Hydrology Review

According to the picture, where is most of the fresh surface water located on Earth?

• A. Ice caps  
• B. Lake

How does the development of more tributaries affect a local river basin?

• A. The amount of water carried by the basin is decreased because it is gathered from many streams near the source of the river.  
• B. The amount of water carried by the basin is increased because it is gathered from many streams near the source of the river.  

Which best describes the process by which water from the ocean enters the atmosphere?

• evaporation  
• precipitation  

Which best explains why so little of the water on Earth is available for human use?

• 97% of total water on Earth is salt water, and most of the remaining 3% is freshwater frozen in ice caps and glaciers.  
• 97% of total water on Earth is salt water, and most of the remaining 3% is freshwater found in lakes, rivers, and ponds

Which best explains the relationship between water stored in the ocean and water stored in groundwater?

• Water from the ocean evaporates, condenses, and forms precipitation which enters groundwater through the soil by infiltration, but groundwater enters the ocean directly as discharge.
• Water from the ocean enters groundwater directly through the soil by infiltration, but groundwater does not enter the ocean water.

Which statement about ocean currents is accurate?

• Ocean currents stir nutrients to help in the production of oxygen.
• Ocean currents keep the ocean temperature unstable.

Which technology is most often used to map the ocean floor?

• submersibles  
• sonar

Which provides the largest source of dissolved oxygen in the ocean?

• algal growth
• coral reefs

Which dissolved gases are most needed by plants and animals living in the ocean?

• oxygen and carbon dioxide  
• nitrogen and oxygen

Which best explains why estuaries are an important habitat for many marine organisms in comparison to the open ocean?

• There are more nutrients available in estuaries.
• There are more predators in estuaries.