Impervious Surfaces & Runoff Quiz

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Impervious Surfaces & Runoff Quiz

Roads, roofs, reduced infiltration (10 questions).

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Impervious Surfaces & Runoff Quiz: Quick Study Notes

Impervious surfaces like roads and roofs are a fundamental component of urban landscapes, yet they significantly alter natural hydrological processes. This quiz explores how these surfaces prevent water from soaking into the ground, leading to increased stormwater runoff, reduced groundwater recharge, and various environmental challenges. Understanding these impacts is crucial for sustainable urban planning and water management.

Core Concepts

Roads Extensive networks of asphalt and concrete, facilitating transportation but blocking water absorption.
Roofs Building coverings, typically non-porous materials like shingles or metal, channeling precipitation away.
Reduced Infiltration The core impact, where water cannot penetrate the soil, altering natural groundwater replenishment.
Increased Runoff Direct consequence of reduced infiltration, leading to rapid water flow over the surface.

Key Takeaways

  • Impervious surfaces are human-made structures (roads, roofs, sidewalks, parking lots) that prevent water from infiltrating the soil.
  • They drastically reduce natural groundwater recharge and increase the volume and velocity of surface runoff.
  • Increased runoff contributes to flash flooding, soil erosion, and the transport of pollutants into waterways.
  • Common pollutants carried by stormwater include oil, grease, heavy metals, pesticides, and litter.
  • Sustainable urban planning emphasizes green infrastructure (e.g., permeable pavements, green roofs, rain gardens) to mitigate these negative impacts.
  • Effective stormwater management aims to mimic natural hydrological processes, allowing water to slow down, spread out, and soak in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are impervious surfaces?

Impervious surfaces are man-made structures—like roads, roofs, sidewalks, and parking lots—that are covered by impenetrable materials such as asphalt, concrete, brick, and stone. They prevent water from soaking into the ground.

How do impervious surfaces affect the water cycle?

They significantly alter the natural water cycle by reducing the infiltration of rainwater into the soil, thereby decreasing groundwater recharge. Instead, water flows over these surfaces as stormwater runoff.

What are the main environmental impacts of increased stormwater runoff?

Increased stormwater runoff can lead to flash flooding, erosion of stream banks, pollution of rivers and lakes (due to picking up contaminants like oil, chemicals, and debris), and a reduction in the water available for groundwater aquifers.

What is “reduced infiltration” in the context of impervious surfaces?

Reduced infiltration refers to the diminished ability of rainwater to penetrate the ground and replenish groundwater supplies. Impervious surfaces cover the soil, acting as a barrier and forcing water to run off the surface instead of being absorbed.

What solutions exist to manage runoff from impervious surfaces?

Solutions include green infrastructure practices such as permeable pavements, green roofs, rain gardens, bioswales, and planting more trees. These methods aim to capture, filter, and infiltrate stormwater, mimicking natural processes.

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