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Lecture 4 Worksheet

The document provides definitions for key water-related terms such as runoff, watershed, and aquifer, along with concepts related to freshwater resources. It highlights that less than 1% of Earth's water is available for living things and outlines the major sources of freshwater, the hydrologic cycle, and human impacts on water systems. Additionally, it discusses the largest human uses of freshwater and the problems associated with water shortages and threats to groundwater.

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8 views1 page

Lecture 4 Worksheet

The document provides definitions for key water-related terms such as runoff, watershed, and aquifer, along with concepts related to freshwater resources. It highlights that less than 1% of Earth's water is available for living things and outlines the major sources of freshwater, the hydrologic cycle, and human impacts on water systems. Additionally, it discusses the largest human uses of freshwater and the problems associated with water shortages and threats to groundwater.

Uploaded by

mathewmundt
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lecture 4 Study Guide and Worksheet

Define the Following Terms:


1.​ runoff - Flows down the surface of the Earth into streams and rivers which eventually head to the ocean
2.​ watershed - All the land area that contributes to a particular stream/river
3.​ surface water - All freshwater bodies on the surface of the earth
4.​ capillary water - Held in the soil but returns to atmosphere through evaporation or transpiration
5.​ groundwater - Percolates through pores in the earth under the pull of gravity
6.​ water table - Upper layer of the aquifer
7.​ aquifer - Porous material through which groundwater moves
8.​ recharge area - Area where water enters the aquifer
9.​ spring - Natural exit of water from an aquifer onto the surface
10.​land subsidence - As the water table drops, support for the overlying rock is lost and large fissures form
11.​saltwater intrusion - Movement of saltwater into freshwater aquifers

Concepts:
1.​ How much of earth’s water is readily available as a freshwater resource for living things?
a.​ Less than 1%
2.​ What are the two major sources of freshwater?
a.​ Surface water
b.​ Ground water
3.​ List the five principal processes of the hydrologic cycle.
a.​ Evaporation
b.​ Transpiration by Plants
c.​ Transport of Atmospheric water
d.​ Precipitation
e.​ Runoff
4.​ How do humans interfere with the hydrologic cycle?
a.​ Changing the Earth’s surface through deforestation and urban development
b.​ Pollution
c.​ Withdrawals for human use
5.​ What are the two potential paths of precipitation once it falls to the ground?
a.​ Infiltration or runoff
6.​ What are the three largest human uses for freshwater, and which one uses the most water?
a.​ Irrigation (70%), industry (20%), and human consumption (10%)
7.​ What are the five problems related to water shortages?
a.​ Increase political conflicts
b.​ Causes health problems
c.​ Reduced food productions
d.​ Endangers the environment
e.​ Overall decrease in standard of living
8.​ What are the two greatest threats to groundwater?
a.​ Overuse and Contamination

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