Geology Final Exam Questions with
Latest Update
How is the percent porosity of an aquifer calculated? - Answer-porosity= volume of pore
space/total volume of rock
Write Darcy's Law and identify terms. - Answer-Q = KIA
where
Q= ground water discharge (m3/day)
K= hydraulic conductivity (permeability)(m/day)
I = hydraulic gradient (ratio)(delta/L)
A= cross - sectional area
aquifer - Answer-a body of rock or sediment that stores, filters, and transmits water via
opening within rock sediment
consolidated aquifer - Answer-Developed in bedrock
Comprised of consolidated rock; i.e. sandstone, limestone, granite
unconsolidated aquifer - Answer-Comprised of sediments; i.e. sand, gravel
center pivot irrigation - Answer-Ground water tapping that is a type of irrigation that
waters crops using sprinkler systems on huge turning wheels
primary porosity - Answer-The space that remains between solid grains or crystals
immediately after sediment accumulates or rock forms.
- porosity between individual mineral grains
secondary porosity - Answer-new pore space in rocks, created some time after a rock
first forms
-porosity created by openings or cracks in-between rocks
water table - Answer--The upper level of the saturated zone of groundwater
-the dividing line between saturated and unsaturated zones
gaining stream - Answer-A stream in which groundwater discharges contribute
significantly to the streamflow volume.
- causes humid climates
losing stream - Answer-A stream that is losing water to (or recharging) the groundwater
system.
-sits above the water table
- more arid climates
, artesian system - Answer-a confined aquifer system in which ground water can rise
above its aquifer under its own pressure
- formed by water bearing rocks, the water is confined by both above and below
impermeable beds
explain the water level declines in the Ogallala Aquifer over the past century. Why have
declines occurred? What has been done about it? - Answer-The water declines
because avid gas powered pumping systems, the water table has declined 100 feet
from 1900-1980. Since, regulations have been put in place that limit water withdrawal,
more efficient irrigation practices, and use of waste water
What is karst terrain and how does it form? - Answer-Karst terrain is unique terrain and
drainage features that are developed in areas of soluble bedrock.
- dissolution of limestone results in enlarged voids in subsurfaces.
contaminant plume - Answer-a cloud of contaminated groundwater that moves away
from the source of the contamination in aquifers
Salt water intrusion - Answer-over pumping of groundwater near coast causes salt
water to move into aquifer.
pump and treat - Answer-Pump water to surface, treat it using typical surface water
methods, then pump it back into the aquifer
Permeable Reactive Barriers - Answer-- Groundwater passes through a permeable wall
- Most common material - granular zero valent iron
-contaminates are immobilized or chemically altered to less hazardous compounds
density of snow - Answer-0.5-0.07 g/mL
density of firn - Answer-0.41g- 0.8/cm^3
density of ice - Answer-0.85 -0.92 g/mL
Which two locations on Earth contain 90% of all ice - Answer-Greenland and Antartica
Name four reasons why it is important to study glaciers - Answer-1. they are recorders
of past climates
2. control global sea level changes
3. freshwater supply in mountain areas
4. most effective erosion agent on the planet
what were sea levels compared to present for the glacial, last interglacial, and Holocene
high stand periods - Answer-glacial: (-120m)
Last interglacial: (+5-9m)
Holocene high stand: (+1-2m)
Latest Update
How is the percent porosity of an aquifer calculated? - Answer-porosity= volume of pore
space/total volume of rock
Write Darcy's Law and identify terms. - Answer-Q = KIA
where
Q= ground water discharge (m3/day)
K= hydraulic conductivity (permeability)(m/day)
I = hydraulic gradient (ratio)(delta/L)
A= cross - sectional area
aquifer - Answer-a body of rock or sediment that stores, filters, and transmits water via
opening within rock sediment
consolidated aquifer - Answer-Developed in bedrock
Comprised of consolidated rock; i.e. sandstone, limestone, granite
unconsolidated aquifer - Answer-Comprised of sediments; i.e. sand, gravel
center pivot irrigation - Answer-Ground water tapping that is a type of irrigation that
waters crops using sprinkler systems on huge turning wheels
primary porosity - Answer-The space that remains between solid grains or crystals
immediately after sediment accumulates or rock forms.
- porosity between individual mineral grains
secondary porosity - Answer-new pore space in rocks, created some time after a rock
first forms
-porosity created by openings or cracks in-between rocks
water table - Answer--The upper level of the saturated zone of groundwater
-the dividing line between saturated and unsaturated zones
gaining stream - Answer-A stream in which groundwater discharges contribute
significantly to the streamflow volume.
- causes humid climates
losing stream - Answer-A stream that is losing water to (or recharging) the groundwater
system.
-sits above the water table
- more arid climates
, artesian system - Answer-a confined aquifer system in which ground water can rise
above its aquifer under its own pressure
- formed by water bearing rocks, the water is confined by both above and below
impermeable beds
explain the water level declines in the Ogallala Aquifer over the past century. Why have
declines occurred? What has been done about it? - Answer-The water declines
because avid gas powered pumping systems, the water table has declined 100 feet
from 1900-1980. Since, regulations have been put in place that limit water withdrawal,
more efficient irrigation practices, and use of waste water
What is karst terrain and how does it form? - Answer-Karst terrain is unique terrain and
drainage features that are developed in areas of soluble bedrock.
- dissolution of limestone results in enlarged voids in subsurfaces.
contaminant plume - Answer-a cloud of contaminated groundwater that moves away
from the source of the contamination in aquifers
Salt water intrusion - Answer-over pumping of groundwater near coast causes salt
water to move into aquifer.
pump and treat - Answer-Pump water to surface, treat it using typical surface water
methods, then pump it back into the aquifer
Permeable Reactive Barriers - Answer-- Groundwater passes through a permeable wall
- Most common material - granular zero valent iron
-contaminates are immobilized or chemically altered to less hazardous compounds
density of snow - Answer-0.5-0.07 g/mL
density of firn - Answer-0.41g- 0.8/cm^3
density of ice - Answer-0.85 -0.92 g/mL
Which two locations on Earth contain 90% of all ice - Answer-Greenland and Antartica
Name four reasons why it is important to study glaciers - Answer-1. they are recorders
of past climates
2. control global sea level changes
3. freshwater supply in mountain areas
4. most effective erosion agent on the planet
what were sea levels compared to present for the glacial, last interglacial, and Holocene
high stand periods - Answer-glacial: (-120m)
Last interglacial: (+5-9m)
Holocene high stand: (+1-2m)
