Reference no: EM133598584

Question 1:

1. What are the two key agricultural nutrients of concern for environmental water issues in western Canada?

2. What major problem can be caused by the transfer of each of these nutrients from agricultural land?

3. On which type of soil does each nutrient pose the greatest risk for water quality contamination?

4. What is the water table? An aquifer? An aquitard?

5. What is the difference between a confined and an unconfined aquifer?

6. What is the difference between a groundwater recharge and a groundwater discharge zone?

7. Describe the factors that affect the risk of nutrient movement through soil and into groundwater.

8. What affects the sensitivity of groundwater to contamination risk?

9. Explain the difference between groundwater with high and low connectivity.

10.What proportion of the P in Lake Winnipeg originates outside of Manitoba, from the city of Winnipeg and agriculture within Manitoba?

11.Why is it that the majority of agricultural fields in the Lake Winnipeg watershed do not affect the water quality in the Lake? 12.What are some challenges to limiting P transfer from agricultural land to surface water that are unique to the landscapes and climate of western Canada?

13.Describe the relationship between soil test P and runoff P.

14.What measures can be taken to limit P transfer from agricultural land to surface water that are effective in Manitoba? 15.What affects the sensitivity of surface water to contamination risk?

16.Explain the difference between surface water with high and low connectivity.

17.What are riparian zones and why are they important?

18.What environmental hazards can livestock cause with respect to riparian zone health and the adjacent surface water? 19.What management practices can be used to limit the impact of livestock on riparian zones?

20.What are some management strategies when the risk of a moisture deficit are high?

Question 2:

1. How does irrigation water use compare to other major water users?

2. Where is most of the irrigated land in Canada?

3. What are the 2 key properties affecting the quality of water for irrigation and why are they important?

4. What are the benefits of irrigation?

5. What are the deterrents to irrigation?

6. Be prepared to explain the rationale behind the soil and landscape factors utilized in the AAFC and the MAFRI irrigation suitability classifications.

7. What visual symptoms may indicate a saline soil?

8. What measurement technique is the standard for determining soil salinity?

9. What other methods can be used to assess soil salinity?

10.What two conditions are needed to cause soil salinity?

11.What is the difference between artesian salinity, evaporitic rings and sidehill seeps?

12.Why does irrigation increase the risk of soil salinity?

13.What are the benefits of draining land for agricultural purposes?

14.What are the risks of draining land for agricultural purposes?

15.What are the 2 main types of drainage systems and what are their main differences in terms of suitable soil and landscapes for their use?

16.What management practices can help mitigate drainage issues?