The hydrological cycle Flashcards
know the terms
What does precipitation mean
Moisture in any form
What does interception mean
Temporary storage, as water is captured by plants, buildings and hard surfaces before reaching the soil.
What does vegetation storage mean
Any moisture taken up by vegetation and held within plants
What does surface storage mean
Any surface water in lakes, ponds and puddles
What does soil moisture mean
Water held within the soil
What does groundwater storage mean
Water held within permeable rocks
What does Channel storage mean
Water held in rivers and streams
What does infiltration mean
Water entering the topsoil. Most common during slow or steady rainfall
What does throughflow mean
Also known as inter-flow; water seeping through laterally through soil below the surface, but above the water table
What does percolation mean
The downward seepage of water through rock under gravity, especially on permeable rocks eg chalk
What does stem flow mean
Water flowiing down plant stems or drainpipes
What does base flow mean
Also known as groundwater flow. Slow-moving water that seeps into a river channel
What does channel flow mean
The volume of water flowing within a river channel (discharge)
What does surface runoff mean
Also called overland flow. Flow over the surface during an intense storm, or when the ground is frozen, saturated or on impermeable or on impermeable clay.
What does evaporation mean
The conversion of water to vapour
