Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which process describes water movement from the ground to the surface or oceans?
Which process describes water movement from the ground to the surface or oceans?
What percentage of Earth's surface is covered by water?
What percentage of Earth's surface is covered by water?
What is the primary natural component that includes snow or rain?
What is the primary natural component that includes snow or rain?
Which term defines natural formations where water accumulates underground?
Which term defines natural formations where water accumulates underground?
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What is the main consequence of groundwater mining?
What is the main consequence of groundwater mining?
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Which process involves the movement of water from the soil, water bodies, and living organisms?
Which process involves the movement of water from the soil, water bodies, and living organisms?
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What is the volume comparison between groundwater and surface water?
What is the volume comparison between groundwater and surface water?
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How deep can accessible groundwater typically be found below the ground?
How deep can accessible groundwater typically be found below the ground?
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What percentage of freshwater on Earth is found in surface water?
What percentage of freshwater on Earth is found in surface water?
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What can result from the lowering of the water table due to excessive groundwater withdrawal?
What can result from the lowering of the water table due to excessive groundwater withdrawal?
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What is a primary cause of water contamination?
What is a primary cause of water contamination?
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Which country holds the largest percentage of the world's liquid freshwater compared to its population?
Which country holds the largest percentage of the world's liquid freshwater compared to its population?
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What process is used to convert saltwater into freshwater?
What process is used to convert saltwater into freshwater?
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Which of the following sectors withdraws the most freshwater for human activity?
Which of the following sectors withdraws the most freshwater for human activity?
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What environmental concern is associated with large-scale desalination?
What environmental concern is associated with large-scale desalination?
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The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 aims to protect water bodies from which of the following?
The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 aims to protect water bodies from which of the following?
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Which of the following correctly illustrates the unequal distribution of freshwater?
Which of the following correctly illustrates the unequal distribution of freshwater?
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What is a main characteristic of groundwater that complicates monitoring?
What is a main characteristic of groundwater that complicates monitoring?
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Which ingredient is commonly used in agricultural practices that can lead to water contamination?
Which ingredient is commonly used in agricultural practices that can lead to water contamination?
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Which statistic accurately depicts China's relationship between population and liquid freshwater resources?
Which statistic accurately depicts China's relationship between population and liquid freshwater resources?
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Study Notes
Hydrologic Cycle
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Precipitation (snow or rain) falls, some infiltrates the soil
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Surface runoff flows to the oceans
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Groundwater moves to the surface or oceans
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Evapotranspiration is the movement of water from water bodies, soil, and living things
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Water makes up 71% of the Earth's surface
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97% of the Earth's water is saltwater
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1% of the freshwater is in surface water
Surface Water
- 1% of the Earth's freshwater
- Naturally or artificially in formations where water accumulates (reservoirs)
Groundwater
- Subsurface water in pore spaces of regolith and bedrock
- 40 times larger than surface water
- Accessible groundwater is no more than 750m below the ground
- Natural formations where water accumulates underground are called aquifers
Groundwater Mining
- If the rate of groundwater withdrawal exceeds natural recharge, the volume of groundwater decreases.
- This can lead to:
- Lowering of the water table
- Drying up of springs and streams
- Aquifer compaction
- Land subsidence
- Groundwater is difficult to monitor because it's hidden from view
Water Contamination
- Main causes include:
- Untreated sewage
- Agricultural pesticides and fertilizers
- Leakage from gas stations, refineries, and other industries
Freshwater Distribution
- Not evenly distributed globally
- Examples (countries/regions & percentages):
- Canada (20% liquid freshwater)
- China (7% liquid freshwater)
- Asia (30% liquid freshwater)
- Note that these are approximations reflecting population percentages and freshwater availability
Freshwater Withdrawals
- Amount of water taken from natural environments for human activity
- Uses include agriculture, industry, and domestic purposes
Desalination
- Process of extracting freshwater from saltwater by removing salt content
- Thermal desalination is one method
- Increasingly popular but with potential environmental impacts
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Description
Explore the fundamental concepts of the hydrologic cycle, including precipitation, surface water, and groundwater. This quiz delves into the different forms of water storage and the implications of groundwater mining. Test your knowledge on how water moves through our environment and its importance to Earth.
