3.1.1.2 The Water Cycle Flashcards
What are the five main sub-systems?
Lithosphere Hydrosphere Cryosphere Atmosphere Biosphere
What percentage of global water is stored in oceans?
96.6%
How much of the Earth’s water is fresh water?
3.7%
Of the total amount of fresh water on Earth, what percentage is stored as snow and ice?
69%
Of the total amount of fresh water on Earth, what percentage is groundwater?
30%
Of all fresh water on earth, how much is surface or atmospheric water?
1.2%
What are the five main oceanic stores?
Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic and Souther
What are the five main stores of cryospheric water?
Sea Ice - Antarctica Ice Caps - Icelandic cap Ice sheets - Greenland Alpine Glaciers - Mer de Glace , France Permafrost - Alaska
How much would sea levels rise by if the Greenland ice sheet melted?
6m
If the Antarctic ice sheet melted, how much would sea levels rise?
60m
What are the main stores of terrestrial water?
Surface
Ground
Soil
Biological/biomass
What are the main processes in the water cycle?
Evaporation, condensation, transpiration, cloud formation, precipitation formation
What are the main processes in the cryosphere?
Accumulation - snow building up
Ablation - melting
How long does water typical remain in rivers?
2-6 months
How long does water typical remain in soil?
1-2 months
How long does water typical remain in ground water?
100-100,000 years