Hydrology: Water Cycle and Resources
20 Questions
2 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which process describes water movement from the ground to the surface or oceans?

  • Surface runoff
  • Groundwater (correct)
  • Evapotranspiration
  • Infiltration

What percentage of Earth's surface is covered by water?

  • 65%
  • 90%
  • 50%
  • 71% (correct)

What is the primary natural component that includes snow or rain?

  • Evapotranspiration
  • Surface runoff
  • Infiltration
  • Precipitation (correct)

Which term defines natural formations where water accumulates underground?

<p>Aquifers (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main consequence of groundwater mining?

<p>Drying up of springs and streams (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process involves the movement of water from the soil, water bodies, and living organisms?

<p>Evapotranspiration (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the volume comparison between groundwater and surface water?

<p>Groundwater is 40 times larger than surface water (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How deep can accessible groundwater typically be found below the ground?

<p>750m (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of freshwater on Earth is found in surface water?

<p>1% (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can result from the lowering of the water table due to excessive groundwater withdrawal?

<p>Compaction of the aquifer (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary cause of water contamination?

<p>Untreated sewage (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which country holds the largest percentage of the world's liquid freshwater compared to its population?

<p>Canada (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What process is used to convert saltwater into freshwater?

<p>Desalination (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sectors withdraws the most freshwater for human activity?

<p>Agriculture (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What environmental concern is associated with large-scale desalination?

<p>Negative effects on local marine ecosystems (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 aims to protect water bodies from which of the following?

<p>Land-based pollution sources (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly illustrates the unequal distribution of freshwater?

<p>Asia has 60% of the world's population with only 30% of liquid freshwater (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a main characteristic of groundwater that complicates monitoring?

<p>It is hidden from view (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ingredient is commonly used in agricultural practices that can lead to water contamination?

<p>Chemical fertilizers (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statistic accurately depicts China's relationship between population and liquid freshwater resources?

<p>19% of the population has 7% of liquid freshwater (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Precipitation

Water falling from the atmosphere, like rain or snow.

Infiltration

Water soaking into the ground.

Surface Runoff

Water flowing over the land surface.

Groundwater

Water stored underground in the soil or rocks.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Evpotranspiration

Water released into the atmosphere from plants and soil.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Reservoir

Natural or artificial body of water where water accumulates.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Surface Water

Water found on the Earth's surface, like rivers and lakes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Aquifer

Underground layer of rock and soil that holds groundwater.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Groundwater Mining

Withdrawing groundwater faster than it can replenish.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Water Table

The top of the groundwater.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Groundwater monitoring challenge

Groundwater is difficult to monitor because it's hidden underground.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Water contamination causes

Untreated sewage, agricultural chemicals, and industrial leaks cause water contamination.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Philippine Clean Water Act

An act to protect Philippine water bodies from pollution.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Uneven freshwater distribution

Freshwater is not spread equally around the world.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Freshwater withdrawal

Water taken from nature for human use in agriculture, industry, and homes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Desalination

Removing salt from saltwater to get freshwater.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Agricultural water use

Water used to grow crops and raise livestock.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Industrial water use

Water used in manufacturing and making products.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Domestic water use

Water used for everyday activities like showering, laundry, and drinking.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Environmental impact of desalination

Large-scale desalination has negative environmental effects that must be considered.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

Hydrologic Cycle

  • Precipitation (snow or rain) falls, some infiltrates the soil

  • Surface runoff flows to the oceans

  • Groundwater moves to the surface or oceans

  • Evapotranspiration is the movement of water from water bodies, soil, and living things

  • Water makes up 71% of the Earth's surface

  • 97% of the Earth's water is saltwater

  • 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

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

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.

More Like This

Hydrologic Cycle Quiz
5 questions

Hydrologic Cycle Quiz

UndauntedKunzite avatar
UndauntedKunzite
Hydrology GEG 3102 Course Topics
21 questions

Hydrology GEG 3102 Course Topics

SustainablePalladium731 avatar
SustainablePalladium731
Idrologia: Ciclo, Distribuzione e Processi
32 questions
Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser