The Hydrosphere Flashcards
Why does water flow?
Water molecules are attracted to eachother and form hydrogen bonds
Does gas have hydrogen bonds?
No
Where are the hydrogen bonds in a liquid?
Between molecules
Where are the hydrogen bonds in a solid?
Between molecules helping a lattice structure form
What forms of water does the hydrosphere contain?
Solid, liquid and vapour
Define Precipitation
Condensation of atmospheric water vapour that then falls to earths surface
Define Interception
Precipitation that does not reach the ground because it lands on vegetation
Define Infiltration
Surface water enters the ground between soil and rock particles
Define Percolation
Further movement of water between soil and rock particles
Define Groundwater Flow
Movement of water through pore spaces in permeable rocks
Define Runoff
Water flowing over the surface of the ground
Define Evapouration
Water changing from liquid to a gas as hydrogen bonds are broken
Define Transpiration
The evaporation of water from the leaves of plants through stomata
Define River Channel Discharge
The volume of water flowing past a particular point
What are three properties of water?
It’s a physiological solvent
Does Anomalus Expansion
Has a high heat capacity
Explain water being a physiological solvent (3)
Reactions occur with dilutes dissolved in water
Materials transported in blood/sap dissolved
Dissolved oxygen allows aquatic life to survive
Explain Anomalus Expansion
Waters highest density is 4 degrees therefore ice is less dense than water and floats.
Ice insulates the water underneath so aquatic life can survive
Explain water having a high heat capacity
Water heats up and cools down slowly
This helps climatic stability by moderating temp. change
What is Residence Time?
The average length of time water stays in a reservoir
What does knowing Residence Time help with?
Sustainable management of water resources
How is Residence Time calculated?
Volume/mean transfer rate
What are the two sources of energy driving the hydrological cycle?
Solar and GP/Kinetic Energy
What are inputs of the hydrological cycle?
Precipitation
What are the throughflows of the hydrological cycle? (5)
Interception Infiltration Percolation Run Off Groundwater Flow
What are the outputs of the hydrological cycle? (3)
Evaporation
Transpiration
River Channel Discharge
What are non-abstractive uses of water? (4)
Transport
Recreational
Energy
Wildlife Conservation
What are abstractive uses of water? (4)
Domestic
Industrial
Agriculture
Recreational
What does how much water is purified depend on?
What the water is going to be used for
What is physical criteria of assessing water quality? (1)
Turbidy - suspended solids make water look cloudy and affects taste
What is biological criteria of assessing water quality? (1)
E.coli Abundance - gut bacterium found in sewage contamination
What is chemical criteria of assessing water quality? (6)
pH - 6.5-8.5 range
Calcium - makes water ‘hard’
Pesticide Concentration
Heavy Metal Concentration - can damage nervous system
Dissolved Oxygen - musty smell
Chlorine retention - to keep water sterile
What does the quality of domestic water have to be like? (5)
No pathogens Low turbidity No taste/odour No heavy metals No pesticides
What does the quality of industrial water have to be like? (2)
No large suspended particles
Right pH
What does the quality of agricultural water have to be like? (6)
Sediments is okay Non-toxic pH levels No herbicides No heavy metals No pathogens
What does the quality of HEP water have to be like? (2)
No large objects
Any water quality okay
What are two ways to desalinise seawater?
Distillation (water boiled) Reverse osmosis (seawater forced through membrane)
What’s the advantages of desalinising seawater?
Provides water in arid regions - improves lifestyle and allows people to produce food
What are the disadvantages of desalinising seawater?
Very expensive
Have to have good access to seawater
What are sources of water? (4)
Reservoirs
Aquifers
Rivers
Seawater
What are factors to consider to reduce costs/make it viable when constructing a reservoir? (4)
Climate
Topography
Geology
Catchment area
Factors to consider when siting a reservoir (5)
Reliable/regular river flow No important existing land uses No high risk activities in area Low sediment load in inflow water Availability of supplies/workers
What’s an aquifer?
An underground rock structure from which water is/can be extracted
What’s the difference between a reservoir and an aquifer?
Reservoir is just a general name for a storage location of any material
What is Permeable rock?
Rock which allows water to pass though
What are the two types of permeable rock? Explain and give example
Porous - eg Sandstone/Chalk
Pervious - water flows through joints e.g Limestone
What is impermeable rock?
Rock that doesn’t allow water to pass though eg. Granite
Define Porosity
Measure of the volume of a rock which is space and therefore may hold fluids
Define permeability
The ease at which fluids may through the through rock
What is needed below an aquifer? Why?
An impermeable rock - to prevent the escape of water
What is an Artisian Well?
Where water is under pressure and flows to the water table naturally
What is a Flowing Artisian Well?
When water reaches the ground surface due to natural pressure from the aquifer
What is the Piezometric Surface?
The Water Table
What is the Phreatic Level?
The Spring Line
What are the two types of aquifer? Explain each
Confined - impermeable rock above and below aquifer
Unconfined - impermeable rock just blow below aquifer
What could cause the water table to lower/the well to dry up?
If water is pumped from the well faster than its replenished
What’s an Aquitard?
A bed of low permeability along an aquifer
What are consequences of aquifer overuse? (5)
Reduced supplies Subsidence Changes to surface hydrology Ecological impacts Saltwater incursion/intrusion
What are the advantages of groundwater use? (4)
Less impact on environment
No cost
Evaporation reduced
Pollution reduced (natural filtering through rocks)
What are the disadvantages of groundwater use? (6)
Needs time to recharge Lowers natural water table Increased risk of saline intrusion Subsidence Wetlands/marches dry up Wildlife changes
What are the causes of demand increase? (3)
Population growth
Changing living standards
Industrialisation
Why is artificial recharge?
Diverting rivers or pumping more water into it
