Unlock document.
This document is partially blurred.
Unlock all pages and 1 million more documents.
Get Access
Chapter 11 - Water Resources and Water Pollution
True / False
1. Most aquifers are rapidly recharged through precipitation that percolates downward through soil and rock.
a.
True
b.
False
2. A large amount of the world's drinking water comes from desalination.
a.
True
b.
False
3. We are using freshwater unsustainably through waste and pollution, and do not charge enough for its use.
a.
True
b.
False
4. Withdrawing freshwater from deep aquifers amounts to mining a nonrenewable resource.
a.
True
b.
False
5. Drinking is the biggest use of water worldwide.
a.
True
b.
False
6. The porous layers of sand, gravel, or rock in most aquifers are like large, elongated sponges through which groundwater
seeps, which typically moves only a meter or so (about 3 feet) per year and rarely more than 0.3 meter (1 foot) per day.
a.
True
Chapter 11 - Water Resources and Water Pollution
b.
False
7. Eutrophication is a condition of natural nutrient enrichment of a shallow lake, estuary, or slow-moving stream.
a.
True
b.
False
8. Global reduction of grain-fed beef consumption would help to reduce water shortages.
a.
True
b.
False
9. A source of groundwater contamination in coastal areas is saltwater intrusion.
a.
True
b.
False
10. The creation of dams and reservoirs has decreased the annual reliable runoff available for human use.
a.
True
b.
False
11. Salt from the region of the Aral Sea is being blown onto the alpine glaciers of the Himalayas, and is causing them to
melt at faster than normal rates.
a.
True
b.
False
12. Federal subsidies are provided to U.S. farmers who reduce water use in irrigation.
a.
True
b.
False
13. Drip irrigation systems have an efficiency of 90 to 95%.
a.
True
b.
False
14. An oligotrophic lake tends to have relatively low levels of nutrients.
a.
True
b.
False
15. Protecting wetlands will actually promote flooding.
a.
True
b.
False
16. The use of dams, reservoirs, and water transfer projects has increased threats from flooding in some cases.
a.
True
b.
False
17. The shrinkage of the Aral Sea has altered the local climate of the surrounding area.
a.
True
b.
False
18. Heat is a major water pollutant that makes some species vulnerable to disease.
a.
True
b.
False
19. Agricultural activities are the leading cause of water pollution with organic chemicals and oxygen demanding wastes
as the major pollutants.
a.
True
b.
False
20. Cruise ships are a significant source of pollution that dump toxic chemicals, garbage, sewage, and waste oil into the
oceans.
a.
True
b.
False
21. Most freshwater in the eastern U.S. is used for manufacturing and cooling power plants.
a.
True
b.
False
22. Land erosion can cause a major source water pollution through sediments that disrupt biotic activity.
Chapter 11 - Water Resources and Water Pollution
a.
True
b.
False
23. Preventing contamination is the least expensive and most effective way to protect groundwater resources.
a.
True
b.
False
24. Tap water in Palm Springs, California, most likely comes from a river that originated in northwestern Colorado.
a.
True
b.
False
25. This system of dams and reservoirs on the ____ provides water and electricity from hydroelectric plants at the major
dams for approximately one of every eight people in the U.S. and is used to produce about 15% of the nation’s crops and
livestock.
a.
Ohio River
b.
Mississippi River
c.
Colorado River
d.
Columbia River
e.
Great Lakes
26. Water covers approximately ____% of Earth's surface.
a.
51
b.
61
c.
71
d.
81
Chapter 11 - Water Resources and Water Pollution
e.
91
27. What is a water resource that can be considered nonrenewable?
a.
water vapor in the atmosphere
b.
precipitation
c.
surface water in lakes and streams
d.
deep aquifers
e.
snowpack
28. What is the portion of surface runoff that we can generally count on as a stable source of freshwater?
a.
surface water
b.
drainage basin
c.
reliable runoff
d.
watershed
e.
precipitation
29. What phenomenon can alter the hydrologic cycle on a global scale?
a.
gravity
b.
climate change
c.
electricity
d.
geothermal energy
e.
wind
30. Freshwater that is used indirectly is called ____, which is the freshwater that is not directly consumed but is used to
produce food and other products.
a.
industrial water
b.
irrigation water
c.
virtual water
d.
gray water
Chapter 11 - Water Resources and Water Pollution
e.
ground water
31. We can say that the United States has ____ freshwater scarcity stress.
a.
no
b.
very little or minimal
c.
average
d.
spotty
e.
widespread
32. Approximately 70% of the water withdrawn worldwide each year is used for ____.
a.
industrial processes
b.
cooling towers of power plants
c.
irrigation of croplands and raising livestock
d.
domestic use
e.
water theme parks in tourist areas
33. In addition to natural drought cycles, what could cause as much as 45% of Earth’s land surface to experience extreme
droughts?
a.
lack of rainfall
b.
insufficient water for some urban areas
c.
climate change
d.
pollution of rivers, lakes, and groundwater
e.
freshwater scarcity stress
34. Why would an aquifer be considered nonrenewable?
a.
lack of rainfall
b.
contamination and overpumping
c.
located in arid regions
d.
desertification
Chapter 11 - Water Resources and Water Pollution
e.
excessive irrigation
35. What is the main problem with the Ogallala, the world’s largest aquifer that is located in the U.S.?
a.
government subsidies
b.
it is essentially a one-time deposit of liquid natural capital with a very slow rate of recharge
c.
land subsidence
d.
pollution
e.
over-irrigation
36. What is the primary problem with drawing groundwater from near ocean coastlines?
a.
pollution travels faster through sandy soils
b.
sand clogs up the wells
c.
sinkholes
d.
land subsidence
e.
saltwater can be pulled into freshwater aquifers
37. Large dams and reservoirs ____.
a.
reduce danger of flooding upstream
b.
disrupt migration and spawning of fish
c.
cannot be used for outdoor recreation
d.
allow extensive downstream transport of sediments
e.
have created lakes over of otherwise unproductive land
38. What is formed when extreme sudden subsidence occurs within a depleted aquifer?
a.
sinkholes
b.
freshwater scarcity stress
c.
virtual water
d.
lowered water table
e.
an impermeable layer that prevents recharge
Chapter 11 - Water Resources and Water Pollution
39. What has increased the annual reliable runoff available for our use by nearly 33%?
a.
sustainable water use practices
b.
dams
c.
aquifers
d.
drip irrigation
e.
water conservation subsidies
40. Why did Saudi Arabia announce in 2008 that it would stop producing grain?
a.
Its major deep aquifer has been depleted by drawing water for irrigation.
b.
Multiple years of severe droughts have depleted the water table.
c.
Its very rich, oil-financed economy can easily import food rather than grow its own.
d.
Desalinization of seawater around Saudi Arabia has contaminated local freshwater reserves.
e.
Oil seepage from oil fields has contaminated local freshwater reserves.
41. What is a major disadvantage of desalination?
a.
reverse osmosis and transpiration
b.
it is expensive
c.
not enough brackish water to make it worthwhile
d.
water cannot be used for irrigation
e.
polluted sea water
42. What percentage of the water that people use throughout the world is lost through evaporation, leaks, and inefficient
use?
two-thirds
a.
one-tenth
b.
one-fourth
c.
one-third
d.
one-half
Chapter 11 - Water Resources and Water Pollution
e.
two-thirds
43. What type of irrigation commonly used in developing nations loses 45% of the water applied?
a.
center pivot
b.
drip
c.
gravity
d.
flood
e.
sprinkler
44. What is the most efficient form of irrigation?
a.
flood irrigation
b.
center-pivot irrigation
c.
low pressure irrigation
d.
precision sprinkler irrigation
e.
drip irrigation
45. According to water resource experts, what are the two main causes of water waste?
a.
lack of government subsidies for improving the efficiency of water use and ignorance about the amount of
water being wasted
b.
low cost of water to users and lack of government subsidies for improving the efficiency of water use
c.
industrial agricultural practices and over irrigation
d.
lack of information about efficient irrigation systems and lack of regulation of water use
e.
unsustainable management and overpumping of aquifers
46. What in Brazil has reduced household water bills by 40%?
a.
water taxes
b.
water meters
Chapter 11 - Water Resources and Water Pollution
c.
national education campaign
d.
subsidies
e.
smart cards
47. What action could help decrease the single largest use of domestic water in the United States?
a.
Use a drip system in your garden.
b.
Install a low-flow shower head.
c.
Use native plants in your landscaping.
d.
Install a water-saving toilet tank.
e.
Use gray water to water your houseplants.
48. What has resulted along floodplains from channelization and loss of vegetation?
a.
increased droughts
b.
reclamation of wetlands
c.
lower rates of pollution
d.
increased flooding
e.
decreased biodiversity
49. Wetlands that can increase sustainable agriculture and forestry can be found in ____.
a.
floodplains
b.
swamps
c.
coastal areas
d.
near lakes
e.
in areas with high rain
50. What is the best approach to reducing flood damage?
a.
funding scientific research on flood prevention
Chapter 11 - Water Resources and Water Pollution
b.
education of the public
c.
avoid living on floodplains
d.
prevention through preserving natural environments
e.
control through engineering solutions
51. What is an example of point source pollution?
a.
offshore oil wells
b.
livestock feedlots
c.
urban lands
d.
croplands
e.
parking lots
52. What is an example of nonpoint source pollution?
a.
drain pipes
b.
oil wells
c.
golf courses
d.
underground mines
e.
sewage treatment plants
53. What is by far the leading cause of water pollution?
a.
unlined landfills
b.
organic wastes
c.
untreated sewage waste
d.
agricultural activities
e.
oil and natural gas production and development
