4.1 Introduction to water systems Flashcards

1
Q

what kind of radiation drives the hydrological cycle

A

solar radiation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

storages of the hydrological cycle

A
  • atmosphere
  • organisms
  • soil
  • oceans
  • groundwater
  • lakes
  • rivers
  • glaciers
  • ice caps
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

transformation flows within the hydrological cycle

A

( a change in the state of water during the movement process)
- Evaporation: Water turns into vapour due to solar radiation
- Transpiration: Water vapor escapes from living plants (mainly leaves) and enters atmosphere)
- EVT (evotranspiration): total water loss from evaporation and transpiration
- Condensation: Water vapor cools into liquid droplets.
- Sublimation: Ice converting directly to water vapor.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

transfer flows within the hydrological cycle

A

( the movement of water from one storage to another without changing its state)

  • Surface runoff: Waters over land’s surface.
  • Infiltration: Water seeps into/ is absorbed by soil
  • Stream flow/currents: Movement of water in channels (ie. streams and rivers)
  • Advection: the horizontal movement of energy or matter
  • Percolatoin: the process where water moves downward through soil and rocks into groundwater)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

human impacts on the hydrological cycle A

A

Agriculture
- Irrigation: the addition of water to areas where it is insufficient for adequate crop growth (can be taken from surface stores ie. lakes, dams, resovoirs)
-> increases EVT (added water = more loss to the atmosphere)
-> reduces Earths albedo (reflective sandy surfaces are replaced with dark green crops)
-> can cause salinsation (more water= more evaporation = more salt ‘left behind’ + promotion of salt-tolerant organisms = can shift ecosystem balance)

  • Grazing
    -> decline in inflitration due to compation of soil
  • Ploughing
    -> increase in infiltration due to loosening of soil
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

human impacts on the hydrological cycle D

A

Deforestation
increased light intensity, temperature, wind speed, moisture at ground level:

-> organic matter decomposed at a faster rate

-> raindrop impact increases = compacts soil

-> EVT rates decrease (less plants (lower soil quality), less water on canopies)

-> overland runoff increases

-> increased soil erosion (less topsoil, less infiltration, lower soil fertility)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

human impacts on the hydrological cycle U

A

Urbanisation
- removal of trees/vegetation: lower EVT/interception
- initial construction of houses, streets
-> decreased infiltration
-> increased stream sedimentation (build-up of soil, sand, other particles in rivers and streams)
- road construction/dams = can change water flows (speed, direction)
- large mechanical vehicles = compact soil -> less infiltration, less percolation, more erosion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Ocean circulation systems

A

driven by differences in temperature and salinity that affect water density. the resulting difference in water density creates a global “conveyor belt” of ocean currents that distributes heat around the world, so affecting the climate.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

The Ocean Conveyor Belt

A
  • Surface currents carry warm water from the equator towards the poles.
  • As water cools near the poles, it becomes denser and sinks.
  • Deep ocean currents carry cold water back towards the equator.
  • This cycle helps distribute heat globally, influencing climate patterns.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

link between the hydrological cycle and climate

A
  • Water vapor is a greenhouse gas, meaning it traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. As temperatures rise due to other greenhouse gases (like CO₂), more water evaporates, increasing the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere.
    This amplifies the greenhouse effect, causing further warming. This is a positive feedback loop.
  • Cloud formation increases global albedo and therefore lowers temperature. BUT cirrus clouds (low, thin) trap heat (infrared radiation) and lead to higher temps, contributing to gh effect.
  • Ocean currents distribute heat, shaping regional climates.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Salinity notes (ocean circulation)

A
  • hgher in warm seas (because of more evaporation)
  • tropical seas: drops sharply with depth
  • thawing of large icebergs = decreases in salinity (they lack salt)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Temperature notes (ocean circulation)

A
  • varies at surface / little variation at depth
  • large decrease with depth (thermocline) -> limits mixing of surface and deep water
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Density notes (ocean circulation)

A
  • higher temps = less dense
  • lower temps = more dense
  • lower temps + more saline + deep = very dense
  • higher temps + less saline + surface = less dense
  • dense water slips UNDER less dense water
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Specific heat capacity

A
  • amount of energy it takes to raise temps of a body
  • more energy needed to heat water than land BUT water takes longer to cool
  • places close to the sea: cool in day, mild at night
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly