Geography- Water Flashcards
What is the definition of a ‘riverine environment’?
The environment around a river or on a river bank.
What is the water cycle?
The water cycle is the process in which water evaporates, condenses and falls again as precipitation, in rain, hail, sleet or snow.
How long does water stay in the atmosphere for and where can it be found on Earth?
Water stays in the atmosphere for an average of 9 days and can be found in rivers, lakes, glaciers, oceans, dams, and underground.
Much of the world does water cover?
What percentage of that is fresh water and where is it found?
How much of the water is accessible for humans to drink?
Water covers about 75% of the Earth’s surface. 2.5% of that is fresh water, found in glaciers, underground and in rivers and lakes. However, only less than one percent is accessible for humans to drink! As we cannot access the water hidden in glaciers and underground.
What is rainfall variability?
Rainfall variability is the change from year to year in the amount of rainfall in a given location.
What is relative humidity?
Relative humidity is the amount of moisture in the air.
What are the three main things that water is used for?
Agricultural use- growing food, plants and breeding animals. (Farming)
Domestic use- water used in households.
Industrial use- water used during the production of goods.
What is water scarcity and water stress?
Water scarcity is a situation that occurs when the demand for water is greater than the supply available. Water stress is a situation that occurs in a country with less than 1000 cubic meters of fresh water per person (in a year).
Why is there water scarcity?
- depends on where the rain falls
- if water is polluted so it can’t be used
- water is being used for agricultural and industrial use instead.
What is virtual water and a water footprint?
Virtual water is water that was used in the production of goods and services, (hidden water). A water footprint is the total volume or water that is used to produce goods and services consumed by an individual or country.
What is the difference between blue, green and grey water?
Blue water is the freshwater found in lakes, aquifers, rivers and wetlands.
Green water is water that is stored in the soil or on top of the soil, or used in vegetation (rainfall used for crop growth).
Grey water is water polluted after industrial, household and agricultural use.
What does BOLTSS stand for?
Border Orientation Legend Title Scale Source
What is a contour line and a contour interval?
A contour line is a line on a map joining parts of equal height above or below sea level. A contour interval is the distance in elevation between contour lines.
