Key Terms Flashcards
1
Q
Hydrology
A
- study of water as it moves on, under + through Earth’s surface
2
Q
Hydrological cycle
A
- movement of water between air, land + sea
- varies from place to place + over time
- closed system
3
Q
Atmosphere
A
- mixture of gases, mostly N2, O2, Ar, CO2 + H20 vapour, that surrounds Earth
4
Q
Precipitation (PPT)
A
- inc. all forms of rainfall, snow, frost, hail + dew
- the conversion + transfer of moisture in atmo. to land
5
Q
Open system
A
- way of looking at a feature where there are factors, processes + results that cross a boundary
6
Q
Channel
A
- linear feature containing flowing water
7
Q
Abstraction
A
- taking water from a source (aquifer, reservoir)
8
Q
Water vapour
A
- water in gaseous form
- especially when evaporated below b.p.
9
Q
Humidity
A
- measure of amount of moisture in air
- absolute: how much moisture in air (g/m3)
- relative: % of max. water a certain air temp could hold
10
Q
Albedo
A
- reflectivity of Earth’s surfaces
11
Q
Slope
A
- area of Earth’s surface, usually w an incline
12
Q
Moisture availability
A
- presence of water in a region
- spatial + temporal variations in availability of water
13
Q
Rainfall
A
- any form of pptn where separate drops of water fall to Earth’s surface from clouds
14
Q
Field capacity
A
- amount of water held in soil after excess water drains away
15
Q
Wilting point
A
- range of moisture where permanent wilting of plants occurs
