Water Cycle
Hydrosphere
Soils
Watersheds
Miscellaneous
100
Process of the water cycle in which water vapor in the atmosphere cools and changes back into liquid form.
Condensation
100
What is the root of the word hydrosphere?
What is the hydrosphere?
Hydro: Greek word for water
The water on and in Earth’s crust makes up the hydrosphere
100
This soil is gritty and does not hold onto moisture well
Sand
100
An area of land that drains into a specific river, lake, or bay
Watershed
100
What Watershed is Three Forks, MT in?
Missouri River Watershed
OR
Gallatin Valley Watershed (feeder to the Missouri)
200
Process of the water cycle in which water seeps into groundwater stores (aka aquifers)
Infiltration
200
What is runoff?
Water flowing down slope above Earth’s surface
200
___________ is the balanced mixture of all three soil types.
Loam
200
The best way to cut down on erosion near a stream?
Planting vegetation
200
How much of Earth’s water is actually drinkable and accessible for human use?
3% is freshwater and of that about 1% is accessible to humans
300
Process of the water cycle in which the sun warms water on Earth’s surface. It causes liquid water to change into a gas.
Evaporation
300
What two processes help maintain aquifer (groundwater) levels?
Precipitation and infiltration
300
What are the soil horizons ordered from top to bottom?
O-horizon, A-horizon, B-horizon, and C-horizon
300
What is the elevated land area that separates one watershed from another
Divide
300
What is another name for water in its gaseous form?
Water vapor
400
What is the driving force of the water cycle?
the Sun
400
What is the location of most of Earth's freshwater
Glaciers
400
The three primary particles that make up soil, ranked from largest to smallest
Sand, silt and clay
400
What is the difference between point source pollution vs. and non-point source pollution?
Point source: originates from one identifiable location
Non-point source: widespread contamination caused by rainfall/snow melt that pick up pollutants and deposit them into bodies of water
400
Using your inference skills: Which plant tells us there is an aquifer below? Why?
The Native Prairie Grasses because they have long roots; which means there is an aquifer deep below the surface.
500
Process of the water cycle in which the sun warms plants, it causes water to evaporate out of the leaves through the small openings
Transpiration
500
Are impervious or permeable surfaces better in terms of runoff?
Permeable: allows water to infiltrate and replenish groundwater reserves.
Impervious creates a lot of runoff which can pick up pollutants or collect in oceans (non usable water sources)
500
This soil property determines how easily water moves through the soil
Permeability
500
True or False: A Watershed is ONLY the water in a river or stream in an area?
False: A watershed is the entire land area that drains into a body of water, including soil, vegetation, and buildings)
500
Why does soil need water and air?
To maintain a healthy ecosystem for plant roots and beneficial microorganisms
(Water transports nutrients and supports life, while air (oxygen) enables root respiration and microbial activity, which are both essential for plant growth and nutrient recycling)