RAI: Ground Water

Which statement best describes groundwater?

• . Water found only in rivers and lakes

• Water frozen in glaciers and ice caps

• Water that fills cracks and spaces in soil and rock, with more underground than in rivers and lakes

• Water found only at Earth’s surface

Which option correctly compares permeable and impermeable materials?

• Permeable materials block water; impermeable materials allow water through

• Permeable materials have small pores; impermeable materials have large pores

• Permeable materials allow water to pass easily (sand or gravel), while impermeable materials do not (granite)

• Permeable materials are only rocks; impermeable materials are only soil

How does porosity affect groundwater movement?

• Water moves faster through materials with no pores

• Materials with large, connected pores allow water to move more easily

• Porosity only affects surface water, not groundwater

• All soil and rock allow water to move at the same rate

Which statement correctly describes the unsaturated and saturated zones?

• The unsaturated zone contains only air, and the saturated zone contains only rock

• The unsaturated zone is below the water table, and the saturated zone is above it

• The unsaturated zone contains air and water, while the saturated zone has pores completely filled with water

• Both zones contain the same amount of water

Why must an aquifer be permeable?

• So it can block groundwater movement

• So it can hold and allow water to move through it

• So it prevents water from reaching the surface

• So it stays dry during rainfall

Why do people drill wells in rural areas?

• To store surface water

• To remove pollutants from groundwater

• To reach groundwater below the water table for a water supply

• To stop erosion

Which best explains water scarcity related to groundwater?

• When groundwater freezes underground

• When groundwater levels drop or become too polluted due to human activity

• When too much rain falls

• When aquifers become impermeable

How do lawn and farm chemicals pollute groundwater?

• They evaporate into the air

• They are absorbed by plants only

• Surface water carries them into the ground where they seep into aquifers

• They remain only on the soil surface

Which action helps conserve groundwater?

• Limiting water use

• Dumping chemicals down drains

• . Ignoring leaking fuel tank

• Using more water than can be replaced

What is the correct sequence of steps in air sparging?

• Air is pumped into groundwater → pollutants stick to air bubbles → bubbles rise and are removed → air is filtered and treated

• Water is drained → soil is removed → clean water is added → pollutants disappear

• Chemicals are added → groundwater freezes → pollution is trapped

• Polluted water is pumped directly into rivers