Hydrology definitions

Question 1

Aquifers

Answer 1

An underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock. Groundwater can be extracted using a well.

Question 2

Baseflow

Answer 2

Baseflow is the portion of streamflow that is not run-off and results from seepage of water from the ground into a channel slowly over time.

Question 3

Channel flow

Answer 3

The movement of water through a river channel

Question 4

Discharge

Answer 4

The volume of water in the channel

Question 5

Channel

Answer 5

The path through which the river flows.

Question 6

Condensation

Answer 6

Condensation occurs when water vapour is turned back into water droplets as it cools down. Clouds are formed.

Question 7

Drainage basin hydrological cycle

Answer 7

This is an OPEN SYSTEM with INPUTS and OUTPUTS, meaning water enters and leaves the system. It is defined by the watershed.

Question 8

Drainage

Answer 8

The area of land where precipitation collects and drains off into a river.

Question 9

Evaporation

Answer 9

The transformation of water droplets into water vapour heating.

Question 10

Evapotranpiration

Answer 10

The loss of water from a drainage basin into the atmosphere from the leaves, plants and surface stores

Question 11

Groundwater flow

Answer 11

The deeper movement of water through underlying rock strata (layer).

Question 12

Groundwater storage

Answer 12

The storage of water underground in permeable rock strata

Question 13

Groundwater

Answer 13

The water is underground in cracks and spaces in soil, sand and rock. It can often be collected in aquifers.

Question 14

Hydrological cycle

Answer 14

The sequence of conditions through which water passes between the land, sea and the air.

Question 15

Infiltration

Answer 15

The lateral downward movement of water from the surface into the soil.

Question 16

Interception

Answer 16

The prevention of rain from reaching the earth’s surface by trees and plants

Question 17

Surface run off

Answer 17

The movement of water over the surface of the land, usually when the ground is saturated or frozen or when precipitation is too intense for infiltration to occur

Question 18

Percolation

Answer 18

The gravity flow of water downwards within the soil.

Question 19

Precipitation

Answer 19

All forms of moisture that reach the earth’s surface

Question 20

Recharge

Answer 20

Is where water moves downward from the surface water to groundwater. It is the primary method through which water enters an aquifer.

Question 21

Soil water

Answer 21

The volume of water stored in the soil

Question 22

Spring

Answer 22

The point which water flows from an aquifer to the earth’s surface.

Question 23

Stemflow

Answer 23

Water running down a plant stem or tree trunk

Question 24

Surface storage

Answer 24

The total volume of water held on the earth’s surface in lakes, ponds and puddles.

Question 25

Throughfall

Answer 25

Is the process which describes how wet leaves shed excess water onto the ground surface.

Question 26

Throughflow

Answer 26

The movement of water downslope within the soil layer.

Question 27

Transpiration

Answer 27

The process by which plants take up water by their roots and water vapour exits the plants through their stomata.

Question 28

Water table

Answer 28

The boundary between water-saturated ground and unsaturated ground.