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- 1. Multiple Choice
1. Much of Earth's water supply likely originated from
icy comets and planetesimals debris.
respiration of early organisms.
gases expelled from the Sun, i.e., solar wind.
photosynthesis.
- 2. Multiple Choice
Outgassing refers to
changes in the total amount of water on Earth through evapotranspiration.
a steady-state equilibrium in the water system caused by cycles of evaporation and condensation.
the dynamic equilibrium between surface and ocean water.
the process in which water and water vapor emerge from deep layers within and below the Earth's crust.
- 3. Multiple Choice
Water covers approximately ________ of Earth's surface.
50 percent
90 percent
25 percent
71 percent
- 4. Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the distribution of water on Earth?
Water is evenly distributed across Earth.
The Atlantic is the largest ocean basin on Earth.
Most of the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean comprise the so-called "water hemisphere."
Most of Earth's water is freshwater and is predominately stored in the many lakes around the world.
- 5. Multiple Choice
The largest portion of fresh water today is located in
clouds.
groundwater resources.
ice caps and glaciers.
the major rivers and lakes of the world.
- 6. Multiple Choice
The hydrologic cycle
involves the continuous movement of water in all its states throughout the lower atmosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere.
is limited to freshwater circulation in the hydrosphere.
refers to the highly localized transfer of water from plants and soils to the atmosphere and back.
is the groundwater component of the global water cycle.
- 7. Multiple Choice
In the water budget, ________ is the major receipt and ________ is the major expenditure.
insolation; radiative cooling
outgassing; dissociation
precipitation; evapotranspiration
evapotranspiration; precipitation
- 8. Multiple Choice
Actual evapotranspiration refers to
surplus subtracted from precipitation total.
surplus subtracted from potential evapotranspiration.
the amount of evapotranspiration that would occur if available water was not limited.
the amount of water that returns to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration.
- 9. Multiple Choice
In the United States, most precipitation falls
in the Northwest and Southeast.
in the Central Plains.
in the southwestern and north-central areas.
along the Rocky Mountain Range.
- 10. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is true of evapotranspiration in North America?
The lowest amounts occur in the Southwest and southern Texas.
The lowest amounts occur in northern Canada.
The highest amounts occur in the Midwest.
The highest amounts occur in the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
- 11. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is not an example of a potential surface water resource?
artificial lakes
aquifers
rivers
wetlands
- 12. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is not true of wetlands?
Large wetlands are an important source of freshwater.
Wetlands are an important source of groundwater recharge.
Wetlands help improve water quality.
Wetlands exacerbate flooding due to saturated soil conditions.
- 13. Multiple Choice
Approximately what percent of the world's irrigation water is from groundwater?
5 percent
15 percent
25 percent
80 percent
- 14. Multiple Choice
Approximately what percent of the U.S. population derives a portion of its fresh water from groundwater sources?
10 percent
30 percent
50 percent
75 percent
- 15. Multiple Choice
The main source of groundwater is
hygroscopic water in the soil.
surface water where it intersects the zone of recharge.
precipitation that percolates downward as gravitational water.
outgassing from deep within Earth's interior.
- 16. Multiple Choice
World population growth since 1970 has reduced the supply of water for each person by
half.
two-thirds.
one-third.
a quarter.
- 17. Multiple Choice
Approximately ________ people worldwide lack safe drinking water.
100 million
500 million
500,000
1 billion
- 18. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a potential source of groundwater pollution?
septic tanks
pesticides and fertilizers
disposal sites
All of the above
- 19. Multiple Choice
The process that removes organic compounds, debris, and salinity from seawater, brackish water, and saline groundwater is known as
consumptive use.
desalination.
nonconsumptive use.
instream use.
- 20. Multiple Choice
Which of the following is not considered an issue pertaining to water resources in the future?
Growing populations will continue to exploit water resources.
Pollution will limit the water-resource base.
Regional drought will increase pressure on groundwater resources.
Desalination will exacerbate dwindling freshwater supplies.
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