Deck 8: Water Resources

Question 1

Most of Earth's fresh water is in

A) ice caps, glaciers, and groundwater.
B) groundwater and rivers.
C) lakes and swamps.
D) rivers and streams.
E) oceans.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The hydrologic cycle refers to

A) seawater that is drawn into mid-ocean ridges, heated, and rises to the surface.
B) water that is heated by magma and rises in hot springs.
C) the rising and falling of tides in a cyclical manner.
D) the way water is used to generate electrical energy.
E) None of these.

Answer 2

E

Question 3

In which areas on the accompanying figure is condensation occurring?

A) 1 and 2
B) 2 and 3
C) 3 and 4
D) 1 and 3
E) 2 and 4

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which of the following variables would be used to estimate potential evapotranspiration?

A) temperature and precipitation
B) precipitation and evaporation
C) temperature and latitude
D) wind speed and latitude
E) precipitation and humidity

Question 5

Which of the following is a correctly described statement about part of the hydrologic cycle?

A) Raindrops form through the process of evaporation.
B) Precipitation refers to minerals coating sand grains with natural cement.
C) Most groundwater forms when water on the surface infiltrates into the ground.
D) Movement of water is restricted to rainfall and rivers.
E) None of these.

Question 6

Which one of the following statements is true regarding the Earth's supply of fresh water?

A) The largest volume exists in lakes and reservoirs.
B) There is more in the form of water vapor in the atmosphere than there is as liquid groundwater.
C) There is more freshwater in glaciers and ice sheets than exists as groundwater.
D) There is more water in rivers than exists as soil moisture and groundwater.

Question 7

The residence time refers to the average length of time that a drop of water remains

A) intact before the hydrogen and oxygen atoms split.
B) in its store.
C) in motion without being "stuck" in a store.
D) unpolluted by human activities.

Question 8

Which of the following energy sources drives the hydrologic cycle?

A) internal heat energy
B) river flow
C) wind energy
D) solar energy
E) gravity

Question 9

Which of these numbered features contains most of Earth's water?

A) 1-oceans
B) 2-atmosphere
C) 3-glaciers and ice sheets
D) 4-groundwater
E) 5-lakes

Question 10

The magnitude of water in a store can have units of

A) meters per second.
B) cubic meters per second.
C) cubic meters.
D) light-years.

Question 11

Which of these numbered features contains the least amount of Earth's water?

A) 1-ocean
B) 2-atmosphere
C) 3-glaciers and ice sheet
D) 4-groundwater
E) 5-lakes

Question 12

In general, the average residence time will increase if

A) the size of the store and the flux both decrease.
B) the size of the store decreases and the flux increases.
C) the size of the store increases and the flux decreases.
D) the size of the store and the flux both increase.

Question 13

Approximately what percentage of precipitation that falls on the continents runs off the surface via rivers/streams?

A) one-tenth
B) one-third
C) two-thirds
D) nine-tenths

Question 14

Which of the following events is most like the formation of a cloud?

A) water running off a roof
B) water forming on a cold object on a hot, humid summer day
C) water entering the air from the leaves of growing plants
D) water moving downward into the soil after a summer rain storm

Question 15

Of the following, which has the greatest total volume of water?

A) the atmosphere
B) groundwater
C) ice caps and glaciers
D) rivers and lakes

Question 16

The short residence time of water in the atmosphere allows a water molecule to have a stronger ability to do which of the following, compared to a situation if the residence time in the atmosphere were larger?

A) acquire potential energy and convert it to kinetic energy
B) participate in the hydrologic cycle
C) erode the surface
D) store and release latent heat
E) All of these.

Question 17

Which of the following is occurring in the Snake River Plain of southern Idaho?

A) Water from rivers soaks into the ground, causing the rivers to disappear (be lost).
B) A large amount of water flows underground.
C) Huge springs result where groundwater flows onto the surface.
D) All of these are occurring.

Question 18

Which of the following factors least directly influences infiltration capacity?

A) slope of the land
B) nature of the vegetative cover
C) rainfall intensity
D) prior wetted condition of the soil
E) ambient temperature

Question 19

Which of these numbered features contains most of Earth's freshwater?

A) 1-ocean
B) 2-atmosphere
C) 3-glaciers and ice sheets
D) 4-groundwater
E) 5-lakes

Question 20

Precipitation is measured by all of the following except

A) snow pillows.
B) rain gauges.
C) radar.
D) ASOS.
E) barometers.

Question 21

Of the following choices, the best indicator of drought is

A) soil-water use.
B) soil-water recharge.
C) height of the saturated zone.
D) deficit.

Question 22

Which of the following units cannot be used to measure the volume of water?

A) gallon
B) cubic meter
C) acre
D) liter

Question 23

Which of the following is most likely to be associated with a confined aquifer?

A) perched water table
B) lake
C) artesian well
D) unsaturated zone

Question 24

Which two uses consume most freshwater in the United States?

A) drinking water and showering
B) mining and raising livestock
C) irrigation and drinking water
D) mining and industrial use
E) irrigation and thermoelectric power

Question 25

Each number on this figure refers to a location with groundwater in a subsurface material that is consistent in character across the entire figure.Of these locations, which would likely have the slowest groundwater flow?

A) 1 and 2
B) 2 and 3
C) 3 and 4
D) 4 and 5
E) 1 and 5

Question 26

This water balance diagram below suggests that

A) the location is in the Southern Hemisphere.
B) winters are snowy.
C) long periods of drought are common.
D) All of these.

Question 27

Which of the following would NOT be a preferred characteristic of a good aquifer?

A) high permeability
B) high porosity
C) unsaturated pores
D) All of these.

Question 28

Each number on this figure refers to a location with groundwater in a subsurface material that is consistent in character across the entire figure.Of these locations, which one would have groundwater flowing to the left?

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
E) 5

Question 29

Each number on this figure refers to a location with groundwater in a subsurface material that is consistent in character across the entire figure.Of these locations, which would likely have the fastest groundwater flow?

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
E) 5

Question 30

Which source of drinking water is most likely to be pure and safe to drink?

A) spring water
B) bottled spring water
C) river water
D) municipal water

Question 31

Which of the following is true about the water table?

A) The shape of the water table does not mimic topography.
B) Deeper water below the water table must flow in the same direction as near-surface water.
C) The water table can slope in opposite directions beneath a hill.
D) all of these
E) none of these

Question 32

Each number on this figure refers to a location with groundwater in a subsurface material that is consistent in character across the entire figure.Of these locations, which one has the water table most clearly above the surface?

A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
E) 5

Question 33

Which of the following aquifers require a low permeability zone above it or below it?

A) artesian aquifer
B) perched aquifer
C) confined aquifer
D) All of these

Question 34

Each number on this figure refers to a location with groundwater in a subsurface material that is consistent in character across the entire figure.Of these locations, which two sites are on the opposite side of a groundwater divide?

A) between 1 and 2
B) between 2 and 3
C) between 3 and 4
D) between 4 and 5
E) None of these

Question 35

Which of the following is most similar in volume to an acre-foot of water?

A) 1,000 gallons
B) an acre covered to a depth of 3 feet (1 meter)
C) most of a football field covered to a depth of 1 foot
D) a square mile of land covered to a depth of 3 feet (1 meter)
E) 20 million gallons

Question 36

The water balance diagram below suggests that

A) summers are very dry.
B) winters are snowy.
C) long periods of drought are common.
D) All of these.

Question 37

The map below depicts the annual amount of

A) precipitation in inches.
B) potential evapotranspiration in inches.
C) humidity in percent.
D) runoff in cubic meters.

Question 38

During times when precipitation exceeds potential evapotranspiration,

A) there cannot be a deficit.
B) extra water goes into soil-water recharge if the soil is below field capacity.
C) water may go into deep percolation into groundwater.
D) All of these.

Question 39

Which of the following is true about the water table?

A) The water table has a similar shape to topography but is more subdued.
B) The water table is highest in elevation beneath lakes.
C) In any area, the water table slopes a consistent amount and direction.
D) All of these.
E) None of these.

Question 40

This water balance diagram for the tropical location below suggests that

A) drought is not a real concern.
B) the soil reaches field capacity in December or January.
C) the soil seldom reaches the wilting point.
D) All of these.

Question 41

How would this stream interact with groundwater?

A) Groundwater would flow into the stream, adding water.
B) The stream would lose water as water in the stream flows sideways and up.
C) The groundwater and stream water would not interact.
D) The stream will only contain water if it is raining at that time.

Question 42

This cross section shows the location of 5 wells and the water table.Which well is most likely to be an artesian well?

A) well A
B) well B
C) well C
D) well D
E) well E

Question 43

In which of these settings would a river or lake lose water to groundwater?

A) where the water table adjacent to the river is higher than the river
B) where a lake is directly underlain by an impermeable layer
C) where a river flows across an area where the water table is far beneath the surface
D) None of these.

Question 44

The permeability of a material refers to

A) the volume of air space in a material.
B) a meandering stream's movement across the underlying bedrock.
C) the ease with which a stream erodes material.
D) the ability of water to flow through a material.

Question 45

Of these four lakes, which ones are above the water table?

A) 1 and 2
B) 2 and 3
C) 3 and 4
D) 1 and 4
E) None of these.

Question 46

This diagram shows a place underlain by uniform materials.What is the approximate average gradient (slope)of the water table in this location? The vertical exaggeration on this diagram is 10x.

A) less than 20 m/km
B) 20 m/km
C) 100 m/km
D) 200 m/km

Question 47

Where on this cross section would water at the surface become groundwater?

A) 1, 2, and 3
B) 1 and 3
C) 2 and 4
D) 2 only
E) 4 only

Question 48

Which of the following controls the rate of groundwater flow?

A) the slope of the water table
B) the permeability of the rocks
C) how fractured the rocks are
D) All of these.

Question 49

Which of the following is true about how a lake can relate to the water table?

A) A lake that is above the water table may lose water to groundwater.
B) The water table intersects, or is higher than, the surface in many lakes.
C) A lake can gain water if it is lower than the water table in areas adjacent to the lake.
D) All of these.

Question 50

How would this stream interact with groundwater?

A) Groundwater would flow sideways into the stream, adding water.
B) Groundwater would flow upward, adding water to the stream.
C) The stream would lose water to the groundwater.
D) The groundwater and stream water would not interact.

Question 51

Which of the following is a common setting for a spring?

A) a limestone aquifer that intersects the surface
B) a permeable upper layer with a water table deep below the surface
C) a nonpermeable upper layer with a water table deep below the surface
D) an unconfined aquifer with a water table deep below the surface

Question 52

Which of the following is/are a setting(s)where surface water becomes groundwater?

A) a spring
B) a river that is higher than the water table
C) where an impermeable unit lies at the surface
D) All of these.
E) None of these.

Question 53

Which of these four lakes could only exist if they if they received water from precipitation or runoff from the land?

A) 1 and 2
B) 2 and 3
C) 3 and 4
D) 1 and 4
E) 2 and 4

Question 54

Where on this cross section would groundwater most likely flow out to the surface?

A) 1, 2, and 3
B) 1 and 3
C) 2 and 4
D) 2 only
E) 4 only

Question 55

Which of the sites on this cross section would be the most likely place for a spring?

A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D

Question 56

How did this cone of depression in the groundwater form?

A) An artesian spring flowed upward on all sides.
B) The earth's rotation causes groundwater to twirl in a counter-clockwise direction.
C) Groundwater is pumped from the well faster than it can flow to replenish what is lost.
D) Clay horizons cause perched water to flow away from a central point.

Question 57

Which of the following combinations make for the best groundwater reservoir?

A) low permeability and low porosity
B) low permeability and high porosity
C) high permeability and low porosity
D) high permeability and high porosity

Question 58

Which of the following is a common setting for a spring?

A) the water table intersects the surface
B) a permeable rock overlies a less permeable one
C) sedimentary rocks overlie crystalline rocks along an unconformity
D) All of these.
E) None of these.

Question 59

Which of these four lakes could be replenished by groundwater?

A) 1 and 2
B) 2 and 3
C) 3 and 4
D) 1 and 4
E) None of these.

Question 60

This cross section shows the location of a septic tank with harmful bacteria and 5 wells.Which well is least likely to become contaminated?

A) well A
B) well B
C) well C
D) well D
E) well E

Question 61

This map shows contours of the water table, the location of four factories (labeled A, B, C, and D), and contaminated (x)and uncontaminated wells (-).Which factory contaminated the groundwater?

A) factory A
B) factory B
C) factory C
D) factory D

Question 62

According to this graph, which shows water balance for the Ogallala aquifer, which of the following statements are true?

A) More water is taken out of the aquifer than is gained from recharge.
B) Less water is taken out of the aquifer than is gained from recharge.
C) Springs and rivers take out more water than does pumping.
D) As the aquifer dewaters, it expands, increasing the amount of pore space in which to store water.

Question 63

Which of the following is true about how contamination moves in groundwater?

A) Contamination moves up the slope of groundwater.
B) Contamination moves opposite to the direction of groundwater flow.
C) Contamination introduced into the ground does not move.
D) Contamination spreads out as it moves, forming a widening plume.

Question 64

The area shown on this cross section will experience subsidence from groundwater withdrawal.Which of the following statements is likely to be true about the subsidence?

A) The amount of subsidence will be constant across the area.
B) The aquifer will regain its porosity once the water is replaced.
C) The subsidence can be reversed (undone)by pumping in saltwater.
D) None of these.

Question 65

This map shows contours of the water table, the location of four factories (labeled A, B, C, and D), and contaminated and uncontaminated wells.Which way will the contamination flow?

A) northeast, up the contours
B) southwest, down the contours
C) northwest and southeast, parallel to the contours
D) impossible to tell because the movement of contamination is independent of groundwater

Question 66

Why does a plume of contamination spread out (become wider)away from the source of contamination?

A) because the water flows faster and faster
B) because of diffusion of the contamination and mixing of contaminated and uncontaminated water
C) it does not spread out away from the source
D) it will only spread out if it is close to a cone of depression

Question 67

This figure shows a new well that will pump out groundwater faster than it can be replaced.What will the water table look like after pumping?

A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D

Question 68

The septic tank in this figure will probably

A) contaminate all the water in the well.
B) contaminate the part of the well that is lower than the septic tank.
C) contaminate the soil at the well but not the groundwater.
D) not contaminate the well.

Question 69

Which way is groundwater flowing in this cone of depression?

A) from left to right across the entire area
B) from right to left across the entire area
C) upward and away from the well in all directions
D) downward and toward the well from all directions

Question 70

Which of the following can be caused by overpumping of groundwater?

A) land subsidence
B) a change in the flow direction
C) the destruction of an aquifer
D) All of these can be caused by overpumping.

Question 71

Which of the following would be most useful in investigating groundwater contamination?

A) records of how much material the company may have spilled
B) records of health problems, like leukemia, of people living in the area
C) a map showing contours of the water table and of contamination levels
D) a geologic map

Question 72

What happens to the water table if groundwater is pumped out faster than it can be replaced?

A) A mound of groundwater forms over the well.
B) The pipe in the well subsides down into the ground and can disappear.
C) A cone of depression forms on the water table.
D) All of these.

Question 73

Which of the following is NOT a possible source of water contamination?

A) dry cleaners
B) farms
C) rocks that have been mineralized by natural processes but not mined
D) houses
E) All of these are possible sources of contamination.

Question 74

Which one of the following aquifers would be best for purifying groundwater that is contaminated with harmful sewage bacteria?

A) highly fractured granite
B) coarse gravel with few small grains
C) sand
D) cavernous limestone

Question 75

What could happen if this well is overpumped?

A) It will run out of water and become a dry well.
B) It will yield more water over time.
C) The water table will drop, causing sand to flow into the well.
D) The bottom of the lens of fresh water will rise, causing the well to draw in salt water.

Question 76

This map shows contours of the water table and the location of a factory that contaminated groundwater.Where would you drill wells to intercept the contamination?

A) right next to the factory
B) north of the factory
C) southeast of the factory
D) southwest of the factory

Question 77

What is the main problem that has developed in the Ogallala aquifer?

A) It has become contaminated with radioactive waste from the Chernobyl accident.
B) Precipitation is heavier to the east, causing tilting of the entire formation.
C) Overpumping may cause southern parts of the aquifer to go dry in the next 100 years.
D) None of these.

Question 78

What is a possible consequence of overpumping of groundwater?

A) inflation of the aquifer due to an increase in porosity
B) flooding due to rising groundwater levels
C) along the coast, pulling saltwater into wells that were previously fresh
D) All of these.

Question 79

This map shows contours of the water table and the location of a factory that contaminated groundwater.Which way will the contamination flow?

A) northwest, up the contours
B) southwest, parallel to the contours
C) southeast, down the contours
D) no direction because the movement of contamination is independent of groundwater

Question 80

Which of the following cannot be caused by overpumping of ground water?

A) a cone of depression
B) subsidence and compaction of the aquifer
C) a change in the direction of groundwater flow
D) bringing contamination into previously uncontained wells
E) All of these are possible consequences of overpumping.