GLG 110: Ch. 14 - Groundwater: Final
Exam Study Guide And Actual Answers.
Groundwater - Answer - Is water found in the pores of soil and sediment, plus narrow
fractures in bedrock.
- The largest reservoir of freshwater that is readily available to humans.
- 6/10 of 1% of the hydrosphere is groundwater.
Most Use of Groundwater - Answer 1. Toilets.
2. Clothes Washers.
3. Showers and Baths.
4. Faucets.
5. Leaks.
6. Other.
7. Dishwashers.
Precipitation - Answer - Any form of water that falls from clouds and reaches Earth's surface.
- Most groundwater soaks into the ground from precipitation.
Zone of Soil Moisture - Answer - A zone in which water is held by molecular attraction on soil
particles in the near-surface zone.
- Used by plants.
- Evaporates directly back to the atmosphere.
Zone of Saturation - Answer - A zone in which all of the pore spaces are completely filled with
water.
, Unsaturated Zone - Answer - Vadose Zone.
- The area above the zone of saturation.
- Pore spaces include both air and water.
- Includes the zone of soil moisture.
- Includes the capillary fringe, which is a region where groundwater is held in pore spaces by
surface tension.
Observation Wells - Answer - STEP 1: The location of observation wells and the elevations of
the water table above sea level are plotted on a map.
- STEP 2: Data points are used to guide the drawing of water-table contour lines. Groundwater
flow lines can be added to show water movement in the upper portion of the zone of
saturation. Groundwater moves perpendicular to the contours and down the slope of the water
table.
Variations in the Water Table - Answer - Depth is highly variable.
- Varies seasonally from year to year.
- Precipitation variations affect the depth of the water table.
- Shape is usually a subdued replica of the surface topography.
Interaction Between Groundwater and Streams - Answer - Constitutes a basic link in the
hydrologic cycle.
Gaining Streams - Answer - Gain water from the inflow of groundwater through the stream
bed.
Exam Study Guide And Actual Answers.
Groundwater - Answer - Is water found in the pores of soil and sediment, plus narrow
fractures in bedrock.
- The largest reservoir of freshwater that is readily available to humans.
- 6/10 of 1% of the hydrosphere is groundwater.
Most Use of Groundwater - Answer 1. Toilets.
2. Clothes Washers.
3. Showers and Baths.
4. Faucets.
5. Leaks.
6. Other.
7. Dishwashers.
Precipitation - Answer - Any form of water that falls from clouds and reaches Earth's surface.
- Most groundwater soaks into the ground from precipitation.
Zone of Soil Moisture - Answer - A zone in which water is held by molecular attraction on soil
particles in the near-surface zone.
- Used by plants.
- Evaporates directly back to the atmosphere.
Zone of Saturation - Answer - A zone in which all of the pore spaces are completely filled with
water.
, Unsaturated Zone - Answer - Vadose Zone.
- The area above the zone of saturation.
- Pore spaces include both air and water.
- Includes the zone of soil moisture.
- Includes the capillary fringe, which is a region where groundwater is held in pore spaces by
surface tension.
Observation Wells - Answer - STEP 1: The location of observation wells and the elevations of
the water table above sea level are plotted on a map.
- STEP 2: Data points are used to guide the drawing of water-table contour lines. Groundwater
flow lines can be added to show water movement in the upper portion of the zone of
saturation. Groundwater moves perpendicular to the contours and down the slope of the water
table.
Variations in the Water Table - Answer - Depth is highly variable.
- Varies seasonally from year to year.
- Precipitation variations affect the depth of the water table.
- Shape is usually a subdued replica of the surface topography.
Interaction Between Groundwater and Streams - Answer - Constitutes a basic link in the
hydrologic cycle.
Gaining Streams - Answer - Gain water from the inflow of groundwater through the stream
bed.
