NCFE Earth - Hydrosphere

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

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

• 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.

Subsurface ocean currents continually circulate from the warm waters near the equator to the colder waters in other parts of the world. What is the main cause of these currents?

• differences in the topography along the ocean floor

• differences in density of ocean water

• the rotation of Earth on its axis

• movement of the jet stream

Which is the most common contamination source for freshwater resources?

• runoff

• digging wells

• melting of glaciers

• lightning

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

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

• the movement of water from a confined aquifer into surface water

• the 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

What will most likely happen if a warm ocean current travels north or south from the equator?

• The current will become warmer, causing it to become more dense and rise.

• The current will become cooler, causing it to become less dense and rise.

• The current will become cooler, causing it to become more dense and sink.

• The current will become warmer, causing it to become less dense and sink.

In the hydrologic cycle, which process contributes to a decrease in groundwater levels?

• infiltration

• evaporation

• precipitation

• condensation

Which is one way surface water may become groundwater?

• condensation

• evaporation

• infiltration

• runoff

If people in an area have limited access to freshwater resources, what will most likely result?

• an increase in the number of aquifers supplying water to the area

• a decrease in sanitation and increase in decrease in the area

• a decrease in weathering and erosion in the area

• an increase in biodiversity in the area