Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Physical Geography: The Water Cycle > EQ1 > Flashcards

EQ1 Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
U.S. Geography flashcards World Geography flashcards
1
Q

what is the hydrological cycle

A

The global hydrological cycle is a closed system driven by solar energy and gravitational potential energy

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

what makes the hydrological cycle a closed system

A

It does not have external inputs and outputs so there is a fixed amount of water in the Earth

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

where is the water stored in the hydrological cycle

A

This water can exist in stores and move between these stores in a series of transfers

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

TRUE or FALSE when water is transferred between stores in the hydrological cycle it doesnt change matter ever

A

false
Some of these transfers involve a change in state, while others just a movement of water from one store to another

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

what are fluxes

A

Fluxes are the rates of flow between stores. The greatest fluxes occur over the oceans.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what are fluxes driven by

A

Fluxes are driven by precipitation, evaporation, cryospheric exchange and run off generation (both surface + ground water)

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

what are the 4 water stores

A
  • ocean
  • terrestrial
  • cryosphere water
  • atmosphere
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what are the 2 types of terrestrial water stores

A

greenwater and bluewater

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

examples of greenwater

A

underground (soil)

vegetation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

examples of bluewater

A

lakes
rivers
underground (aquifers)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what water stores have the longest residence times

A

groundwater and ice caps

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what is residence time

A

Residence time = the average times a water molecule will spend in a reservoir or store

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what is fossil water

A

ancient, deep groundwater from former wetter times, it’s not renewable or reachable for human use

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

why do some stores have shorter residence times

A

Some very accessible stores, such as soil moisture and small lakes and rivers have a much shorter residence time because it’s easily lost to other stores

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what water store has the shortest residence time

A

Atmospheric water has the shortest residence times as it evaporates, condenses and falls to the Earth as precipitation within about 10 days

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

TRUE OR FALSE there is no link between pollution levels and residence times

A

FALSE
there is a link
Longer the residence times the more easily they are polluted as the water is in situ for a longer length of time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what is the water budget

A

It is the balance between precipitation, evaporation and run off

It can be useful at global, regional and local scales

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what does the global water budget take into account

A

The global water budget takes into account all the water that is held in stores and flows of the global hydrological cycle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

why are regional/local water budget useful

A

Water budgets at this scale provide a more useful indication of available water supplies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

at a local water budget scale does it show:
A. convergence
B. annual balance between inputs and outputs
C. temperature

A

B
At a more local scale , water budgets show the annual balance between inputs (ppt) and outputs (EVT) and how this can impact soil water availability.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

why are local water budgets so important

A

Soil moisture budget is a subsystem of the catchment water balance and is vital to agriculturalist

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

what is a catchment water balance

A

a record of the water volume that enters and leaves a catchment area over a period of time, as well as the change in water storage during that time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

what is the water drainage basin budget formula

A

P = Q+E±S

P = ppt Q = discharge E = evt S = changes in storage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

finish the sentence:
Soil moisture can either be in…

A

surplus, deficiency or recharge

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

what creates a soil moisture surplus

A

If precipitation exceeds evapotranspiration and the excess has not been used by plants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

what creates a soil moisture deficit

A

when evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation there is a deficiency

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

what creates a soil moisture recharge

A

occurs when water is replaced after a dried period

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

TRUE or FALSE is the drainage basin a closed system

A

FALSE
its an open system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

is the drainage basin a…
A. subsystem within the global hydrological cycle
B. a system within the soil moisture cycle
C. a subsystem within the global water budget

A

A. A subsystem within the global hydrological cycle

The drainage basin is a subsystem within the global hydrological cycle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

External inputs and outputs cause what within the drainage basin

A

It is an open system as it has external inputs and outputs that cause the amount of water in the basin to vary overtime

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

on what sort of scale do variations of the drainage basin variations occur on

A

These variations can occur at different temporal scales:
→ hourly
→ daily
→ seasonally
→ annually

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What is the drainage basin systems input

A

precipitation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

what are the certain conditions that precipitation need to occur

A
  • Air cooled to saturation point with a relative humidity of 100%
  • Condensation nuclei, such as dust particles, to facilitate the growth of droplets in clouds
  • A temperature below dew point ( point where there is no longer gas and must condense) - the temperature at which dew form, its a measure of atmospheric moisture
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

what are the three types of rain

A

convectional
cyclonic
orographic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

where is convectional rainfall most common

A

tropical areas and in the UK summer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

what creates convectional rainfall

A

when the land becomes HOT heating the air above expanding and rising, as it RISES it COOLS and its ability to hold onto water vapour DECREASES . Condensation occurs creating clouds and if the air continues to RISE rain will fall

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

when does cyclonic rainfall occur

A

when WARM air is forced to rise over dense COOL air.
as it rises the air cools and its ability to hold water vapour DECREASES
COndensation occurs and clouds and rain form

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

when does orographic rainfall occur

A

when air is forced to rise over a barrier e.g mountain
it cools and condensation takes place forming rain.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

when orographic rainfall occurs the leeward (downwind) slope receives
LOTS of rainfall
OR
LITTLE rainfall

bonus points: this is known as the ___ ___ effect

A

little rainfall

this is known as the rain shadow effect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

what are the factors influence precipitation on the drainage basin within the hydrological cycle

A
  • Amount of precipitation
  • Type of precipitation
  • Seasonality
  • Intensity of precipitation
  • Variability
    -The distribution of precipitation within a basin
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

how does the amount of precipitation influence precipitation on the drainage basin

A

the amount of precipitation, has a direct impact on drainage discharge

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

how does the type of precipitation (rain, snow, hail) influence precipitation on the drainage basin

A

snow acts as a temporary store, large fluxes of water released into the system after a period of rapid melting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

how does the seasonality influence precipitation on the drainage basin

A

strong seasonal patterns of rainfall or snowfall will have a major impact on the physical processes operating in the drainage basin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

how does the intensity of precipitation influence the drainage basin

A

intensity impacts flows on or below the surface. It is difficult for rainfall to infiltrate for example if it’s very intense as soil capacity has exceeded

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

how does the variability of precipitation influence the drainage basin

A

variability can be seen in 3 ways
- secular variability happens long term, e.g climate change trends

  • Periodic variability happens in annual, seasonal, monthly or diurnal (day+night) context
  • Stochastic variability, results from random factors e.g localization of thunderstorm
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

how does the distribution of precipitation within a basin influence the drainage basin

A

Large drainage basins catch more precipitation so have a higher peak discharge compared to smaller basins.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

what are the flows and transfers of the drainage basin

A

Interception
Infiltration
through flow
overland flow
percolation
saturated overland flow
groundwater flow
channel flow

46
Q

what is interception

A

its the process where water is stored in vegetation

47
Q

what are the 3 main components of interception

A

interception loss
through fall
stem flow

48
Q

what is interception loss

A

This is water that’s retained by plant surfaces and later evaporated or absorbed by the vegetation and transpired.

49
Q

when does interception loss occur

A

When the rain is light, for example drizzle, or if short duration, much of the water will never reach the ground and will be recycled by this process.

50
Q

when does through fall occur

A

This is when the rainfall persists or is relatively intense, and the water drops from the leaves, twigs, needles etc

51
Q

what is stem flow

A

This is when water trickles along twigs and branches and then down the trunk

52
Q

factors affecting interception capacity

A

type of tree
seasons in deciduous
wind speeds
intensity and duration of rainfall

53
Q

how does the type of tree affect interception capacity

A

dense needle coniferous trees allow greater accumulation of water

54
Q

how does the seasons in deciduous forests affect interception capacity

A

summer months will have greater interception

55
Q

how does the intensity and duration of precipitation affect interception capacity

A

when lots of rain falls the trees become saturated with water so less will be intercepted

55
Q

how does the wind speeds affect interception capacity

A

water can be lost from trees leaves in the wind and more water can be evaporated off the leaves

56
Q

what is infiltration

A

The movement of water from the ground surface into the soil

57
Q

what is infiltration capacity

A

the maximum rate at which rain can absorbed by the soil

58
Q

what factors influence infilitration

A

duration of rainfall
antecedent of soil moisture
soil porosity
vegetation cover
soil surface and structure
slope angle

59
Q

how does duration of rainfall affect infiltration

A

Infiltration capacity decreases with time through a period of rainfall until a more or less constant low value is reached

60
Q

how does antecedent of soil moisture affect infiltration

A

The rate of infiltration also depends on the amount of water already in the soil (antecedent of soil moisture) as surface or overland flow will take place when the soil is saturated

61
Q

what does antecedent of soil moisture even mean

A

the amount of water already in the soil

62
Q

how does soil porosity affect infiltration

A

Whether sand, silt, loam or clay - also influences porosity
E.g sandy soils capacity = 3-12mm/hr
E.g less permeable clays 0-4 mm/hr

63
Q

how does vegetation cover affect infiltration

bonus points: explain why this has led to recent changes in areas liable to flooding

A

The type, amount and seasonal changes in vegetation cover are a key factor with infiltration being far more significant in land covered by forests (50mm/hr) or moorland (42mm/hr)

hence the recent drive to vegetate upland catchments that flow into areas liable to flooding

64
Q

how does slope angle affect infiltration

A

e.g very steep slopes tend to encourage overland run-off with shallower slopes promoting infiltration

65
Q

what is overland flow

A

This type of flow occurs when precipitation intensity exceeds
the infiltration rate.

66
Q

when does overland flow occur

A
  • there is an intense torrential storm
    high levels of precipitation over a longer period of time
  • there is a release of very large quantities of melt water from snow
  • the ground in hot arid climates become baked and unvegetated.
67
Q

what is through flow

A

Refers to the lateral transfer of water down slope through the soil via percolines (lines of concentrated water flow between soil horizons and the river channel).

68
Q

what are percolines

A

lines of concentrated water flow between soil horizons and the river channel

69
Q

TRUE or FALSE through flow is faster than overland flow

A

FALSE
through flow is slower than overland flow, this transfer can occur quite rapidly in porous, sandy soil.

70
Q

what is percolation

A

The transfer of water from the surface or from the soil into the bedrock beneath

71
Q

what does the rock have to be for percolation to occur

A

The rock needs to be permeable either:
with joints e.g limestone
or
pores e.g chalk and sandstone.

72
Q

where is percolation most likely to occur

A

This is much more likely to occur in humid climates with vegetated slopes.

73
Q

what is saturated overland flow

A

The upward movement of the water table into the evaporation zone

74
Q

when does saturated overland flow occur

A

After lots of heavy rain the ground becomes saturated and so any further rain that falls will have to flow OVERLAND.

75
Q

what is groundwater flow

A

It is a very slow transfer of percolated water through permeable or porous rocks

76
Q

why is groundwater flow important

A

It is important in maintaining a steady level of channel flow in varying weather conditions.

77
Q

what is channel flow

A

This takes place in the river once water from the three transfers reaches it and directly from precipitation.

78
Q

what are the drainage basin system output

A

evaporation
transpiration
evapotranspiration
channel flow

79
Q

what is evaporation

A

The process by which moisture is lost directly into the atmosphere from water surfaces and soil.

80
Q

In what situation increases evaporation rates

A

Evaporation increases in warm, windy and dry conditions.

81
Q

what are the climatic factors that influence the rate of evapouration

A

Temperature – most important
Hours of sunshine
Humidity
Wind speed
Size of the body of water
Depth of water
Type of vegetation cover
Colour of the surface (albedo)

82
Q

what is transpiration

A

Is the biological process by which water is lost from plants through minute pores (stomata) and transferred to the atmosphere.

83
Q

transpiration rates depend on?

A
  • time of year
  • type and amount of vegetation cover
  • how much moisture there is in the atmosphere
  • length of growing season
84
Q

what is evapourtransipration

A

The combined effect of evaporation and transpiration. It represents the most important aspect of water loss to the atmosphere.

85
Q

what is channel flow

A

The flow of water in streams and rivers to the sea /ocean

86
Q

How does temperature influence the rate of evaporation

A

Higher temperatures increase the rate of evaporation

87
Q

How does hours of sunshine influence the rate of evaporation

A

More hours of sunshine generally increase evaporation rates because of the sun’s heat

88
Q

how does humidity influence the rate of evapouration

A

Higher humidity levels slow down the rate of evaporation.

89
Q

how does wind speed influence the rate of evaporation

A

Wind speed helps evaporation by blowing suspended water molecules away from the liquid’s surface, allowing more room for water vapour.

90
Q

how does size of body of water influence rate of evapouration

A

Increased surface area allows water molecules to absorb more heat energy from the environment, which helps them evaporate

91
Q

how does the depth of water influence rate of evapouration

A

Shallow water body results in more evaporation as solar radiations can be effective throughout the depth of in case of shallow water body

92
Q

how does color of the surface influence rate of evapouration

A

Darker coloured surfaces absorb more light and heat, which causes them to evaporate faster than lighter coloured surfaces

93
Q

what are the inputs, flows and outputs that are influenced by human activity

A

Precipitation
Evaporation
Interception
Infiltration and soil water
Ground water

94
Q

how has human activity influenced precipitation

A

cloud seeding

95
Q

what is cloud seeding

A

the introduction of silver iodine pellets or ammonium nitrate, to act as condensation nuclear to attract water droplets

96
Q

what is the aim of cloud seeding

A

The aim is to increase rainfall in dry areas

97
Q

How has evapotranspiration influenced by human activity

A

deforestation
artificial reservoirs behind dams
channelisation

98
Q

how has deforestation influenced rate of evapotranspiration

A

reduces transpiration

99
Q

how has artificial reservoirs behind dams influenced the rate of evapotranspiration

A

increases evaporation

100
Q

how has channelisation influenced the rate of evapotranspiration

A

cuts down surface storage - decreases evaporation

101
Q

how has interception been influenced by human activity

A

Its largely determined by vegetation type and density so deforestation and afforestation both have significant impacts

102
Q

what is deforestation

A

the intentional removal of forests or trees from land to make it suitable for other uses

103
Q

what are the impacts of deforestation on the drainage basin

A

-Reduction in evapotranspiration and an increase in surface runoff
-Increases flooding potential
-Decline in surface storage
-Decreases in lag time - speeds up the cycle
-Increase in sediment downstream

104
Q

what is afforestation

A

new trees are planted or seeds are sown in an area where there were no trees before, creating a new forest

105
Q

what are the impacts of afforestation on the drainage basin

A

-Reverse impact - trapping sediment and slowing the hydrological cycle by lengthening lag times
-However only true about 30 years after planting – due to compacted ground due to planting equipment and little cover by younger trees

106
Q

why is infiltration and soil within the drainage basin influenced by human activity

A

Largely resulted in a change in land use

107
Q

TRUE or FALSE
Infiltration is 5x greater under forests when compared with grassland

A

TRUE

108
Q

how is the rate of infiltration influenced by farmland and its uses

A

Reduced interception
Increased soil compaction
More overland flow

Land use practises are also important

Grazing cows - leads to soil compaction so reduces infiltration
Ploughing - loosens and aerates soil so increases infiltration

109
Q

how has human activity influenced groundwater within the drainage basin

A

Irrigation has lead to the decline in the water table

110
Q

how does urbanisation effects hydrological cycle

A

Building activity leads to clearing of vegetation, which exposes soil and increases overland flow. Piles of disturbed and dumped soil increase erodibility. Eventually the bare soil is replaced by a covering of concentrate and tarmac, both of which are impermeable

The high density of buildings means that rain falls onto roofs and is then swiftly dispatched into drains by gutters and pipes

Drains and skewers are built, which reduce the distance that storm water must travel before reaching a channel. The increase in the velocity occurs because sewers generate less friction than natural pathways: sewers are designed to drain water quickly.

Urban rivers tend to be channelised with embankments to guard against flooding. When floods occur they can be more devastating as the river overtops defences in a very confined space

Bridges can restrain the free discharge of floodwaters and act as local dams for upstream floods

In extreme weather events urban areas are highly vulnerable. They manage flood control problems with a higher, quicker peak discharge, well as pollution problems from the storm water which washes off the roads, containing toxic substances

111
Q

how can humans manage their influence on the drainage basin

A

Developing appropriate land use – forestry and moorlands in the upper areas
Managing development in the lower part of the catchment by land use zoning
Limiting building on the floodplains – making space to flood
Defend high value properties and installations against flooding
Low cost strategies that can be used in lower flood risk areas;
– Semi permeable surfaces for car parks
– High level wiring systems in houses
– Government develop affordable insurances
– Building regulations can be tightened to ensure flood proof property designs

112
Q
A

Physical Geography: The Water Cycle (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions