hydrology

What is the most responsible for the presence of groundwater in an area?

• the movement of water from a confined aquifer into surface water
• movement of surface water and precipitation through soil and rock
• the movement of water from streams and rivers to watersheds
• the movement of surface water through impermeable rock

Which is the most common contamination source for freshwater resources?

• runoff
• digging wells
• melting of glaciers
• lightning

A community decides to upgrade its water purification and management systems. What lasting impact could this have on available fresh water?

• It could cause a decrease in water demand
• It could cause a decrease in the water levels
• It could cause an increase in waterborne diseases
• It could cause an increase in the freshwater supply

A rural, forested area receives a lot of rain in a short amount of time. What would most likely cause potential flooding in the area?

• If the area has a large uncharged aquifer beneath it
• if the water level in the area is below the zone of saturation
• if the ground of the area is already saturated with water
• if the ground of the area is mostly sandy soil

Which is the best way to conserve worldwide freshwater resources?

• build more roads and highways for cars and trucks
• increase the amount of land used to raise cattle
• develop more modern coal-powered plants
• use more efficient irrigation techniques

The drilling for freshwater increases along coastal areas. What is a likely consequence of this action?

• An intrusion of salt water into aquifers
• The loss of water resources in estuaries
• The destruction of estruaries because of an increase in sea levels
• a decrease in salt concentration in inlet waterways

A local government is considering whether to build a dam. Which is an advantage of building this structure?

• it can decrease the accumulation of sediment in the water
• it can improve the natural habitat of plants and animals
• it is an inexpensive process
• it can create a storage place for water

Which consequence could an exponentially growing human population have on drinkable water?

• it could cause a decrease in the amount of waste and pollutants in the water
• it could cause an increase in the amount of water available for the population
• it coould cause an increase in cases of waterborne diseases
• it could cause a decrease in needing water for survival

How could a long-term decrease in precipitation impact an area?

• it could increase the average water level of lakes in the area
• it could increase the amount of flooding in the area
• it could decrease the amount of possible infiltration in the area
• it could decrease the possible amount of damage to crops in the area

Which is formed when a section of impermeable rock forces groundwater to move laterally and emerge onto the surface of Earth?

• a spring
• an aquifer
• a geyser
• a well