2.1.5: Deficit within the water cycle

Question 1

Water balance

Answer 1

Balance between precipitation, evapotranspiration and run off

Question 2

Water deficit

Answer 2

Precipitation is lower than evapotranspiration and run off (drainage basin is losing more moisture than its gaining)

Question 3

Precipitation equation

Answer 3

P = Q + ET + change in S

Question 4

Q in precipitation equation

Answer 4

discharge

Question 5

ET in precipitation equation

Answer 5

evapotranspiration

Question 6

Change in S in precipitation equation

Answer 6

+ or - change in water storage

Question 7

Three types of drought

Answer 7

meteorological
hydrological
agricultural

Question 8

Meteorological drought

Answer 8

Extended low precipitation compared to average for a region

Question 9

Hydrological drought

Answer 9

When available water reserves fall below acceptable levels can arise even when there has been recent rains.

Question 10

Agricultural drought

Answer 10

Insufficient moisture for average crop production

Question 11

Aquifers

Answer 11

Permeable and porous water-bearing rocks such as chalk

Question 12

Recharged

Answer 12

Aquifer naturally recharged overtime by percolating water

Question 13

Over-abstraction

Answer 13

Over pumping. When water is removed from the pore spaces in permeable rock, the rock loses strength

Question 14

Knock on effect of over-abstraction

Answer 14

If too much weight is added above, ground beneath becomes compacted resulting in a permanent loss of water storage capacity.

Question 15

Artesian aquifers

Answer 15

Develop where sedimentary rocks have formed a syncline structure with the aquifer confined within the impermeable rock

Question 16

Example of an artesian aquifer

Answer 16

The basin of London