Ch.17 Water Resources Verified Test Bank

Exploring Geology, 5e (Reynolds)

Chapter 17 Water Resources

1) Which of the following is occurring in the Snake River Plain of southern Idaho?

A) water from rivers soaks into the ground, causing the rivers to disappear (be lost)

B) a large amount of water flows underground

C) huge springs result where groundwater flows onto the surface

D) All of these are occurring.

2) Which of these numbered features contains most of Earth's water?

A) 1. oceans

B) 2. atmosphere

C) 3. glaciers and ice sheets

D) 4. groundwater

E) 5. lakes

3) Which of these numbered features contains most of Earth's freshwater?

A) 1. oceans

B) 2. atmosphere

C) 3. glaciers and ice sheets

D) 4. groundwater

E) 5. lakes

4) Which of these numbered features contains the least amount of Earth's water?

A) 1. oceans

B) 2. atmosphere

C) 3. glaciers and ice sheets

D) 4. groundwater

E) 5. lakes

5) Where is most of Earth's freshwater?

A) ice caps, glaciers, and groundwater

B) groundwater and rivers

C) lakes and swamps

D) rivers and streams

E) oceans

6) Which of the following settings contains the least amount of water?

A) oceans

B) lakes

C) groundwater

D) ice caps and glaciers

E) atmosphere

7) Which of the following events is most like the formation of a cloud?

A) water running off a roof

B) water forming on a cold object on a hot, humid summer day

C) water entering the air from the leaves of growing plants

D) water moving downward into the soil after a summer rain storm

8) In which areas on the accompanying figure is condensation occurring?

A) 1 and 2

B) 2 and 3

C) 3 and 4

D) 1 and 3

E) 2 and 4

9) What does the hydrologic cycle reference?

A) seawater that is drawn into mid-ocean ridges, heated, and rises to the surface

B) water that is heated by magma and rises in hot springs

C) the rising and falling of tides in a cyclical manner

D) the way water is used to generate electrical energy

E) None of these choices are correct.

10) Which of the following is a correctly described part of the hydrologic cycle?

A) Raindrops form through the process of evaporation.

B) Precipitation refers to minerals coating sand grains with natural cement.

C) Most groundwater forms when water on the surface infiltrates into the ground.

D) Movement of water is restricted to rainfall and rivers.

E) None of these choices are correct.

11) Which of the following units cannot be used to measure the volume of water?

A) gallon

B) cubic meter

C) acre

D) liter

12) Which source of drinking water is most likely to be pure and safe to drink?

A) spring water

B) bottled spring water

C) river water

D) municipal water

13) Which of the following energy sources drives the hydrologic cycle?

A) internal heat energy

B) river flow

C) wind energy

D) solar energy

E) gravity

14) Which of the following factors least influences infiltration capacity?

A) slope of the land

B) nature of the vegetative cover

C) rainfall intensity

D) prior wetted condition of the soil

E) ambient temperature

15) Of the following, which has the greatest total volume of water?

A) the atmosphere

B) groundwater

C) ice caps and glaciers

D) rivers and lakes

16) Which of the following statements correctly describes the production of water on Earth?

A) Most of Earth's water originated during the planet's formation and from comets.

B) Earth processes are continually creating and destroying water.

C) The amount of water on Earth has been increasing rapidly over the past 1,000 years.

17) Which of the following contributes water to a stream?

A) direct precipitation

B) groundwater

C) snowmelt

D) All of these contribute water to a stream.

18) Which of the following is most similar in volume to an acre-foot of water?

A) 20 million gallons

B) 9 football fields covered with one-tenth of a foot of water

C) an acre covered with 3 feet (1 meter) of water

D) a square mile covered with 1 foot of water

19) Which of the following is most similar in volume to an acre-foot of water?

A) 1,000 gallons

B) an acre covered to a depth of 3 feet (1 meter)

C) most of a football field covered to a depth of 1 foot

D) a square mile of land covered to a depth of 3 feet (1 meter)

E) 20 million gallons

20) Which two uses consume most freshwater in the United States?

A) drinking water and showering

B) mining and raising livestock

C) irrigation and drinking water

D) mining and industrial use

E) thermoelectric power and irrigation

21) Most groundwater pumped in the United States is used for

A) industry.

B) irrigation.

C) drinking water.

D) swimming pools.

22) Which one of the following statements is true regarding the Earth's supply of freshwater?

A) The largest volume exists in lakes and reservoirs.

B) There is more in the form of water vapor in the atmosphere than there is as liquid groundwater.

C) There is more freshwater in glaciers and ice sheets than exists as groundwater.

D) There is more water in rivers than exists as soil moisture and groundwater.

23) In the United States, which of the following uses the most water?

A) Irrigation

B) Public and domestic use

C) Mining

D) Livestock

24) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency establishes drinking water standards to

A) determine how much water each state can use on a yearly basis.

B) set a safe limit on the concentration of select contaminants in groundwater.

C) control the bottled drinking water industry.

25) Which of the following is a valid statement with relevance to groundwater?

A) In most sediments, adjacent grains fit tightly together.

B) Fractures are the main way groundwater moves through some rocks, such as granite.

C) Most groundwater occurs in caves and underground lakes.

D) None of these choices are correct.

26) Which of the following is a valid statement with relevance to groundwater?

A) In most sediments, adjacent grains fit tightly together.

B) Fractures are the main way groundwater moves through some rocks, such as granite.

C) Most groundwater occurs in underground lakes.

D) Most groundwater occurs in underground rivers.

E) All of these choices are correct.

27) What is the main way groundwater accumulates?

A) Seawater in the oceans loses its salt via the process of saltation.

B) Magma releases water as part of the hydrologic cycle.

C) Precipitation and surface water infiltrate through the upper layers of soil.

D) Plants release water and carbon dioxide through their roots.

28) Which of the following materials probably has the highest porosity?

A) dry, uncompacted clay particles

B) granite with few fractures but very large crystals

C) a limestone that has a few percent open cavities

D) poorly sorted sediment

29) Which of the following materials probably has the highest porosity?

A) poorly sorted sediment

B) sediment composed only of rounded cobbles that rest directly on one another

C) a mixture of sand, silt, and clay

D) a coarse-grained granite

30) Which of the following materials probably has the lowest porosity?

A) well sorted, fine-grained sediment

B) well sorted, coarse-grained sediment

C) unfractured granite

D) sand with well-rounded grains

31) Which of the following materials probably has the highest permeability?

A) highly fractured granite

B) compacted clays with moderate porosity

C) highly porous volcanic rock with holes that are isolated from one another

D) granite with sparse fractures that are filled with insoluble material

32) Which of the following materials probably has the lowest permeability?

A) highly fractured granite

B) compacted clay with abundant tiny pore spaces

C) loosely cemented, well-sorted sediment

D) loosely cemented, well-rounded sand grains

33) What is a possible way to increase permeability?

A) Seal fractures with clays and other minerals.

B) Fill pores between grains with clays and other fine-grained materials.

C) Fill pores with natural cement.

D) All of these choices are correct.

E) None of these choices are correct.

34) What is a possible way to decrease permeability?

A) Fracture a rock.

B) Compact sediment.

C) Have groundwater dissolve cement between the grains.

D) All of these choices are correct.

E) None of these choices are correct.

35) What is a possible way to decrease permeability?

A) Seal fractures with clays and other minerals.

B) Fill pores between grains with clays and other fine-grained materials.

C) Fill pores with natural cement.

D) All of these choices are correct.

E) None of these choices are correct.

36) Which of the following materials has high porosity and high permeability?

A) unfractured granite

B) well-sorted gravel

C) compacted clay

D) uncompacted clay

E) poorly sorted sand, silt, and clay

37) In a material that holds groundwater, porosity

A) controls the amount of water that can be stored.

B) determines the composition of the cement between grains and clasts.

C) does not depend on the size and shape of grains and clasts.

D) is constant from one type of material to another.

38) Which of the following is NOT true about the water table?

A) The water table is right at the land surface in swamps.

B) The water table is generally horizontal.

C) The water table is above the land surface in lakes.

D) Overpumping can change the slope of the water table.

39) What is a main way surface waters become groundwater?

A) Water in the unsaturated zone evaporates.

B) Water flows through the unsaturated zone and into the saturated zone.

C) Water flows from the saturated zone and into the unsaturated zone.

D) Water flows from the water table through the unsaturated zone.

E) None of these choices are correct.

40) What is the nature of the water table?

A) It is the boundary between the saturated zone and unsaturated zone.

B) Below the water table, water fills pore spaces and can flow.

C) Infiltrating water generally passes through the water table to become groundwater.

D) All of these choices are correct.

41) Which of the following is NOT true about the unsaturated zone?

A) Pore spaces in the unsaturated zone contain air with no water.

B) It overlies the water table.

C) It overlies the saturated zone.

D) There is an unsaturated zone below some rivers.

42) What is a possible way to increase permeability?

A) Fracture the rock.

B) Fill the pores with a natural cement.

C) Compact a clay so that the particles are aligned.

D) All of these choices are correct.

43) Which of the following materials has low porosity and low permeability?

A) unfractured granite

B) uncompacted clays

C) limestone with caverns

D) well-sorted sand

44) Which of the following materials has moderate to high porosity but low permeability?

A) fractured sandstone

B) uncompacted clays

C) well-sorted gravel

D) well-sorted sand

45) Which of the following materials would best to drill into for a good supply of groundwater?

A) shale

B) salt

C) sand and gravel

D) granite

E) All of these choices are correct.

46) Approximately how fast does groundwater move beneath the surface of the Earth?

A) a few centimeters per day

B) a few meters per day

C) a few kilometers per day

D) a few kilometers per hour

47) Which of the following is NOT a way to change the porosity of a rock?

A) Cut the rock with fractures.

B) Compact clay and other sediment.

C) Deposit natural cement into pores.

D) Fill the pores with water.

48) Which of the following materials probably has the highest permeability?

A) loosely cemented sand and gravel

B) compacted clay with moderate porosity

C) highly porous volcanic rock with holes that are isolated from one another

D) unfractured granite

49) Which of the following materials has low to moderate porosity but high permeability?

A) fractured granite

B) compacted clays

C) uncompacted clays

D) well-sorted sediment

50) Groundwater velocity (the rate of movement of ground water) is most strongly influenced by which of the following factors?

A) local climate and humidity

B) depth to the water table

C) presence of wells

D) the slope (gradient) of the water table

51) Which of the following is NOT true about groundwater flow?

A) In some igneous groundwater reservoirs, flow is determined by the orientation of fractures.

B) Excess pumping from wells can cause subsidence and reduction of porosity.

C) A decrease in the gradient (slope of the water table) increases the velocity.

D) Water moves from areas where the water table is highest to areas where it is lowest.

52) The water table is the

A) top of the zone of saturation.

B) bottom of the zone of saturation.

C) zone of saturation.

53) The part of the subsurface where most of the pore spaces are filled with air is the

A) unsaturated zone.

B) saturated zone.

C) aquifer.

54) The area of subsurface where the pore spaces are filled with water is called the

A) unsaturated zone.

B) saturated zone.

C) water table.

55) Which of the following geologic materials usually has the highest permeability?

A) loosely cemented gravel and sand

B) shales and similar types of rocks

C) vesicular volcanic rock

56) Each number on this figure refers to a location with groundwater in a subsurface material that is consistent in character across the entire figure. Of these locations, which would likely have the fastest groundwater flow?

A) 1

B) 2

C) 3

D) 4

E) 5

57) Each number on this figure refers to a location with groundwater in a subsurface material that is consistent in character across the entire figure. Of these locations, which one has the water table most clearly above the surface?

A) 1

B) 2

C) 3

D) 4

E) 5

58) Each number on this figure refers to a location with groundwater in a subsurface material that is consistent in character across the entire figure. Of these locations, which would likely have the slowest groundwater flow?

A) 1 and 2

B) 2 and 3

C) 3 and 4

D) 4 and 5

E) 1 and 5

59) Each number on this figure refers to a location with groundwater in a subsurface material that is consistent in character across the entire figure. Of these locations, which one would have groundwater flowing to the left?

A) 1

B) 2

C) 3

D) 4

E) 5

60) Each number on this figure refers to a location with groundwater in a subsurface material that is consistent in character across the entire figure. Of these locations, which two sites are on the opposite side of a groundwater divide?

A) between 1 and 2

B) between 2 and 3

C) between 3 and 4

D) between 4 and 5

E) None of these choices are correct.

61) Which of the following is true about the water table?

A) The water table has a similar shape to topography but is more subdued.

B) The water table is highest in elevation beneath lakes.

C) In any area, the water table slopes a consistent amount and direction.

D) All of these choices are correct.

E) None of these choices are correct.

62) Which of the following is true about the water table?

A) The shape of the water table does not mimic topography.

B) The water table generally is highest in elevation beneath lakes.

C) The water table can slope in opposite directions beneath a hill.

D) All of these choices are correct.

E) None of these choices are correct.

63) Which of the following would NOT be a preferred characteristic of a good aquifer?

A) high permeability

B) high porosity

C) unsaturated pores

D) All of these choices are correct.

64) Which of the following is most likely to be associated with a confined aquifer?

A) perched water table

B) lake

C) artesian well

D) unsaturated zone

65) Which of the following aquifers require a low permeability zone above it or below it?

A) artesian aquifer

B) perched aquifer

C) confined aquifer

D) All of these choices are correct.

66) Which of the following rocks has the highest porosity?

A) a fine-grained shale

B) lightly cemented sandstone

C) a coarsely crystalline granite

D) a metamorphic schist or gneiss

67) Which of the following controls the rate of groundwater flow?

A) the slope of the water table

B) the permeability of the rocks

C) how fractured the rocks are

D) All of these choices are correct.

68) The permeability of a material refers to

A) the volume of air space in a material.

B) a meandering stream's movement across the underlying bedrock.

C) the ease with which a stream erodes material.

D) the ability of water to flow through a material.

69) Which of the following combinations make for the best groundwater reservoir?

A) low permeability and low porosity

B) low permeability and high porosity

C) high permeability and low porosity

D) high permeability and high porosity

70) This cross section shows the location of a septic tank with harmful bacteria and 5 wells. Which well is least likely to become contaminated?

A) Well A

B) Well B

C) Well C

D) Well D

E) Well E

71) Which sequence of rocks in the associated figures could result in a confined aquifer (L = low permeability and H = high permeability)?

A) A

B) B

C) C

D) D

72) Under what conditions is it possible for a material to have both high porosity and low permeability?

A) It is not possible to have both high porosity and low permeability.

B) It is possible only if the rock is a sandstone.

C) It is possible only if the rock is a granite.

D) It is possible if the void spaces are very small or are not well connected.

73) Which of the following statements about porosity is NOT valid?

A) The amount of water that can be stored depends on the porosity.

B) Porosity partly depends on size and shape of grains and clasts.

C) Better sorted sediments have more porosity than unsorted ones.

D) Fractures may be the only real porosity in some igneous rocks.

E) All of these are valid

74) This cross section shows the location of 5 wells and the water table. Which well is most likely to be an artesian well?

A) Well A

B) Well B

C) Well C

D) Well D

E) Well E

75) The water table has

A) a shape similar to that of the land surface lying above it.

B) a shape that is opposite of the shape of the surface of the land lying above it.

C) an exact shape of the surface of the land lying above it.

76) The shape of a water table is determined by the topography of the surface of the land above it. The high part of a water table separating parts sloping in opposite directions is called the

A) groundwater divide.

B) aquifer.

C) hydraulic gradient.

77) The slope of a water table is also called the

A) hydraulic gradient.

B) groundwater divide.

C) aquifer divide.

D) groundwater gradient.

78) The term for groundwater that is confined and rises in a well because it is under pressure is

A) artesian.

B) groundwater divide.

C) hydraulic gradient.

79) A large body of permeable, saturated material through which groundwater can flow well enough to yield sufficient water to wells and springs is a(n)

A) aquifer.

B) groundwater divide.

C) hydraulic gradient.

D) aquitard.

80) The permeability of a rock layer on which perched water sits is

A) very low.

B) very high.

C) equal to the hydraulic gradient.

81) Of these four lakes, which ones are above the water table?

A) 1 and 2

B) 2 and 3

C) 3 and 4

D) 1 and 4

E) None of these choices are correct.

82) In which of these four lakes is the water table above the land surface?

A) 1 and 2

B) 2 and 3

C) 3 and 4

D) 1 and 4

E) None of these choices are correct.

83) Which of these four lakes could be replenished by groundwater?

A) 1 and 2

B) 2 and 3

C) 3 and 4

D) 1 and 4

E) None of these choices are correct.

84) Which of these four lakes could only exist if they if they received water from precipitation or runoff from the land?

A) 1 and 2

B) 2 and 3

C) 3 and 4

D) 1 and 4

E) 2 and 4

85) How would this stream interact with groundwater?

A) Groundwater would flow into the stream, adding water.

B) The stream would lose water as water in the stream flows sideways and up.

C) The groundwater and stream water would not interact.

D) The stream will only contain water if it is raining at that time.

86) How would this stream interact with groundwater?

A) Groundwater would flow sideways into the stream, adding water.

B) Groundwater would flow upward, adding water to the stream.

C) The stream would lose water to the groundwater.

D) The groundwater and stream water would not interact.

87) Which of the following is a common setting for a spring?

A) a limestone aquifer that intersects the surface

B) a permeable upper layer with a water table deep below the surface

C) a nonpermeable upper layer with a water table deep below the surface

D) an unconfined aquifer with a water table deep below the surface

88) Which of the following is a common setting for a spring?

A) The water table intersects the surface.

B) A permeable rock overlies a less permeable one.

C) Sedimentary rocks overlie crystalline rocks along an unconformity.

D) All of these choices are correct.

E) None of these choices are correct.

89) Where on this cross section would water at the surface infiltrate to become groundwater?

A) 1, 2, and 3

B) 1 and 3

C) 2 and 4

D) 2 only

E) 4 only

90) Where on this cross section would groundwater most likely flow out to the surface?

A) 1, 2, and 3

B) 1 and 3

C) 2 and 4

D) 2 only

E) 4 only

91) Which of the following is true about how a lake can relate to the water table?

A) A lake that is above the water table may lose water to groundwater.

B) The water table intersects, or is higher than, the surface in many lakes.

C) A lake can gain water if it is lower than the water table in areas adjacent to the lake.

D) All of these choices are correct.

92) Which of the following are settings where surface water becomes groundwater?

A) a spring

B) a river that is higher than the water table

C) where an impermeable unit lies at the surface

D) All of these choices are correct.

E) None of these choices are correct.

93) In which of these settings would a river or lake lose water to groundwater?

A) Where the water table adjacent to the river is higher than the river.

B) Where a lake is directly underlain by an impermeable layer.

C) Where a river flows across an area where the water table is beneath the surface.

D) None of these choices are correct.

94) Which of the sites on this cross section would be the most likely place for a spring?

A) A

B) B

C) C

D) D

95) Which of the sites on this cross section would be the most likely place for a spring?

A) A

B) B

C) C

D) D

96) A spring is a place where water flows naturally from rock

A) onto the land surface.

B) into a cave.

C) farther underground.

97) How are springs affected by faulting?

A) Faults provide a permeable pathway for groundwater movement to the surface.

B) Faults stop the flow of groundwater to the surface, as they usually form an impermeable layer.

C) Faults and springs are rarely found in the same geologic location.

98) A perched lake is above the water table. If a perched lake is to remain permanent, then

A) the amount of inflow of water must be equal to or greater than the amount of outflow and losses to evaporation.

B) the amount of inflow must be less than the amount of outflow and losses to evaporation.

C) the water table must be raised.

99) A part of a stream that receives water from the inflow of ground water is called a

A) gaining stream.

B) losing stream.

C) hydraulic gradient.

100) What might happen to a losing stream as the water passes from flowing over hard, impermeable rocks to flowing over more permeable rocks?

A) The stream will lose more water to the subsurface and might disappear.

B) The stream will gain water and flow faster.

C) No change will occur in the stream flow.

101) This map shows elevations of the water table beneath an area. The water table slopes toward the

A) south.

B) north.

C) northeast.

D) northwest.

102) This map shows elevations of the water table beneath an area. Which way does the upper level of groundwater flow? Generally toward the

A) south.

B) north.

C) northeast.

D) northwest.

103) This map shows elevations of the water table beneath an area. Which of the following maps is the correct contour map for the water table elevations shown?

A) A

B) B

C) C

D) D

104) Which of the following is NOT used to explore for groundwater?

A) geologic field studies

B) gravity surveys

C) studies of surface water

D) drilling

E) All of these are used to explore for groundwater.

105) Which of the following would NOT help you determine that an upper layer of unconsolidated sediments became thicker toward a basin?

A) drilling

B) gravity studies

C) measurements of discharge in surface streams

D) an understanding of the subsurface geology of the area

E) a correctly drawn geologic cross section

106) Which of the following would NOT be information collected by a hydrogeologist?

A) the age of the groundwater

B) the depth of the groundwater

C) the direction of the groundwater flow

D) the quality of the groundwater

E) the amount of groundwater

107) A drill log represents

A) information about rock layers and presence or absence of water.

B) information about the direction of flow of the groundwater.

C) the quality of the groundwater.

108) Which of the following would be information that a geophysical survey could provide to a geologist?

A) measurements in the variation of gravity

B) magnetism measurements

C) electrical conductivity measurement

D) All of these choices are correct.

109) Using the graph below, which point (letter) represents the strongest signal for strength of gravity?

A) A

B) B

C) C

D) D

110) The first step in constructing a contour map of a water table is to

A) collect and plot the elevations of the water table in all available wells in an area.

B) collect water quality data and plot it with all available wells in the area.

C) determine the amount of water present in the subsurface.

D) calculate the age of the water in the water table.

111) Using the diagram below, if you were a geologist looking for water, which area would you drill an exploratory well into?

A) Permeable sands

B) Granite

C) Impermeable clay

112) Using the figure shown of a contour map of groundwater locations, determine the general direction of the groundwater flow.

A) South

B) North

C) East

D) West

113) The arrows drawn perpendicularly to the contour lines on the contour map shown indicate the direction of the groundwater flow. In this example the groundwater is

A) flowing down the slope of the water table from higher contours to lower ones.

B) flowing up the slope of the water table from lower contours to higher contours.

C) flowing parallel to the slope of the water table from lower contours to higher contours.

114) How did this cone of depression in the groundwater form?

A) An artesian spring flowed upward on all sides.

B) The earth's rotation causes groundwater to twirl in a counter-clockwise direction.

C) Groundwater is pumped from the well faster than it can flow to replenish what is lost.

D) Clay horizons cause perched water to flow away from a central point.

115) Which way is groundwater flowing in this cone of depression?

A) from left to right across the entire area

B) from right to left across the entire area

C) upward and away from the well in all directions

D) downward and toward the well from all directions

116) Which of the following cannot be caused by overpumping of ground water?

A) a cone of depression

B) subsidence and compaction of the aquifer

C) a change in the direction of groundwater flow

D) bringing contamination into previously uncontained wells

E) All of these are possible consequences of overpumping.

117) Which of the following can be caused by overpumping of groundwater?

A) land subsidence

B) a change in the flow direction

C) the destruction of an aquifer

D) All of these can be caused by overpumping.

118) This figure shows a new well that will pump out groundwater faster than it can be replaced. What will the water table look like after pumping?

A) A

B) B

C) C

D) D

119) The area shown on this cross section will experience subsidence from groundwater withdrawal. Which of the following statements is likely to be true about the subsidence?

A) The amount of subsidence will be constant across the area.

B) The aquifer will regain its porosity once the water is replaced.

C) The subsidence can be reversed (undone) by pumping in saltwater.

D) None of these choices are correct.

120) What happens to the water table if groundwater is pumped out faster than it can be replaced?

A) a mound of groundwater forms over the well

B) the pipe in the well subsides down into the ground and can disappear

C) a cone of depression forms on the water table

D) All of these choices are correct.

121) What is a possible consequence of overpumping of groundwater?

A) inflation of the aquifer due to an increase in porosity

B) flooding due to rising groundwater levels

C) along the coast, pulling saltwater into wells that were previously fresh

D) All of these choices are correct.

122) What could happen if this well is overpumped?

A) It will run out of water and become a dry well.

B) It will yield more water over time.

C) The water table will drop, causing sand to flow into the well.

D) The bottom of the lens of fresh water will rise, causing the well to draw in salt water.

123) A cone of depression can form if

A) groundwater is overpumped from an aquifer.

B) limestone caverns collapse.

C) an artesian well goes dry.

124) If a well has a cone of depression associated with it because of overpumping of the groundwater, what is a possible consequence?

A) Groundwater, which may contain pollutants, will flow toward the cone of depression and cause a polluted well.

B) Groundwater, which may contain pollutants, will flow away from the cone of depression and the well will be safe from pollution.

C) Any pollutants in the flowing groundwater will be filtered out before reaching the cone of depression.

125) What happens to the sediments that are in and below the dewatered zone of an aquifer?

A) The sediments become compacted.

B) The sediments remain suspended.

C) The sediments move into the cone of depression.

126) Sediments in and below a dewatered area of an aquifer become compacted because

A) water pressure drops and the pore spaces are closed.

B) water pressure increases and the pore spaces become too porous.

C) water pressure remains the same but the pore spaces become clogged with new sediments.

127) Groundwater wells along coastlines are overpumped then

A) saltwater intrusion occurs.

B) artesian springs begin to flow.

C) fissures develop.

128) This map shows contours of the water table, the location of four factories (labeled A, B, C, and D), and contaminated and uncontaminated wells. Which way will the contamination flow?

A) north and northeast, up the contours

B) south and southwest, down the contours

C) northwest and southeast, parallel to the contours

D) Impossible to tell because the movement of contamination is independent of groundwater.

129) This map shows contours of the water table, the location of four factories (labeled A, B, C, and D), and contaminated (x) and uncontaminated wells (–). Which factory contaminated the groundwater?

A) Factory A

B) Factory B

C) Factory C

D) Factory D

130) Which of the following is NOT a possible source of water contamination?

A) dry cleaners

B) farms

C) rocks that have been mineralized by natural processes but not mined

D) houses

E) All of these are possible sources of contamination.

131) Which one of the following aquifers would be best for purifying groundwater that is contaminated with harmful sewage bacteria?

A) highly fractured granite

B) coarse gravel with few small grains

C) sand

D) cavernous limestone

132) Which of the following would be most useful in investigating groundwater contamination?

A) records of how much material the company may have spilled

B) records of health problems, like leukemia, of people living in the area

C) a map showing contours of the water table and of contamination levels

D) a geologic map

133) Which of the following are human made or human induced substances that can contaminate groundwater?

A) Human wastes

B) Agricultural wastes

C) Insecticides

D) All of these choices are correct.

134) Which of the following are sources of groundwater contaminates?

A) Landfills

B) Service stations

C) Ranches

D) All of these choices are correct.

135) Which of the following is the leading cause of disease in Bangladesh?

A) Water contamination

B) Saltwater intrusion

C) Dewatered aquifers

D) The depth of the water table

136) The septic tank in this figure will probably

A) contaminate all the water in the well.

B) contaminate the part of the well that is lower than the septic tank.

C) contaminate the soil at the well but not the groundwater.

D) not contaminate the well.

137) Why does a plume of contamination spread out (become wider) away from the source of contamination?

A) because the water flows faster and faster

B) because of diffusion of the contamination and mixing of contaminated and uncontaminated water

C) it does not spread out away from the source

D) it will only spread out if it is close to a cone of depression

138) Which of these septic tanks is most likely to spread contaminated groundwater far away from the septic tank, and why?

A) The left septic tank because it is higher in elevation.

B) The right septic tank because it is lower in elevation.

C) The left septic tank because it is in sand.

D) The right septic tank because it is in limestone with caverns.

139) Which of the following is true about how contamination moves in groundwater?

A) Contamination moves up the slope of groundwater.

B) Contamination moves opposite to the direction of groundwater flow.

C) Contamination introduced into the ground does not move.

D) Contamination spreads out as it moves, forming a widening plume.

140) This map shows contours of the water table and the location of a factory that contaminated groundwater. Which way will the contamination flow?

A) northwest, up the contours

B) southwest, parallel to the contours

C) southeast, down the contours

D) no direction because the movement of contamination is independent of groundwater

141) This map shows contours of the water table and the location of a factory that contaminated groundwater. Where would you drill wells to intercept the contamination?

A) right next to the factory

B) north of the factory

C) southeast of the factory

D) southwest of the factory

142) When contamination enters groundwater it typically

A) moves along with the flowing groundwater down the slope of the water table.

B) moves directly through the groundwater from top to bottom.

C) moves across the flowing groundwater in a perpendicular fashion.

143) When contamination enters groundwater, it moves along with the direction of the groundwater. The contamination takes on a particular shape called a

A) plume.

B) cone of contamination.

C) horizontal fissure.

144) According to this graph, which shows water balance for the Ogallala aquifer, which of the following statements are true?

A) More water is taken out of the aquifer than is gained from recharge.

B) Less water is taken out of the aquifer than is gained from recharge.

C) Springs and rivers take out more water than does pumping.

D) As the aquifer dewaters, it expands, increasing the amount of pore space in which to store water.

145) What is the main problem that has developed in the Ogallala aquifer?

A) It has become contaminated with radioactive waste from the Chernobyl accident.

B) Precipitation is heavier to the east, causing tilting of the entire formation.

C) Overpumping may cause southern parts of the aquifer to go dry in the next 100 years.

D) None of these choices are correct.

146) What is the main importance of the Ogallala aquifer?

A) It feeds springs for the largest trout farms in the world.

B) It is an important source of irrigation.

C) It is an important source of coal and hydroelectric power.

D) Radioactive waste has been buried along the eastern side and is leaking.

147) Which of the following is true about the Ogallala aquifer?

A) It was featured in the movie A Civil Action.

B) Water levels are dropping primarily because of overpumping.

C) It is a confined aquifer so is replenished as fast as water is used.

D) None of these choices are correct.

148) The Ogallala Aquifer is located

A) beneath an area extending from South Dakota to the panhandle of Texas.

B) along the Ogallala River in Nebraska.

C) west of the San Andreas Fault in California.

149) The water table in the Investigation was lowest in elevation along the

A) north edge.

B) east edge.

C) south edge.

D) west edge.

150) The main direction in which groundwater flowed in the Investigation area was to the

A) north.

B) east.

C) south.

D) west.

151) In which part of the area in the Investigation would you most likely find uncontaminated groundwater?

A) north

B) east

C) south

D) west