1.0 - Water Cycle

Question 1

How are humans interfering with river flow?

Answer 1

By building dams which prevents flow of water By abstracting lots of water for agriculture and industry which can reduce flow downstraeam

Question 2

What percentage of the earth’s water is fresh water?

Answer 2

2.5%

Question 3

What is evapotranspiration?

Answer 3

The process by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere by evaporation from the soil and other surfaces and by transpiration from plants

Question 4

What is the chemical that can encourage cloud formation?

Answer 4

Silver iodine, it provides a surface in the atmosphere for the water vapour to condense onto.

Question 5

What percentage of water abstracted from rivers, lakes and groundwater is used for agriculture?

Answer 5

67%

Question 6

How can humans affect groundwater availability?

Answer 6

We can over-abstract lowering water table levels beyond the reach of wells. By changing the land-use such as concrete car parks which reduce infiltration rates.

Question 7

What human activity may be reducing precipitation rates?

Answer 7

Deforestation - fewer trees = less evapotranspiration = less rain and a drier climate.

Question 8

What percentage of freshwater is present on the surface of the planet or in the atmosphere?

Answer 8

0.4%

Question 9

How does pollution affect available water?

Answer 9

Pollution makes affected rivers, lakes and groundwater unsuitable for use reducing availability of useable water.