Hydrosphere Flashcards

1
Q

Name 8 physical influences on hydrography and drainage basins

A
  • Geology - permeable, impermeable, porous
  • Temperature
  • Soil
  • Drainage density
  • Tides and storms
  • Size, shape and relief of basin
  • Precipitation - intensity, duration, amount
  • Vegetation
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2
Q

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

A

Higher

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3
Q

Smaller basins generally have _____ lag times as water doesn’t have as far to travel.

A

Shorter

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4
Q

Drainage basins that are more circular in shape lead to ______ lag times and a ______ peak discharge than those that are long and thin because water has a ______ distance to travel to reach the river.

A

Shorter
Higher
Shorter

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5
Q

How does precipitation affect drainage basins

A

Heavy storms = more water entering drainage basin = higher discharge
Snow = higher lag time than rain. Because snow takes time to melt before water enters river channel.

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6
Q

How does geology affect drainage basins

A

Permeable - Allowing water to low through = slower surface runoff
Impermeable - Not allowing water to flow through = faster surface runoff
Porous - Allowing water to soak through and be stored within/ allowing water to run along bedding planes. = slower surface runoff

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7
Q

How does drainage intensity affect a drainage basin

A

Basins that have many streams drain quicker and have shorter lag times, increase risk of flooding

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8
Q

How does temperature affect a drainage basin

A

Low temp = water stored as snow or ice, reducing runoff

Higher temp = melting and runoff increase and increase evaporation/ evapotranspiration

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9
Q

How does soil affect a drainage basin

A

Larger pore spaces in sandy soils = greater water storage and reduces flooding.

Clay soil = doesn’t have as much storage space and rain will have faster discharge, increasing risk of flooding

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10
Q

How does vegetation affect a drainage basin

A

Vegetation intercepts rain and slows movement of water into river, increasing lag time
Water also lost due to evaporation and transpiration, reducing peak discharge

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11
Q

How do tides and storms affect a drainage basin

A

High tides prevent water from entering the sea, increasing risk of flooding. When tidal water and flooding water meet this results in a surge of water ‘banking up’.

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12
Q

Base flow

A

Groundwater flow that feeds into rivers through river banks and beds

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13
Q

Channel flow

A

Water flowing in a river, aka river discharge

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14
Q

Condensation

A

Water heats up and cools down back to water

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15
Q

Evaporation

A

When liquid water is transformed into water vapour

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16
Q

Evapotranspiration

A

Mix between evaporation and transpiration

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17
Q

Groundwater

A

Water stored within rocks, rock pores and joints

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18
Q

Groundwater flow

A

Water flowing slowly below the water table through permeable rock

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19
Q

Infiltration

A

Water soaks up and moves through soil

20
Q

Interception

A

When raindrops are prevented from directly reaching soil surface

21
Q

Percolation

A

As water moves through and seeps down the soil it may continue to move deeper into the rocks and settle to the water table

22
Q

Runoff/ overland row

A

The total of all the water that flows over the surface of river basin

23
Q

Stem flow

A

Water running down a plant stem or tree trunk

24
Q

Throughfall

A

Water dripping from one leaf or plant to another

25
Throughflow
Water that continues to move downhill through soil and ground which may emerge into river, lakes or streams
26
Transpiration
Water is lost from plant through minute pores in leaves.
27
Peak rainfall
The hour of greatest rainfall
28
Park discharge
Time of maximum discharge by river
29
Lag time
Period of time between peak rainfall and peak discharge
30
Falling limb
Period of time when rivers discharge is falling
31
Normal flow
Base flow of the river
32
Rising limb
Period of rising river discharge following period of rainfall
33
What is a confluence
Where two rivers meet
34
What is a watershed
Area of high land between two drainage basins
35
Inputs into a drainage system
Precipitation (rain or snow)
36
Outputs in a drainage basin
Transpiration Evapotranspiration River carrying water to sea
37
Transfers in a drainage basin
``` Stemflow Infiltration Percolation Surface runoff Throughflow Groundwater flow ```
38
Storage in a drainage basin
Interception by vegetation Surface storage Soil moisture storage Groundwater storage
39
Name six human factors affecting storm hydrographs
1. Urbanisation 2. Deforestation and afforestation 3. Agriculture and irrigation 4. Mining and industrial development 5. Climate change 6. Floor management and river basin projects
40
How does urbanisation affect hydrographs
Urbanised areas = increase in use of impermeable building materials e.g. - asphalt Infiltration levels decrease and surface runoff increases as houses and buildings take up all land = short lag time and increase in peak discharge
41
How does deforestation affect hydrographs
Increases runoff | Soil erosion may increase and loose soil is carried to river reducing channel capacity
42
How can climate change affect hydrographs
Increase in rainfall with more storms and increased in flooding
43
How does mining affect hydrographs
Displaces water courses. Lakes increase in silt and this reduces storage capacity and increases runoff and discharge
44
How does irrigation affect hydrographs
When water is taken from the ground this reduces discharge - alters flow and storage
45
How does flood management and river basin projects affect hydrographs
Alter discharge levels, alter river regimes