Water Resources and Hydrologic Cycle

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Questions and Answers

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

  • 2.5%
  • 71%
  • 0.4%
  • 97.5% (correct)

Which of the following shows the largest percentage of Earth's water resources?

  • Surface water
  • Groundwater
  • Saline water in oceans (correct)
  • Freshwater

What is the primary purpose of the hydrologic cycle?

  • It regulates water temperature in oceans.
  • It purifies water in the atmosphere.
  • It increases the amount of freshwater available.
  • It describes the movement of water among Earth's spheres. (correct)

Which spheres of Earth are involved in the movement of water according to the hydrologic cycle?

<p>Atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Earth's water is freshwater that humans can easily use?

<p>0.4% (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Earth's freshwater is found in the atmosphere?

<p>10% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the movement of water from the atmosphere to the ground?

<p>In dry climates, a higher proportion of precipitation returns to the atmosphere. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated percentage of Earth's surface that consists of freshwater?

<p>0.25% (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which body of water is the largest source of fresh surface water on Earth?

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

What percentage of Earth's freshwater is contained in major drainage or river basins?

<p>45% (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How much of Earth's freshwater is classified as non-renewable?

<p>10% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main method of freshwater returning to the atmosphere?

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

Which of the following factors influences the proportion of precipitation that returns to the atmosphere?

<p>Climatic conditions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process is NOT involved in the hydrologic cycle?

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

What percentage of Earth's freshwater is found in ice caps, glaciers, and permanent snow?

<p>68.7% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which source contains the smallest volume of water?

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

What is the volume of groundwater in cubic kilometers?

<p>23,400,000 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the largest source of Earth's water?

<p>Oceans, Seas, &amp; Bays (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary type of water found in lakes?

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

What percent of total water is found in the atmosphere?

<p>0.04% (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following water sources has the least volume relative to others listed?

<p>Biological Water (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Earth's water resources

Earth's water exists in various forms, primarily in oceans and freshwater.

Earth's surface water

A large percentage of Earth's surface is covered by water.

Freshwater availability

A small percentage of Earth's water is freshwater, usable by humans.

Hydrologic Cycle

Water constantly moves between Earth's systems (atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere).

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Water use

Water is used for various purposes, including everyday human activities.

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Hydrologic Cycle

The continuous movement of water within the Earth's system, including evaporation, precipitation, infiltration, runoff, and transpiration.

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Evaporation

The process where liquid water turns into water vapor, usually due to heat.

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Precipitation

Water released from clouds in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

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Runoff

Water flowing over the land surface into streams and rivers.

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Freshwater

Water that contains low amounts of dissolved salts, suitable for consumption.

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Earth's Water Distribution

Oceans, ice caps, groundwater, lakes, rivers, and other water sources contain different amounts of water.

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Water Volume (Oceans)

Oceans hold the largest amount of water on Earth.

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Water Volume (Ice)

Ice caps and glaciers contain a significant portion of freshwater.

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Atmospheric Freshwater Proportion

A small percentage (10%) of Earth's freshwater is found in the atmosphere at any given time.

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Precipitation Return to Atmosphere

In drier climates, a larger portion of precipitation returns to the atmosphere compared to wetter climates.

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Surface Freshwater Percentage

Only a small portion (0.25%) of total freshwater is found on the Earth's surface.

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Frozen Freshwater

A significant portion of Earth's freshwater is frozen (not readily usable).

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Surface Water Lakes

Lakes hold the largest amount of readily available surface freshwater.

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River Basins and Freshwater

45% of Earth's surface is covered by river basins which are important freshwater sources.

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Underground Freshwater

A substantial amount of freshwater is held underground.

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Renewable vs. Non-renewable Freshwater

Freshwater can be categorized as renewable (continuously replenished) or non-renewable (limited and not readily replenished).

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Study Notes

Earth's Water Resources

  • Water covers 71% of Earth's surface
  • Only 2.5% of Earth's water is freshwater
  • Only 0.4% of freshwater is readily usable by humans

Earth's Freshwater Distribution

  • 75% of Earth's freshwater is frozen
  • 96% of Earth's freshwater is underground
  • 0.25% of Earth's freshwater is on the surface
  • Lakes are the largest source of surface freshwater

Water Cycle Processes

  • Evaporation: Water turning into vapor
  • Precipitation: Water falling from the atmosphere as rain, snow, sleet, or hail
  • Infiltration: Water soaking into the ground
  • Runoff: Water flowing over the surface
  • Transpiration: Water vapor released by plants
  • Evapotranspiration: Combined process of evaporation and transpiration

Hydrologic Cycle

  • Water constantly moves between different spheres: atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere
  • Water constantly moves between reservoirs and through pathways

Major Water Reservoirs and Pathways

  • Reservoirs: Oceans, glaciers, groundwater, lakes, rivers
  • Pathways: Evaporation, transpiration, precipitation, runoff, infiltration, sublimation

Aquifers

  • Aquifers: underground layers of rock that store water
  • Water stored in aquifers in between intergranular spaces

Water Usage

  • 2.2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water
  • 3.5 billion people lack safely managed sanitation

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