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Florida Envirothon--Aquatics Questions
and Correct Answers/ Latest Update /
Already Graded
Hydrologic Cycle
Ans: the circulation and distribution of water on the surface of
the land, underground, and in the air
5 processes of hydrologic cycle
Ans: condensation, precipitation, runoff, evapotranspiration,
infiltration
Condensation
Ans: water vapor in the air condenses to form droplets that
eventually merge and fall as rain
Florida's average rainfall
Ans: 54 inches
When does 70% of rainfall occur?
Ans: between may and october
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When does 30% of rainfall occur?
Ans: between november and april
When does recharge of aquifer systems take place?
Ans: Winter
Runoff
Ans: the water that does not soak into the ground or percolate
into aquifers
Unsaturated aquifers
Ans: absorb rainfall directly or through sinkholes
Saturated aquifers
Ans: cause runoff into lakes and streams
Florida's average yearly runoff
Ans: 14 inches
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Evapotranspiration
Ans: evaporation and transpiration (evaporation from plants)
Florida evapotranspiration rate
Ans: high due to solar radiation levels
Permeability
Ans: speed with which water can move through soil
Rooting zone
Ans: only area where plants can absorb water with roots
What are the qualities of a sandy area?
Ans: high flow rate, as much as 6 ft deep rooting zone
What are the qualities of flatwood soils/pastureland?
Ans: 2-3 ft deep rooting zone
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Aquifer
Ans: region below the land in which all the pore spaces in the
rock/soil are filled with water, "water bearing"
What percentage of Florida's drinking water do aquifers contribute to?
Ans: 90%
Two functions of aquifers
Ans: transmit groundwater from the point of entry to points of
discharge, store large volumes of water
Unconfined aquifers
Ans: water is free to percolate through an unsaturated zone of
soil or rock to the water table
Confined aquifers
Ans: water is confined under pressure by impermeable layer(s)
over the aquifer
Artesian wells
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
Florida Envirothon--Aquatics Questions
and Correct Answers/ Latest Update /
Already Graded
Hydrologic Cycle
Ans: the circulation and distribution of water on the surface of
the land, underground, and in the air
5 processes of hydrologic cycle
Ans: condensation, precipitation, runoff, evapotranspiration,
infiltration
Condensation
Ans: water vapor in the air condenses to form droplets that
eventually merge and fall as rain
Florida's average rainfall
Ans: 54 inches
When does 70% of rainfall occur?
Ans: between may and october
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |2
When does 30% of rainfall occur?
Ans: between november and april
When does recharge of aquifer systems take place?
Ans: Winter
Runoff
Ans: the water that does not soak into the ground or percolate
into aquifers
Unsaturated aquifers
Ans: absorb rainfall directly or through sinkholes
Saturated aquifers
Ans: cause runoff into lakes and streams
Florida's average yearly runoff
Ans: 14 inches
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |3
Evapotranspiration
Ans: evaporation and transpiration (evaporation from plants)
Florida evapotranspiration rate
Ans: high due to solar radiation levels
Permeability
Ans: speed with which water can move through soil
Rooting zone
Ans: only area where plants can absorb water with roots
What are the qualities of a sandy area?
Ans: high flow rate, as much as 6 ft deep rooting zone
What are the qualities of flatwood soils/pastureland?
Ans: 2-3 ft deep rooting zone
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |4
Aquifer
Ans: region below the land in which all the pore spaces in the
rock/soil are filled with water, "water bearing"
What percentage of Florida's drinking water do aquifers contribute to?
Ans: 90%
Two functions of aquifers
Ans: transmit groundwater from the point of entry to points of
discharge, store large volumes of water
Unconfined aquifers
Ans: water is free to percolate through an unsaturated zone of
soil or rock to the water table
Confined aquifers
Ans: water is confined under pressure by impermeable layer(s)
over the aquifer
Artesian wells
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
