Hydrosphere

Question 1

Explain movement of water in hydrological cycle

Answer 1

Heat from sun causes evaporation. Warm air rises, cools and condenses to form clouds. Clouds pushed overland by advection and collected more evaporation from surface storage and transpiration (together make evapotranspiration). Clouds become heavy and release precipitation which makes its way back to sea via surface run-off (on surface), throughflow (through spaces in soil) and ground water flow (through permeable rocks). Some water may be stored as ground water flow, some as ice.

Question 2

Effects of deforestation

Answer 2

Increases run-off

Decreases evapotranspiration and cloud formation

Leads to more extreme river flows as water isn’t intercepted and stored by trees

Question 3

Effects of irrigation

Answer 3

Taking water from underground source reduces river flow, lower water tables and increase evapotranspiration by having water in surface stores or from crops

Question 4

Effects of urbanisation

Answer 4

Removal of natural vegetation and impermeable surfaces and drains speed up overland flow and evaporation and can lead to higher river levels. Also reduces water that returns to groundwater storage, possibly reducing water table.