41.9.3. Role in Hydrologic Cycle

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is infiltration?

   Hint

   Think about how water behaves after a rainfall.

2. 2.

   Define percolation.

   Hint

   What happens to the water after it has soaked into the ground?

3. 3.

   What process describes water penetrating the soil surface?

   • A) Runoff
   • B) Infiltration
   • C) Evaporation

   Hint

   It begins right after it rains.

4. 4.

   True or False: Groundwater recharge occurs primarily through evaporation.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider the pathways water takes to reach aquifers.

5. 5.

   Suppose a local area experiences heavy rainfall. Calculate the potential impact on groundwater recharge if the soil is sandy versus clayey.

   Hint

   Consider the porosity and permeability of each soil type.

6. 6.

   Discuss how increased urbanization affects the hydrologic cycle in terms of infiltration and runoff.

   Hint

   Think about how cities and buildings change the landscape.