation effort in response to the ongoing California drought.

Question 46

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

A)artificial lakes
B)aquifers
C)glaciers
D)rivers
E)wetlands

Question 47

The largest fresh water lake in the world by volume is

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

Question 48

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

A)meteorological
B)agricultural
C)hydrological
D)socioeconomic
E)climatic

Question 49

When all that remains is the water inaccessible to plants,the has been reached.

A)porosity
B)wilting point
C)field capacity
D)available water
E)unavailable water

Question 50

The difference between the wilting point and field capacity is approximately equal to

A)wilting point water.
B)gravitational water.
C)available water.
D)hygroscopic water.
E)unavailable water.

Question 51

Sample water budget for Kingsport,Tennessee. The water balance for Kingsport,Tennessee exhibits

A)a net water surplus during each month of the year.
B)net demands for water for 10 months of the year.
C)water deficits in the summer months.
D)water deficits each month of the year.
E)a net water surplus in the summer months.

Question 52

Sample water budgets for stations near Phoenix. Potential evapotranspiration for Phoenix,Arizona is highest during

A)March.
B)February.
C)September.
D)July.
E)December.

Question 53

Sample water budgets for stations near Berkeley. Berkeley,CA has the highest amount of precipitation during

A)the spring.
B)the summer.
C)the autumn.
D)the winter.
E)mid-March and mid-October.

Question 54

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

A)meteorological
B)agricultural
C)hydrological
D)socioeconomic
E)climatic

Question 55

Human-made lakes formed by dams are generally known as

A)storage pond.
B)basin.
C)impoundments.
D)lakes.
E)reservoirs.

Question 56

Conservation measures taken in response to California's ongoing drought include all the following except

A)fewer showers.
B)fewer loads of laundry.
C)increased lawn watering.
D)higher rates and fees on water usage.
E)use of only nonpotable water for watering medians.

Question 57

The largest reservoir in the world by volume is

A)Lake Nasser.
B)Lake Kariba.
C)Lake Votka.
D)Lake Guri.
E)Manicougan Reservoir.

Question 58

Meteorologists dubbed the persistent ridge of high pressure responsible for California's ongoing drought the

A)preposterously persistent ridge.
B)nonsensically never-ending ridge.
C)incredibly intractable ridge.
D)absurdly assiduous ridge.
E)ridiculously resilient ridge.

Question 59

Which of the following is not true of wetlands?

A)Large wetlands are an important source of freshwater.
B)Wetlands are an important source of groundwater recharge.
C)Wetlands help improve water quality.
D)Constructed wetlands are used for water purification.
E)Wetlands exacerbate flooding due to saturated soil conditions.

Question 60

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

A)meteorological
B)agricultural
C)hydrological
D)socioeconomic
E)climatic

Question 61

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

A)water table.
B)gravitational zone.
C)zone of aeration.
D)base flow.
E)soil-moisture zone.

Question 62

World population growth since 1970 has reduced the supply of water for each person by

A)half.
B)two-thirds.
C)one-third.
D)a quarter.
E)three quarters.

Question 63

If groundwater mining of the High Plains aquifer were to immediately cease,how long do scientists estimate recovery would take?

A)under 25 years
B)between approximately 50 and 75 years
C)a minimum of 100 years,a maximum of 500 years
D)at current recharge rates,750 years
E)at least 1,000 years

Question 64

The subsurface area in which all pore spaces are completely filled with water is known as the

A)zone of saturation.
B)gravitational zone.
C)water table.
D)zone of aeration.
E)soil-moisture zone.

Question 65

The water table and aquifers If one were to map a vertical profile of an unconfined aquifer,which of the following is correct order from top to bottom?

A)zone of aeration- impermeable rock-water table-zone of saturation
B)water table-zone of aeration-zone of saturation-impermeable rock
C)zone of aeration-zone of saturation-water table-impermeable rock
D)zone of saturation-water table-zone of aeration-impermeable rock
E)zone of aeration-water table-zone of saturation-impermeable rock

Question 66

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

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

Question 67

An aquifer bound above and below by impermeable layers of rock or unconsolidated materials is called a(n)

A)confined aquifer.
B)unconfined aquifer.
C)spring.
D)artesian well.
E)water table.

Question 68

The subsurface area in which water percolates downward through less-than-saturated conditions is the

A)zone of saturation.
B)gravitational zone.
C)zone of aeration.
D)base flow.
E)soil-moisture zone.

Question 69

Water table lowering around wells caused by pumping rates exceeding recharge rates can create a(n)

A)aquitard.
B)aquiclude.
C)cone of depression.
D)artesian well.
E)stream.

Question 70

The term "cone of depression" refers to

A)a change in the level of the soil water zone.
B)a depression in the water table formed by rapid groundwater withdrawal.
C)a depression in Earth's surface formed by groundwater withdrawal.
D)a graphical representation of the decline in the rate of groundwater flow as an aquifer dries out.
E)the area surrounding an artesian well below the potentiometric surface.

Question 71

The solid,impermeable layer that forms the boundary of a confined aquifer is know as a(n)

A)aquitard.
B)aquiclude.
C)spring.
D)artesian well.
E)water table.

Question 72

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

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

Question 73

The High Plains Aquifer irrigates about of all U.S.cropland.

A)half
B)two-thirds
C)one-fifth
D)a quarter
E)three quarters

Question 74

The High Plains Aquifer

A)has little importance as a freshwater resource in the U.S.
B)was not heavily mined until the 1970s.
C)is also known as the Garber-Wellington Aquifer.
D)has been recharging at a rate faster than withdraw over the past two decades.
E)is North America's largest known aquifer system.

Question 75

The main source of groundwater is

A)hygroscopic water in the soil.
B)surface water where it intersects the zone of recharge.
C)precipitation that percolates downward as gravitational water.
D)the zone of aeration above the water table.
E)outgassing from deep within Earth's interior.

Question 76

Approximately people worldwide lack safe drinking water.

A)100 million
B)100,000
C)500 million
D)500,000
E)1 billion

Question 77

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)75 percent
E)90 percent

Question 78

Where the water table intersects the ground surface,a(n)is created.

A)aquitard
B)aquiclude
C)spring
D)artesian well
E)stream

Question 79

Which condition may exist when the pontentiometric surface is above ground level?

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

Question 80

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

A)The percentage of withdrawals in the United States and Canada are about the same.
B)Groundwater pumping is presently not exceeding water recharge rates.
C)Withdrawals increased 150% between 1950 and 2000.
D)The amount of withdrawal is equal to river discharges in the United States.
E)Groundwater is a renewable resource,so rates of withdrawal hasn't been a concern.