Quiz 8: Water on Earth

Approximately how much water does Earth's hydrosphere contain? A)150 million cubic kilometers B)550 million cubic kilometers C)750 million cubic kilometers D)1 billion cubic kilometers E)5 billion cubic kilometers

Much of Earth's water supply likely originated from A)icy comets and planetesimals debris. B)respiration of early organisms. C)gases expelled from the Sun,i.e. ,solar wind. D)photosynthesis. E)transpiration.

Outgassing refers to A)changes in the total amount of water on Earth through evapotranspiration. B)a steady-state equilibrium in the water system caused by cycles of evaporation and condensation. C)the dynamic equilibrium between surface and ocean water. D)the process in which water and water vapor emerge from deep layers within and below the Earth's crust. E)condensation of massive amounts of atmospheric water vapor due to rapid changing climatic conditions.

Water covers approximately of Earth's surface. A)50 percent B)90 percent C)25 percent D)71 percent E)10 percent

Eustasy refers to A)changes in the total amount of water on Earth. B)a steady-state equilibrium in the water system. C)the amount of new water from outgassing volcanoes. D)worldwide changes in sea level. E)the amount of ice stored in continental glaciers.

Which of the following best describes the distribution of water on Earth? A)Water is evenly distributed across Earth. B)The Atlantic is the largest ocean basin on Earth. C)Most of the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean comprise the so-called "water hemisphere." D)Most of Earth's water is freshwater and is predominately stored in the many lakes around the world. E)The Northern Hemisphere is dominated by ocean basins.

Land and water hemispheres.Two perspectives that roughly illustrate Earth's ocean hemisphere and land hemisphere Which of the following is true of the distribution of land and water on Earth? A)The Southern Hemisphere is dominated by water. B)The Northern Hemisphere is dominated by water. C)Most of Earth's water is in the Atlantic basin. D)The greatest amount of Earth's water is found in the Arctic Ocean. E)The Northern Hemisphere has fewer land masses than the Southern Hemisphere.

Earth's oceans possess A)most of the fresh water on Earth. B)about the same amount of water as is in the atmosphere. C)fifty percent of Earth's waters. D)ninety-seven percent of Earth's waters. E)a small fraction of all water on Earth.

Which of the following is true regarding freshwater on Earth? A)Most of it is in large lakes. B)Most of it is frozen in glaciers and ice caps. C)Most of it is in freshwater lakes,rivers,and streams. D)Most of it is groundwater. E)Most of it is atmospheric water vapor.

The largest portion of fresh water today is located in A)clouds. B)groundwater resources. C)ice caps and glaciers. D)the major rivers and lakes of the world. E)swamps.

Other than ice sheets and glaciers,the largest repository of fresh water is located in A)lakes and saline seas. B)groundwater. C)soil moisture storage. D)rivers and streams. E)atmospheric water vapor.

Which of the following is true regarding the amount of freshwater at Earth's surface? A)Lakes,rivers,and swamps contain 0.3% of the world's freshwater supply. B)Combined,surface freshwater sources contain the majority of the world's freshwater. C)The amount of the world's fresh water in rivers and streams is greater than that in the atmosphere. D)Surface freshwater sources contain 11.02% of the world's fresh water supplies. E)Of the freshwater supplies in lakes,rivers,and swamps,rivers contain the greatest amount of freshwater.

The hydrologic cycle A)involves the continuous movement of water in all its states throughout the lower atmosphere,biosphere,lithosphere,and hydrosphere. B)is limited to freshwater circulation in the hydrosphere. C)refers to the highly localized transfer of water from plants and soils to the atmosphere and back. D)is the groundwater component of the global water cycle. E)focuses on surface runoff's contribution to ocean currents.

The hydrologic cycle model.Water travels endlessly through the hydrosphere,atmosphere,lithosphere,and biosphere.The triangles show global average values as percentages.Note that all evaporation (86% + 14% = 100%)equals all precipitation (78% + 22% = 100%)and that advection in the atmosphere is balanced by surface runoff,streamflow,and groundwater flow when all of Earth is considered. What percentage of precipitation occurs over oceans? A)8 B)14 C)22 D)78 E)86

The hydrologic cycle model.Water travels endlessly through the hydrosphere,atmosphere,lithosphere,and biosphere.The triangles show global average values as percentages.Note that all evaporation (86% + 14% = 100%)equals all precipitation (78% + 22% = 100%)and that advection in the atmosphere is balanced by surface runoff,streamflow,and groundwater flow when all of Earth is considered. What percentage of evaporation occurs over oceans? A)97 B)86 C)71 D)14 E)20

The hydrologic cycle model.Water travels endlessly through the hydrosphere,atmosphere,lithosphere,and biosphere.The triangles show global average values as percentages.Note that all evaporation (86% + 14% = 100%)equals all precipitation (78% + 22% = 100%)and that advection in the atmosphere is balanced by surface runoff,streamflow,and groundwater flow when all of Earth is considered. Evapotranspiration from the Earth's land surface represents percent of water entering the atmosphere. A)44 B)86 C)14 D)78 E)20

The net movement of free water molecules away from a wet surface into air that is less than saturated is known as A)precipitation. B)evaporation. C)deposition. D)sublimation. E)condensation.

The movement of water into the atmosphere from plants is A)precipitation. B)evaporation. C)transpiration. D)sublimation. E)deposition

Transpiration refers to A)the movement of free water molecules away from a wet surface. B)the outward movement of water from plant leaves. C)an amount of moisture loss from the surface that cannot be measured. D)evaporation. E)phase change of water from gas directly to a solid.

occurs when precipitation lands on vegetation or other land cover before reaching the surface. A)Infiltration B)Overland flow C)Interception D)Surface runoff E)Channel flow

Intercepted water that drains across plant leaves and down their stems to the ground is known as A)throughfall. B)overland flow. C)infiltration. D)stem flow. E)percolation.

Precipitation that falls directly to the ground is known as A)throughfall. B)overland flow. C)infiltration. D)stem flow. E)percolation.

occurs when precipitation soaks into the subsurface. A)Infiltration B)Overland flow C)Interception D)Surface runoff E)Throughfall

Water enters the soil in a process called ,and then moves downward through the soil in a process called _ . A)percolation;infiltration B)infiltration;percolation C)throughfall;percolation D)percolation;throughfall E)throughfall;infiltration

The downslope,unchannelized flow of water across the surface is known as A)throughfall. B)overland flow. C)infiltration. D)stem flow. E)percolation.

An estimated percent of precipitation over land infiltrates the subsurface,of which percent returns to the atmosphere via evapotranspiration. A)76;85 B)35;97 C)75;75 D)44;80 E)10;25

The area which contains the volume of subsurface water stored in the soil that is accessible to plant roots is the A)zone of saturation. B)gravitational zone. C)water table. D)base flow. E)soil-moisture zone.

The portion of streamflow that consists of groundwater is known as A)base flow. B)saturated flow. C)overland flow. D)surface runoff. E)interception.

In the water budget,is the major receipt and is the major expenditure. A)insolation;radiative cooling B)outgassing;dissociation C)precipitation;evapotranspiration D)evapotranspiration;precipitation E)infiltration;overland flow

Precipitation in North America-the water supply. Which of the following is true of precipitation in North America? A)The highest amounts occur in the Southwest and Midwest. B)The highest amounts occur in the Southeast and extreme South. C)The lowest amounts are received in the Midwest. D)The lowest amounts are received near Hudson Bay. E)The highest amounts occur in the Great Plains.

Actual evapotranspiration refers to A)when atmospheric demand exceeds water supply. B)surplus subtracted from precipitation total. C)surplus subtracted from potential evapotranspiration. D)the amount of evapotranspiration that would occur if available water was not limited. E)the amount of water that returns to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration.

Potential evapotranspiration refers to A)the average amount of evapotranspiration over an area per unit time. B)the amount of evapotranspiration measured from an evaporation pan. C)the amount of evapotranspiration that would occur if available water was not limited. D)a precise measurement of evapotranspiration using a lysimeter. E)the amount of water that returns to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration.

Potential evapotranspiration for the United States and Canada-the water demand. Which of the following is true of evapotranspiration in North America? A)The lowest amounts occur in the Southwest and southern Texas. B)The lowest amounts occur in northern Canada. C)The highest amounts occur in the Midwest. D)The highest amounts occur in the U.S.Pacific Northwest. E)The highest amounts occur in the northeastern United States.

Suppose a pan of water exposed to the process of evaporation.If water remains in the pan,then which of the following is true? A)Actual evapotranspiration is higher than potential evapotranspiration. B)Potential evapotranspiration exceeds actual evapotranspiration. C)Actual evapotranspiration = potential evapotranspiration. D)The moisture supply is not enough to meet evaporation demands. E)The atmosphere is saturated and cannot evaporate any more water.

The water surplus in the soil body after the soil becomes saturated during a precipitation event is A)wilting point water. B)free molecular water. C)capillary water. D)hygroscopic water. E)gravitational water.

Soil moisture that plants are capable of accessing and using is called A)wilting point water. B)free molecular water. C)capillary water. D)hygroscopic water. E)gravitational water.

Soil moisture tightly bound to each soil particle and unavailable for plant use is termed water. A)capillary B)gravitational C)available D)hygroscopic E)wilting point water

When the soil is at field capacity, A)a surplus definitely exists. B)no gravity drainage has occurred. C)excess gravitational water has drained. D)the capillary force is not acting. E)water is unavailable to plants.

Types and availability of soil moisture Of the following,which soil type has the highest field capacity? A)loam B)clay loam C)silt loam D)sandy loam E)sand

The spaces,or voids,between particles in a given volume of soil is called A)porosity. B)wilting point. C)field capacity. D)available water. E)unavailable water.

When all that remains is the water inaccessible to plants,the has been reached. A)porosity B)wilting point C)field capacity D)available water E)unavailable water

The difference between the wilting point and field capacity is approximately equal to A)wilting point water. B)gravitational water. C)available water. D)hygroscopic water. E)unavailable water.

Sample water budget for Kingsport,Tennessee. The water balance for Kingsport,Tennessee exhibits A)a net water surplus during each month of the year. B)net demands for water for 10 months of the year. C)water deficits in the summer months. D)water deficits each month of the year. E)a net water surplus in the summer months.

Sample water budgets for stations near Berkeley. Berkeley,CA has the highest amount of precipitation during A)the spring. B)the summer. C)the autumn. D)the winter. E)mid-March and mid-October.

Sample water budgets for stations near Phoenix. Potential evapotranspiration for Phoenix,Arizona is highest during A)March. B)February. C)September. D)July. E)December.

Sample water budgets for stations near Phoenix. Actual evapotranspiration for Phoenix,Arizona is highest during A)March. B)January. C)September. D)July. E)August.

A drought defined by the degree of dryness as compared to a regional average and the duration of dryness is a(n)drought. A)meteorological B)agricultural C)hydrological D)socioeconomic E)climatic

A drought defined by the shortage of precipitation and soil moisture effects on crop yield is a(n)drought. A)meteorological B)agricultural C)hydrological D)socioeconomic E)climatic

A drought defined based on decreases in streamflow,lowering of reservoir levels,and declines in snowpack is a(n)drought. A)meteorological B)agricultural C)hydrological D)socioeconomic E)climatic

Meteorologists dubbed the persistent ridge of high pressure responsible for California's ongoing drought the A)preposterously persistent ridge. B)nonsensically never-ending ridge. C)incredibly intractable ridge. D)absurdly assiduous ridge. E)ridiculously resilient ridge.

Conservation measures taken in response to California's ongoing drought include all the following except A)fewer showers. B)fewer loads of laundry. C)increased lawn watering. D)higher rates and fees on water usage. E)use of only nonpotable water for watering medians.

Which of the following is not an example of a potential surface water resource? A)artificial lakes B)aquifers C)glaciers D)rivers E)wetlands

The largest fresh water lake in the world by volume is A)Lake Superior. B)Lake Michigan. C)Lake Huron. D)Lake Tanganyika. E)Lake Baikal.

Human-made lakes formed by dams are generally known as A)storage pond. B)basin. C)impoundments. D)lakes. E)reservoirs.

The largest reservoir in the world by volume is A)Lake Nasser. B)Lake Kariba. C)Lake Votka. D)Lake Guri. E)Manicougan Reservoir.

Which country is the world's leading hydropower producer? A)China B)United States C)Brazil D)Germany E)Russia

The California Water Project is A)a proposed dam of the Colorado River between the Parker and Palo Verde Dam. B)a multi-year plan designed to harvest rainwater for agricultural purposes. C)a water conveyance system to distribute water resources throughout the state. D)an ambitious goal to build a hydroelectric power station larger than China's Three Gorges. E)a water conservation effort in response to the ongoing California drought.

The water in wetlands is A)always freshwater. B)always saltwater. C)either freshwater or saltwater. D)too polluted to use as a water resource. E)brackish.

Which of the following is not true of wetlands? A)Large wetlands are an important source of freshwater. B)Wetlands are an important source of groundwater recharge. C)Wetlands help improve water quality. D)Constructed wetlands are used for water purification. E)Wetlands exacerbate flooding due to saturated soil conditions.

Approximately what percent of the world's irrigation water is from groundwater? A)5 percent B)15 percent C)25 percent D)50 percent E)80 percent

Approximately what percent of the U.S.population derives a portion of its fresh water from groundwater sources? A)10 percent B)30 percent C)50 percent D)75 percent E)90 percent

Which of the following accurately describes annual groundwater withdrawal in the United States and Canada? A)The percentage of withdrawals in the United States and Canada are about the same. B)Groundwater pumping is presently not exceeding water recharge rates. C)Withdrawals increased 150% between 1950 and 2000. D)The amount of withdrawal is equal to river discharges in the United States. E)Groundwater is a renewable resource,so rates of withdrawal hasn't been a concern.

The main source of groundwater is A)hygroscopic water in the soil. B)surface water where it intersects the zone of recharge. C)precipitation that percolates downward as gravitational water. D)the zone of aeration above the water table. E)outgassing from deep within Earth's interior.

The subsurface area in which water percolates downward through less-than-saturated conditions is the A)zone of saturation. B)gravitational zone. C)zone of aeration. D)base flow. E)soil-moisture zone.

The subsurface area in which all pore spaces are completely filled with water is known as the A)zone of saturation. B)gravitational zone. C)water table. D)zone of aeration. E)soil-moisture zone.

The line of contact between the zone of aeration and the zone of saturation is known as the A)water table. B)gravitational zone. C)zone of aeration. D)base flow. E)soil-moisture zone.

A water-bearing rock stratum is called a(n) A)water table. B)aquiclude. C)zone of aeration. D)aquifer. E)aquitard.

The water table and aquifers If one were to map a vertical profile of an unconfined aquifer,which of the following is correct order from top to bottom? A)zone of aeration- impermeable rock-water table-zone of saturation B)water table-zone of aeration-zone of saturation-impermeable rock C)zone of aeration-zone of saturation-water table-impermeable rock D)zone of saturation-water table-zone of aeration-impermeable rock E)zone of aeration-water table-zone of saturation-impermeable rock

An aquifer bound above and below by impermeable layers of rock or unconsolidated materials is called a(n) A)confined aquifer. B)unconfined aquifer. C)spring. D)artesian well. E)water table.

The solid,impermeable layer that forms the boundary of a confined aquifer is know as a(n) A)aquitard. B)aquiclude. C)spring. D)artesian well. E)water table.

Which condition may exist when the pontentiometric surface is above ground level? A)Artesian water may rise to the surface in a well. B)drawdown in the well C)local groundwater recharge of the aquifer D)A confined aquifer may become an unconfined aquifer. E)A spring may form.

Where the water table intersects the ground surface,a(n)is created. A)aquitard B)aquiclude C)spring D)artesian well E)stream

Water table lowering around wells caused by pumping rates exceeding recharge rates can create a(n) A)aquitard. B)aquiclude. C)cone of depression. D)artesian well. E)stream.

The term "cone of depression" refers to A)a change in the level of the soil water zone. B)a depression in the water table formed by rapid groundwater withdrawal. C)a depression in Earth's surface formed by groundwater withdrawal. D)a graphical representation of the decline in the rate of groundwater flow as an aquifer dries out. E)the area surrounding an artesian well below the potentiometric surface.

The utilization of aquifers beyond their flow and recharge capacities is known as A)the potentiometric surface. B)influent conditions. C)groundwater mining. D)the contact surface. E)effluent conditions.

The High Plains Aquifer A)has little importance as a freshwater resource in the U.S. B)was not heavily mined until the 1970s. C)is also known as the Garber-Wellington Aquifer. D)has been recharging at a rate faster than withdraw over the past two decades. E)is North America's largest known aquifer system.

The High Plains Aquifer irrigates about of all U.S.cropland. A)half B)two-thirds C)one-fifth D)a quarter E)three quarters

If groundwater mining of the High Plains aquifer were to immediately cease,how long do scientists estimate recovery would take? A)under 25 years B)between approximately 50 and 75 years C)a minimum of 100 years,a maximum of 500 years D)at current recharge rates,750 years E)at least 1,000 years

World population growth since 1970 has reduced the supply of water for each person by A)half. B)two-thirds. C)one-third. D)a quarter. E)three quarters.

Approximately people worldwide lack safe drinking water. A)100 million B)100,000 C)500 million D)500,000 E)1 billion

Water scarcity conditions exist when people have less than of water per person per year. A)2000 m² B)2500 m² C)1700 m² D)3000 m² E)1000 m²

The permanent remove of water from the immediate water environment is known as A)water withdrawal. B)nonconsumptive use. C)consumptive use. D)offstream. E)groundwater mining.

The removal or diversion of water,followed by the subsequent return of that water to the same supply is known as A)water withdrawal. B)nonconsumptive use. C)consumptive use. D)offstream. E)groundwater mining.

Which of the following is an example of the consumptive use of water? A)water which evaporates from an irrigated field B)hydroelectric power production C)using water for a bath D)river navigation E)use of lakes for recreation

Which of the following is not an example of instream use of water? A)groundwater pumping for irrigation B)hydroelectric power production C)fishing D)river navigation E)use of lakes for recreation

The downward trend in water consumption in the U.S.has been attributed to A)decrease in overall population. B)rapid urbanization of the population. C)fewer water sources. D)dam removal. E)increased water prices.

All of the following sources of pollution are point sources except A)ships. B)factories. C)pipes. D)sewage treatment plants. E)agricultural runoff.

Which of the following is a potential source of groundwater pollution? A)septic tanks B)pesticides and fertilizers C)disposal sites. D)shale gas extraction E)septic tanks,pesticides and fertilizers,disposal sites,and shale gas extraction

The process that removes organic compounds,debris,and salinity from seawater,brackish water,and saline groundwater is known as A)consumptive use. B)desalination. C)nonconsumptive use. D)instream use. E)fracking.

Which of the following is not considered an issue pertaining to water resources in the future? A)Growing populations will continue to exploit water resources. B)Pollution will limit the water-resource base. C)Regional drought will increase pressure on groundwater resources. D)Desalination will exacerbate dwindling freshwater supplies. E)Climate change will affect freshwater resources.

Describe the location and percentage of all water on Earth.Where are the largest repositories;where are the smallest repositories?

Describe the hydrological cycle,including its different components.

What are the two basic pathways precipitation can take once it reaches Earth's surface?

Define the following: soil-moisture storage,hygroscopic water,wilting point,capillary water,field capacity,gravitational water,soil-moisture recharge,soil porosity,and soil permeability.

Define these components of the water budget,explaining the importance of each: precipitation (P),potential evapotranspiration (PE),actual evapotranspiration (AE),and soil moisture utilization.

Briefly describe the various surface water resources.Which resources are available in your area? What are the large water projects in your area,such as water transfer projects or dams?

Discuss the different aspects of groundwater storage and movement below the surface.Include the ways in which groundwater comes to the surface on its own,or is drawn to the surface by humans,along with the consequences.

Discuss nonconsumptive use,consumptive use,and instream use as it pertains to the area in which you live.

What are the water issues your community is currently facing? How will these issues likely be addressed in the future?