Hydrology Practice Quiz

Which best describes the amount of Earth's total water supply that is usable freshwater?

• less than 1%

• less than 25%

• greater than 50%

• greater than 75%

Which is Earth's largest source of drinkable water?

• lakes

• rivers

• oceans

• aquifers

Which of the following contains most of the water on earth?

• the oceans

• watersheds

• the atmosphere

• ice and aquifers

Which two statements are true about the changing salt concentrations of ocean water?

• When Earth's ice increases, ocean water gets saltier

• When Earth's ice increases, ocean water gets less salty

• When ocean water evaporates, the water gets salty

• When ocean water evaporates, the water gets less salty

Which of the following are the MOST likely ways that water would move through the water cycle. Select all that apply.

• ocean to river to lake to atmosphere

• aquifer to ice cap to ocean to atmosphere

• atmosphere to watershed to river to ocean

• atmosphere to ocean to atmosphere to ocean

Which best explains how nutrients, salt, sediment and pollutants get into estuaries and oceans?

• from precipitation falling over the estuaries and oceans

• from organisms living and dying in estuaries and oceans

• from rivers and streams flowing into estuaries and oceans

• from asteroids and comets impacting Earth at estuaries and oceans

Which will most likely result if there is increased upwelling in a coastal area?

• more aquatic life

• less nutrients in the water

• higher water temperatures

• fewer nitrates

In which oceanic zone do clams and crabs survive by burrowing in the sand?

• oceanic

• intertidal

• deep ocean

• open ocean

Which contributes most in supporting life on the deep ocean floor?

• colder water temperatures

• extreme water pressure

• hydrothermal vents

• lack of predators

Which best describes the shallow water ocean zone?

• the long water column protects small organisms from being eater by large predators

• cooler water temperatures cause a decrease in dissolved oxygen needed by organisms

• sunlight penetration increases algae growth and provides food for a variety of organisms

• hydrothermal vents provide heat and dissolved minerals needed by some organisms to survive