Ch. 14

Question 1

Aral Sea

Answer 1

Sea in former Soviet Union that had its feeder rivers diverted, making its water levels drop salinity levels increase and biodiversity decrease. Without it, the climate buffer it provided is now gone

Question 2

Aquifer

Answer 2

Underground caverns through whcih groundwater flows

Question 3

California Water Project

Answer 3

Transport water from north to south California. Not sustainable

Question 4

Center pivot low pressure sprinklers

Answer 4

This brings water precisely to crops, sprayed with mobile boom with sprinklers.

Question 5

Channelization

Answer 5

Straightening and deepening streams that reduces upstream flooding.

Question 6

Consumptive water use

Answer 6

Does not return water to its original source like evaporation seepage into ground transport to another area or contamination.

Question 7

Distillation

Answer 7

Heating saltwater until it evaporates, leaves behind salts in solid form and condenses as freshwater.

Question 8

Drip / micro irrigation

Answer 8

Most effective, Tubes or pipes are brought to plant roots.

Question 9

Flood irrigation

Answer 9

Loses most water, floods strips between crops, and is one of the most common.

Question 10

Natural recharge

Answer 10

Replaces aquifers by precipitation that percolates downwards through soil and rock.

Question 11

Nonconsumptive use

Answer 11

Does not remove water, Power plants for example return water back even if some is lost to the atmosphere.

Question 12

Ogallala aquifer

Answer 12

Large aquifer in US from North Dakota to Texas.

Question 13

Rainwater harvesting

Answer 13

Capturing rainwater and storing it for use in the dry season. Useful in India’s monsoon season.

Question 14

Reliable runoff

Answer 14

Surface runoff that is sure to be a source of freshwater from year to year.

Question 15

Reverse osmosis / Microfiltration

Answer 15

Uses high pressure to force saltwater through a membrane filter to only leave freshwater.

Question 16

Sinkholes

Answer 16

When the roof of an underground cavern collapses after being drained of the groundwater that supports it and creates a large surface crater.

Question 17

Soil moisture detectors

Answer 17

Helps farmers cut irrigation water use.

Question 18

Gray water

Answer 18

Dirtied water from the home that can be used for irrigation.

Question 19

Land subsidence

Answer 19

When withdrawing water causes the land above it to collapse.

Question 20

Lateral recharge

Answer 20

Aquifers recharged by nearby streams

Question 21

Low energy precision application (LEPA)

Answer 21

A type of center pivot irrigation that is 90% efficient by being closer to the ground and in larger droplets.

Question 22

Three Gorges Dam

Answer 22

Largest Hydroelectric dam that produces a lot of electricity and has a lot of sediment buildup.

Question 23

tiered water pricing system

Answer 23

First tier counts nothing for the poor, and increases as use increase, and be higher in the summer when the demand is higher.

Question 24

User pays approach

Answer 24

Each house gets a set amount, and price increases as water use increases.

Question 25

Water table

Answer 25

Top of zone of saturation that falls in dry weather and when groundwater is withdrawn quickly.

Question 26

Xeriscaping

Answer 26

Replacing green lawns with rocks or native vegetation that reduces water use.