4.1 Introduction to Water Systems

Question 1

Hydrological Cycle (Water Cycle)

Answer 1

A (closed) system when considered on a global scale consisting of flows (transfers and transformations) and stores of water.

Question 2

Transformations in water cycle

Answer 2

Evaporation, melting, freezing, condensation.

Question 3

Transfers in water cycle

Answer 3

Precipitation, infiltration, runoff

Question 4

Evaporation

Answer 4

Liquid to a gas (a transformation)

Question 5

Condensation

Answer 5

Gas to a liquid (a transformation)

Question 6

Precipitation

Answer 6

Water falling to the ground as rain, snow, hail etc (a transfer)

Question 7

Advection

Answer 7

Movement of clouds by the wind (a transfer)

Question 8

Transpiration (Evapotranspiration)

Answer 8

A special kind of evaporation from plant leaves.

Question 9

Infiltration

Answer 9

Water soaking into the ground

Question 10

Soil Moisture

Answer 10

Water in the pore spaces of the soil profile.

Not to be confused with an aquifer (which is a saturated layer of porous rock).

Question 11

Aquifer

Answer 11

Groundwater stored in a layer of porous rock.

Question 12

Catchment

Answer 12

Used in the context of rivers.
Drainage area flowing into the same flow/output.

Question 13

Percolation

Answer 13

Filtering of liquid through porous material

Different from infiltration in that it occurs within the porous material.

Infiltration is movement from the outside in to a porous material.

Question 14

Water Budget

Answer 14

A model accounting for the inputs and outputs of water in a system.

Question 15

Urban Water Cycle

Answer 15

The modified outcome of impervious roofs and roads funneling more runoff and inciting less infiltration or local retention following rain events.

Question 16

Stormwater Harvesting

Answer 16

A technique in which stormwater is captured stored and utilised locally rather than it flowing into the broader catchment following a rain event.

Question 17

Porous

Answer 17

Has holes/pores - like a sponge

Question 18

Impermeable/Impervious

Answer 18

Solid barrier restricting the infiltration of water leading to runoff

Question 19

Saturated/Saturation

Answer 19

When the pores in the soil profile are full and cannot soak up further rainfall, which runs off instead

Question 20

Run

Answer 20

Part of a river, characterised by smooth unbroken flow (as opposed to a riffle, which is fast, shallow flow over rocks)

Question 21

Riffle

Answer 21

A feature of a river characterised by fast shallow flow over cobbles or boulders, which break the water surface.
(As opposed to runs which consist of smooth, unbroken flow)