river drainage basin pg Flashcards
what is a drainage basin?
def
an OPEN SYSTEM. it has inputs, processes and outputs. It is called an open system because the outputs leave the system.
what is watershed?
def
the boundary that separates two river basins
what is the source?
def
the start of a river
what is a mouth?
def
the part of the river that meets the sea
what is a channel?
def
what the river flows in
what is a meander?
def
bend in the river
what is an estuary?
def
the lower part of a river affected by the tides
what is a tributary?
def
a stream or river that flows into the main river
what is a confluence?
where two rivers meet / join
what is an input for a db + def
precipitation
rain, hail sleet or snow
give 4 examples of stores in db and their def
surface storage:
when water lies on the ground as puddles or lakes.
interception:
when water droplets collect on trees and plants
soil moisture:
water stored in soil
groundwater:
water stored in porous rocks deep below ground
what is impermeable and permeable? def
impermeable:
water cannot go into it eg tarmac
permeable:
water can go into it eg soil or limestone
5 examples and def of flows in db
surface runoff:
water moving across the ground surface
throughflow:
water flowing downhill through soil
infiltration:
when surface water soaks into soil
percolation:
water moving down through soil into rocks below
groundwater flow:
very slow water movement deep below ground
2 examples of outputs in db and def
evaporation:
when water heated up by sun changes ti water vapour
transpiration:
water vapour released by trees and plants
what does rivers long profile show
how a rivers height above sea level changes as it flows from source in high land to sea level
