Water Resources and Groundwater Management

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Questions and Answers

What is an aquifer?

A permeable layer of rock and sediment that contains Groundwater.

Which of these options are correct? (Select all that apply)

Unconfined aquifers are rapidly recharged by water that percolates downward from the land surface. (correct)

Confined aquifers are capped by an impermeable layer of rock or clay, which can cause water pressure to build up underground. (correct)

Aquifers are a source of usable groundwater. (correct)

Artesian wells are formed when a well is drilled into a confined aquifer and the natural pressure causes water to rise toward the ground surface. (correct)

What is the uppermost level at which the water in a given area fully saturates rock or soil?

Water table

Groundwater recharge is the process by which water percolates through the soil and works its way into an aquifer.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is a natural source of water formed when water from an aquifer percolates up to the ground surface?

Spring Signup and view all the answers

What is a well created by drilling a hole into a confined aquifer?

Artesian well Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the aquifer, also called the High Plains aquifer, that is the largest aquifer in the United States?

Ogallala aquifer Signup and view all the answers

What is an area lacking groundwater due to rapid withdrawal by a well?

Cone of depression Signup and view all the answers

What is an infiltration of saltwater in an area where groundwater pressure has been reduces from extensive drilling of wells?

Saltwater Intrusion Signup and view all the answers

What is water that exists aboveground that includes streams, rivers, ponds, and wetlands?

Surface water Signup and view all the answers

What is the land adjacent to a river?

Floodplain Signup and view all the answers

What is an enlarged bank built up on each side of a river?

Levee Signup and view all the answers

What is a structure built to prevent ocean waters from flooding adjacent land?

Dike Signup and view all the answers

What is a barrier that runs across a river or stream to control the flow of water?

Dam Signup and view all the answers

What is the water body created by a damming a river or stream?

Reservoir Signup and view all the answers

What is a stair-like structure that allows migrating fish to get around a dam?

Fish ladder Signup and view all the answers

What is a canal, ditch, or pipe used to carry water from one location to another?

Aqueduct Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of removing the salt from saltwater?

Desalination Signup and view all the answers

What is a process of desalination in which water is boiled and the resulting steam is captured and condensed to yield pure water?

Distillation Signup and view all the answers

What is a process of desalination in water water is forced through a thin, semipermeable membrane at high pressure?

Reverse Osmosis Signup and view all the answers

What is the total daily per capita use of freshwater?

Water footprint Signup and view all the answers

What is the cultivation of plants in greenhouse conditions by immersing roots in a nutrient-rich solution?

Hydroponic agriculture Signup and view all the answers

What is a style of landscaping that removes water-intensive vegetation from lawns and replaces it with more water-efficient native landscaping?

Xeriscaping Signup and view all the answers

What is wastewater from baths, showers, bathrooms, and washing machines?

Gray water Signup and view all the answers

What is wastewater from toilets, kitchen sinks, and dishwashers?

Contaminated water Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Water Resources and Water Use

Water is vital for life, but only a small percentage is accessible for human use
Most fresh water is frozen in glaciers and ice caps, not readily available.

Groundwater

Groundwater is water found underground; crucial for human needs
Aquifer: A permeable layer of rock or sediment holding groundwater
- Unconfined aquifer: Groundwater flows freely through soil and porous rock above.
- Confined aquifer: Groundwater is trapped below an impermeable layer, causing potential pressure for wells.
Water table: The upper level where groundwater saturates the soil
Groundwater recharge: The process where water seeps into aquifers via precipitation
Spring: Natural outflow of groundwater to the surface
Artesian well: A well tapping into a confined aquifer, with groundwater naturally rising.
Cone of depression: When groundwater is pumped too quickly, creating a dip in the water table near a well.
Saltwater intrusion: Saltwater can intrude into freshwater aquifers due to lowered pressure from excessive well pumping.

Ogallala Aquifer

The Ogallala Aquifer is the largest in the U.S., supporting vital agricultural activity
Extensive groundwater withdrawals for irrigation have depleted the aquifer significantly since 1950, causing a decline in water levels by several meters.

Surface Water

Surface water includes streams, rivers, ponds, and wetlands, forming aquatic biomes.
Early human civilizations typically established settlements along major rivers for the readily available water source.
Floodplain: Land adjacent to a river, prone to flooding when the river overflows.

Atmospheric Water and Precipitation

Atmospheric water is essential to global water distribution.
Impermeable surfaces (pavement, buildings) prevent water from seeping into the ground, reducing recharging of groundwater.
This is a crucial factor for water availability in urban areas.

Human Alteration of Water Availability

Levees and Dikes: Structures constructed to prevent flooding along rivers and coastlines
Dams: Barriers restricting river flow, creating reservoirs, but altering ecosystems downstream
Aqueducts: Channels conveying water from one place to another for human needs, but can have negative impacts on ecosystems.
Desalination: The process of removing salt from saltwater to produce freshwater
- Distillation: Using heat to convert water to steam, then condensing it into freshwater
- Reverse Osmosis: Pumping freshwater through a membrane to filter out salt.

Water Use

Water use in agriculture, industry & households varies significantly by region.
Irrigation techniques include furrow, flood, spray & drip, with hydroponic being an alternative approach for higher efficiency
Industrial water use includes generating electricity, cooling machinery and refining metals.
Household water use accounts for a portion of total water use but varies by nation and can often be reduced with conservation strategies.
Water footprint: Total daily per capita use of freshwater globally, used to track water consumption.

Water Conservation

Water conservation strategies are needed, including water-pricing systems, xeriscaping and removing water-demanding sources, for future water sustainability.
Gray water and contaminated water are reused in some areas.

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Description

This quiz covers essential concepts related to water resources, including the importance of groundwater and how it is accessed. You will explore topics like aquifers, groundwater recharge, and the implications of over-pumping. Test your knowledge on critical aspects of water use and conservation.