Chapter 13

Question 1

Zone of saturation

Answer 1

The spaces in soil and rock close to the earth’s surface
hold little moisture. However, below a certain depth, in
the zone of saturation, these spaces are completely
filled with water.

Question 2

Water table

Answer 2

The top of this groundwater zone

Question 3

Aquifers

Answer 3

underground caverns and porous layers of sand, gravel, or rock through which groundwater flows

Question 4

Surface water

Answer 4

the freshwater from precipitation and melted snow that flows across the earth’s land surface and into lakes, wetlands, streams, rivers, estuaries, and ultimately into the oceans.

Question 5

Surface runoff

Answer 5

Precipitation that does not infiltrate the ground or return to the atmosphere by evaporation is called

Question 6

Watershed or drainage basin

Answer 6

The land from which surface water drains into a particular river, lake, wetland, or other body of water is called its

Question 7

Reliable runoff

Answer 7

According to water scientists (hydrologists), two-thirds of the annual surface runoff into rivers and streams is lost in seasonal floods and is not available for human use. The remaining one-third is

Question 8

Drought

Answer 8

a prolonged period in which precipitation is at least 70% lower than average and evaporation is higher than normal in a particular area.

Question 9

Groundwater

Answer 9

one of our most important sources of freshwater and a key component of the earth’s natural capital.

Question 10

Desalinization

Answer 10

involves removing dissolved salts from
ocean water or from brackish (slightly salty) water in
aquifers or lakes. It is another way to increase supplies
of freshwater

Question 11

Floodplain

Answer 11

A flood happens when water in a stream overflows its normal channel and spills into an adjacent area, called a