Water on Earth and Its Importance

What is a watershed?

• A type of aquatic plant

• Areas of land drained by a river

• A method of water purification

• A geological formation of rocks

What are the two kinds of water found on Earth?

• Salt water and Fresh water

• Rainwater and Groundwater

• Distilled water and Tap water

• Ice water and Vapor water

Briefly describe the Ogallala Aquifer, its importance, and threats it faces.

• 1/3 of our ground water comes from the Ogallala Aquifer

• It is the largest aquifer in the world

• It is primarily located in Canada

• It is a man-made reservoir for irrigation

Name 3 large river systems.

• The Mississippi, Amazon, and the Nile

• The Yangtze, Danube, and Ganges

• The Thames, Seine, and Tiber

• The Colorado, Rio Grande, and Zambezi

What does permeable mean?

• Allows water to flow through it

• Blocks water completely

• Allows air to pass but not water

• Is resistant to water flow

What things can affect or impair a recharge zone?

• Affected by the permeability of the surface above the aquifer

• Influenced by the depth of the aquifer

• Determined by the temperature of the surrounding soil

• Impacted by the presence of vegetation above the ground

Where is most of the Earth’s freshwater found?

• Rivers

• Lakes

• Icecaps and glaciers

• Atmosphere

What is an aquifer?

• A full body of ground water

• A type of water treatment facility

• A geological formation that stores oil

• A large body of salt water

What is permeability?

• The ability of rock or soil to allow water to flow through it

• The capacity of a material to retain moisture

• The process of water evaporating from soil

• The resistance of soil to compaction

Why is Earth often called 'the Water Planet'?

• Most of Earth is covered in water

• Earth has the largest oceans in the solar system

• Earth's atmosphere is primarily composed of water vapor

• Earth experiences frequent rainfall