The Hydrolic cycle and water balance Flashcards
How much water is on the earth?
1400 million km^3
What percentage of the water is Ocean water?
96.54%
Which section of the ocean water takes part in the annual water cycling?
Only about the top two meters.
How much inaccessible water is in glaciers and groundwater?
1.7% for each.
What is the hydrologic cycle?
The cycling of water from the earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back again driven by solar energy.
How much solar energy is absorbed by the water?
about 1/3 of the solar energy.
How much water is evaporated from the earth’s surface each year?
483,000 km^3
What percentage of the evaporation occurs in the oceans?
85%
What percentage of the precipitation occurs in oceans?
77%
How much water falls as rain or snow on the continents?
113000 km^3
What are some examples of active/accessible water?
Lakes, rivers, shallow groundwater, oceans, and atmosphere.
What is a watershed?
A land area that drains to a stream, lake, or river and is bound by ridges that separate it from adjacent watersheds.
What are the 3 things that happen to water after precipitation?
- Runoff
- Stored in soil
- Returned to the atmosphere
