EEn.2.3.2

Which will cause an increase in runoff and infiltration in an area?

• contouring farmland

• a drought

• digging wells

• excessive rain

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

The data show changes in water levels below the surface of Earth. According to the data, during which period did the greatest amount of aquifer recharge occur?

• 4/1/99–5/1/99

• 8/1/99–9/1/99

• 2/1/00–3/1/00

• 3/1/00–4/1/00

The graph shows water table levels in an aquifer changing over a period of time. Which MOST likely caused the changes observed in the data over time?

• increase in the amount of precipitation

• increase in water conservation efforts

• decrease in the amount of recharge

• decrease in irrigation for farming

Which statement describes MOST groundwater?

• Groundwater is found in underground lakes, rivers, and streams.

• Groundwater is found in the spaces between rocks, gravel, and sand.

• Groundwater is isolated from surface water and moves in its own cycle.

• Groundwater is sequestered below the surface for years or decades at a time.

Virginia’s Valley and Ridge province has many limestone and dolomite rock layers. How could the composition of these layers affect the groundwater stored in the aquifer in this province?

• Over time, acidic water could dissolve the rock, creating larger spaces and increasing the volume of groundwater storage.

• Over time, acidic water could dissolve the rock, collapsing spaces and decreasing the volume of groundwater storage.

• Over time, acidic water could leach toxins from the rock, contaminating the water and making it unusable.

• Over time, acidic water could leach ions from the rock, decreasing the pH of the water and making it more drinkable.

Kelly wants to build a small koi fish pond in her backyard. What natural material should she line her pond with to make sure that no water leaks out of the pond through gravitational water flow?

• sand

• gravel

• loam

• clay

Five provinces of Virginia are shown below. The Fall Line is an area of waterfalls and rapids in rivers that flow down into the Coastal Plain. From the figure, infer which province of Virginia would have the shallowest water table.

• Appalachian Plateau

• Piedmont

• Valley and Ridge

• Coastal Plain

The diagram below shows a cross section of land. Numbers show four zones in this diagram. Which set of labels below accurately identifies the zones that are shown?

• 1—groundwater zone; 2—unsaturated zone; 3—water table; 4—surface water

• 1—unsaturated zone; 2—surface water; 3—groundwater zone; 4—water table

• 1—water table; 2—surface water; 3—groundwater zone; 4—unsaturated zone

• 1—unsaturated zone; 2—groundwater zone; 3—water table; 4—surface water