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Earth and Environmental Science Yr 11 > The Hydrologic Cycle > Flashcards

The Hydrologic Cycle Flashcards

1
Q

List the three states of water.

A

Solid (ice, temperatures 100ºC)
Liquid
Vapour (temperatures >100ºC)

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2
Q

How much of the land’s surface do oceans cover?

A

70%

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3
Q

How much water is held in the oceans?

A

93 to 97%

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3
Q

What do oceans contain?

A

High concentrations of mineral salts.

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4
Q

How much water is held as fresh water?

A

3%

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5
Q

How much water is held as ice?

A

75% of fresh water

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6
Q

How much water is held as groundwater?

A

25% of fresh water

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7
Q

How much of our weight (human weight) is water?

A

70 to 90%

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8
Q

What does water drive?

A

The biogeochemical cycles.

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9
Q

Why is water important to the Ecosphere?

A

Gives the planet its characteristic colour
Sculpts the planet’s surface
Crucial role in supporting life – transfers oxygen, nutrients and waste products
Medium for chemical reactions
Water movement defines climates and weather patterns
Maintains biomes and ocean regulate temperature

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10
Q

How much water enters the atmosphere from the oceans?

A

419,000 km³

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11
Q

How does water moderate temperature?

A

Oceans convert insolation to heat.
It is distributed through ocean currents.
Coastal waters regulate coastal temperatures while extremes of temperature are confined to inland locations.

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12
Q

What powers the water cycle?

A

Solar energy

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13
Q

How are water molecules evaporated?

A

Solar energy heats the surface water, molecules absorb heat (latent heat) converting them to vapour

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13
Q

What processes do solar energy control?

A

Evaporation
Condensation
Precipitation

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14
Q

How does transpiration assist plants?

A

Allows water to be pumped up to the foliage bringing nutrients Cools leaf surfaces.

14
Q

Describe the process of condensation.

A

Vapour expands in uplift and cool air.
Less able to hold water vapour.
Converts to cloud droplets around condensation nuclei.
Can freeze to form ice crystals.

15
Q

What is the size of a cloud droplet?

A

1 (0.001mm) to 100 microns

18
Q

List the 4 types of precipitation.

A

Rain
Hail
Sleet
Snow

19
Q

How much evaporation becomes effective precipitation?

A

25%

20
Q

List the 9 factors affecting precipitation.

A 
Latitude
Climate zone
Ocean surface temperatures
Major ocean and air currents
Season
Temperature
Prevailing winds
Air pressure zones 
Topography
21
Q

Where does most rain fall?

A

In the equatorial regions, coastal and high mountain ranges.

22
Q

Describe the importance of precipitation to groundwater supplies.

A

Water which is not intercepted can infiltrate the soil and rock structure to add to aquifers.

23
Q

List the 6 factors influencing infiltration.

A 
Amount of vegetation cover (interception)
Depth of humus
Openness of canopy
Leaf form and size
Structure
Complexity of vegetation
24
Q

Why is humus important to soil water content?

A

Intercepts water, reduces runoff, holds absorbed water on the surface.

25
Q

List the 4 processes controlling water once it is on the Earth’s surface.

A

Topography
Vegetation type
Soil characteristics
Condition of the humus layer.

33
Q

How does runoff (overland flow) affect the soil?

A

Moves soil contributing to erosion

34
Q

How does vegetation affect infiltration?

A

Increases interception, increasing infiltration

35
Q

What is porosity?

A

Degree of openness of soil and rock particles

36
Q

How is water held in the soil?

A

Fills spaces between the particles

37
Q

What is an aquiclude and how does it affect groundwater?

A

An impervious layer which prevents water movement

38
Q

Where is the water table highest and deepest?

A

Under hills

39
Q

Name some discharge or collection points.

A

Natural wells; sub-artesian and artesian bores (hydrostatic pressure) and springs.
Collection occurs where porous soils and strata lie on the surface.

40
Q

When do water tables rise and fall?

A

Under seasonal conditions – rise in the wet season and fall in the dry season

41
Q

List the 4 types of springs.

A

Seepage
Fracture
Tubular
Mineral

42
Q

Describe the characteristics of Australia’s Great Artesian Basin.

A

It is 1.7 million km2 which is 22% of the continent. It has layers of sandstone, siltstone and mudstone. It is 3km thick with a 10.3 quadrillion litre capacity.

43
Q

How can limestone be impermeable, yet contain spectacular underground features caused by water.

A

Lime stone has very small particles and low porosity so is impermeable. It is also soft (CaCO₃) and can easily be absorbed by water.

44
Q

How important is groundwater to Australians?

A

Underlies 60% of Australia; 5.25 million km2; 70% is suitable for domestic use and irrigation

45
Q

What is ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ groundwater?

A

Hard water is mineralised with calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium.

Earth and Environmental Science Yr 11 (6 decks)

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