Soil and Atmosphere Quiz

The top layer of Earth's crust exposed to the atmosphere. It's crisscrossed by roots, voids left by decayed roots, and animal/worm burrows, which enhance water infiltration.

Water molecules attracted to each other and to soil particles. Plants absorb water from here through their roots.

How easily water flows through soil or rock. Clay has low permeability (slow flow), while sand has high permeability (fast flow).

The layer of soil above the water table where water doesn't completely fill the spaces between soil particles.

The boundary between the unsaturated zone and the saturated zone, marking the level where groundwater is found.

The layer of soil below the water table where all spaces between soil particles are completely filled with water.

The risk of contaminants entering the soil and moving through the unsaturated zone.

Substances that pollute the soil and can potentially reach groundwater.

Bodies of water found within land areas, such as lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams.

Describes still or standing water bodies, like lakes and ponds.

Describes flowing water bodies, like rivers and streams.

The interconnectedness of inland surface waters through rivers, streams, or groundwater.

The variety of living organisms present in a particular habitat.

The influence of inland surface waters on temperature, precipitation, and humidity.

Inland surface waters provide essential water for human uses like drinking, agriculture, and industry.

Smaller, shallower bodies of water compared to lakes, often supporting various aquatic plants and animals.

A wetland area where trees and bushes are dominant, characterized by dense vegetation and wet soils.

Swamps play a crucial role in water flow regulation, contaminant filtration, and providing habitats for various animals.

A large swamp located in South America, known for its diverse wildlife.

A vast wetland area in Florida, famous for its unique ecosystem and wildlife.

A large body of water surrounded by land and having a relatively steady water level.

Lakes formed by the movement of the Earth's crust, commonly caused by faulting, warping, or rifting.

Lakes formed within the craters, calderas, or lava flows of volcanoes.

Lakes provide water for communities, store water for droughts, and generate hydroelectric energy.

Lakes formed when landslides, mudflows, or avalanches block a river's path. These natural barriers create a basin that fills with water.

Examples include Quake Lakes in the US, Lake Balanan in the Philippines, and Lake Buhi in the Philippines.

Lakes common in arid regions where wind activity is strong. Wind erosion creates depressions that act as basins for water collection.

They form in areas where bedrock is made of water-soluble materials. Rainwater dissolves the bedrock, creating cavities that eventually fill with water.

Bedrock containing water-soluble materials like limestone, gypsum, and dolomite.

A depression in the ground that forms when soluble bedrock collapses due to dissolution by water. Sinkholes can eventually fill with water, forming deeper lakes.

Aeolian lakes are found in arid regions with strong wind activity.

Solution lakes are found on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia and in Florida.

The continuous, predictable movement of ocean water driven by factors like wind, temperature differences, salinity, and gravity.

Ocean currents that carry water from the surface towards the ocean floor.

Downwelling occurs when surface water is forced downwards by converging currents, wind pushing against coastlines, or denser water sinking due to temperature or salinity.

Downwelling is important because it brings oxygenated water to the deep ocean, which is essential for marine life and helps regulate the global climate.

Wind creates surface currents by pushing water across the surface, just like a breeze can move leaves on a lake.

Gravity acts on water that is piled up due to wind or other forces, pulling it downhill and creating currents.

Salinity differences create density variations in water, leading to currents. Saltier water is denser and sinks, while less salty water rises.

A warm ocean current that brings warm water and temperate weather to Western Europe, affecting the climate of that region.

The atmospheric layer above the tropopause, extending roughly 40 km high, containing about 10% of the atmosphere's mass.

A region within the stratosphere with high concentrations of ozone (O3) that absorbs harmful UV radiation from the sun.

The boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere, marked by a temperature inversion.

Temperature increases with altitude in the upper stratosphere due to the absorption of UV radiation by ozone.

A condition where temperature remains constant with changes in altitude.

The ozone layer within the stratosphere absorbs harmful UV radiation from the sun, protecting life on Earth.

The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface to about 12 km, where most weather occurs.

The troposphere contains most of the atmosphere's water vapor, aerosols, and is where weather systems form.