Environmental Science - Section 1

Which are examples of water reservoirs in the water cycle?

Atmosphere, oceans, ground

True or False? Transpiration is the process of plants absorbing water vapor from the air.

No, transpiration is the process by which water is lost from plants as vapor into the atmosphere

True or False? Sublimation is the process by which a solid changes directly into a liquid.

No, Sublimation occurs when a solid changes directly into a gas

For cloud formation, water vapor needs something to cling to, which are known as:

Condensation nuclei

A watershed is best defined as an area of land where:

all the precipitation, such as rain and snow, and surface runoff drains into a common outlet

True or False? A watershed is an area of land where precipitation NEVER drains into a common body of water.

FALSE

A regional map shows two drainage areas separated by a mountain ridge that directs rainfall to different rivers.

What landform border defines watersheds?

Continental Divides

What is the state called when more water leaves a watershed than enters?

Defecit

What is the watershed water-budget condition when inflow exceeds outflow?

Surplus

What is a water budget deficit for a watershed?

When there more water leaves a watershed than enters

A woodland is converted into paved streets and houses, increasing the impermeable area from 10% to 70%.

What happens to surface runoff?

The amount of surface runoff increases because the water can’t infiltrate

A small watershed receives 1500 m³/day of inflow and loses 1200 m³/day from outflow.

What is the net change in water volume?

300 m³/day (net change = inflow - outflow)

Which watershed change most plausibly results from converting forest to residential use?

Increased surface runoff and decreased infiltration

What is the process called when a gas changes directly into a solid?

Desublimation

Condensation nuclei can include dust, ______, salt, or smoke particles.

pollen

Example of Steps in the water cycle

1⃣ Evaporation

2⃣ Condensation

3⃣ Precipitation

4⃣ Flow or infiltration

5⃣ Recharge into reservoirs

Match the water reservoir with its description:

Atmosphere ↔ Frozen water storage

Oceans ↔Water stored underground

Groundwater ↔ Largest water reservoir

Glaciers ↔ Holds water as vapor

Atmosphere ↔ Holds water as vapor

Oceans ↔ Largest water reservoir

Groundwater ↔ Water stored underground

Glaciers ↔ Frozen water storage