Hydrological Aspects of Global Change

Typical Exam Questions


1. Sketch and discuss the structure of the coastal freshwater lens.

2. How might the coastal supply of freshwater be vulnerable to climate change through

3. Vulnerability of hydrologic systems to climate change:

4. Schaake's study of the relationship between precipitation, evapotranspiration, and runoff showed that when precipitation or evapotranspiration changed by 10%, significant changes in runoff can occur in certain parts of the US. Discuss this relationship.

5. In the lecture on the hydrological cycle, 5 criteria were discussed for identifying regions at risk for water availability. List two of these criteria and for each give a region of the US that is at risk.

6. Sketch a vertical cross-section showing a well that is being vigorously pumped. Label the bottom of the vadose (unsaturated) zone. Referring to your sketch, discuss what might occur if this was on an ocean island.

7. Why did Mickey Glantz study the Ogallala aquifer, the Mississippi River, the Great Salt Lake, and other US regions in order to learn more about global warming?

8. Give the lessons learned from one of the case studies (ex. Ogallala aquifer, Mississippi River, Colorado River, etc.).

9. Ogallala aquifer

10. What does Glantz attempt to learn about future global climate change by studying past environmental crises?

11. Depending on your point of view, the deep oceans may be considered either an internal or an external influence on climate change. Explain.

12. Fresh water supply and demand