geology 1403- Tarrant county

Water Quality

Water Quality

depends on various factors including temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, and contaminants.

The presence of which features indicates an erosional coastline?

Headlands, sea caves, and sea stacks

Depositional coasts are characterized by which of the listed elements?

Lagoons
Barrier island chains
Deltas
Spits

When the Sun-Earth-Moon system is aligned, the high tide will be higher than usual.

true

Ocean waves in the open water cause water molecules to move

Correct answer:
in a circular pattern

Under what conditions does a wave break?

Correct answer:
When a wave's height is equal to the water's depth

Which two processes shape coastlines?

Erosion and deposition

Identify the physical characteristics of erosional coasts.

Rocky shorelines
Sea stacks
Undercut cliffs

During which moon phases are high tides lowest and low tides highest?

First quarter and third quarter

Which of the following are characteristics of a beach?

A beach is composed of submerged and subaerial portions.
Beaches form along shores of ocean.

A local beach safety association is looking for areas that are prone to rip currents. With which offshore features are the rip currents most likely to be associated?

Depressions and channels

Which statement about jetties and groins is true?

They are intended to prevent beach erosion but end up producing it.

Rip channels are hazardous to swimmers because

the strong currents flow straight out from the shore

According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, the greater the mass the greater the gravitational attraction, and the closer objects are to one another the greater the gravitational attraction.

true

Why does beach sediment tend to move down current in a zigzag pattern along a beach?

The swash of the wave travels obliquely, but the backwash travels down the slope of the beach.

Which is an unintended consequence of the construction of a breakwater?

Increased erosion downstream of the structure

To maximize fuel economy, a shipping company wants to bring its ships into port during the highest possible high tides. To accomplish this, the shipping company should plan their arrivals to coincide with which moon phase?

New moon

A depositional coastline features the presence of

Correct answer:
beaches, bars, and barrier islands

Identify the elements that are parts of a beach. Mark all that apply.

Berm
Swash zone
Surf zone

Porosity/permeability

two important properties of rocks that determine their ability to store and transmit fluids, including water.

Best rock types for best porosity/permeability

Sandstone and limestone
Basalt

aquifer

geological formation that can store and transmit significant quantities of water. Sandstone, limestone, and gravel are good aquifer materials.

aquitard

geological formation that has low permeability and restricts the flow of water. Clay and shale are good aquitard materials.

geyser

is a hot spring that intermittently erupts a column of water and steam. This happens when groundwater is heated by magma or hot rocks, creating high pressure that forces the water upwards.

hot spring

spring that releases geothermally heated water from the ground. Unlike geysers, hot springs do not necessarily erupt; they just flow out continuously.

water table

The upper level of the saturated zone of groundwater

Cone of depression

lowering of the water table around a pumping well

Darcy's Law

A mathematical equation stating that a volume of water, passing through a specified area of material at a given time, depends on the material's permeability and hydraulic gradient.

Groundwater Pollution

occurs when harmful substances contaminate groundwater, making it unsafe for human use or damaging the ecosystem

Caves and karst

topography form due to the dissolution of soluble rocks like limestone, dolomite, and gypsum by slightly acidic water. Over time, this dissolution creates an underground network of passages and chambers.

Stalactites

icicle shaped features that form on cave ceilings

Sinkholes

a large surface crater caused by the collapse of an underground channel or cavern; often triggered by groundwater withdrawal