1..Changes In Magnitude Of The Water Cycle Stores

Question 1

The main stores in the water cycle

Answer 1

-Lithosphere(land)
-Hydrosphere (liquid water)
-Cryrosphere (frozen water - snow and ice)
- Atmosphere (air)

Question 2

How long does water remain in stores?

Answer 2

• Soil water = 1-2 months
• Rivers = 2-6 months
• Seasonal snow cover = 2-6 months
  -Glaciers = 20 - 100 years
  -Lakes = 50 - 100 years
  -Groundwater shallow = 100-200 years
  -Groundwater deep =10 000 years

Question 3

Cryosphere

Answer 3

Cryospheric change has a regulatory role in sea levels (1).
The cryosphere is a major store of water (1).
In a period of cooling (glacial period) the cryosphere will grow in size (1). This is because the water cycle is slowed considerably as the ice restricts the return of the water to the sea and
ocean
In a period of warming the cryosphere will add water to the cycle
(1). As the water cycle restarts more of the ice melts and returns water to the sea
This increased the size of ocean store causing sea levels to rise through increased volumes of water (I) and thermal expansion
Consideration of changes in permafrost is also valid (1).

Question 4

Fresh water

Answer 4

• 69% is frozen in the Cryosphere
• 30% is groundwater
• 0.3% is liquid fresh water (lakes/rivers)
• 0.04% is stored as water vapour in the atmosphere