The Hydrosphere package Flashcards
What is the hydrosphere, and what does it do?
It’s the earth’s outer layer of water, and it units water in all different states (solid, liquid and gas)
What is the catchment area?
it’s an area of land who’s lakes or rivers empty into.
What 3 types of water go into the catchment area?
- rain
- surface water
- ground water
What’s a water shed? (think of gravity)
it’s when water flows down slopes and goes from higher ground to the lower ground/basin.
What is the issue about having contaminants upstream of the basin.
because it goes downstream and spreads everywhere.
What is a human disturbance on watersheds/ecosystems?
the creation of a reservoir upstream from a hydroelectric power plant.
How are oceans able to regulate the climate?
by standardizing temperature of the earth and because of their ability to absorb heat.
What 3 factors influence water temperature?
- season
- latitude
- depth
Where do oceans have less salt?
the poles.
What lowers the salt concentration near the poles of the earth?
due to global warming the freshwater icecaps are melting.
Where does the salt initially come from?
erosion (salt from rocks)
What are three types of interrelated marine currents?
- surface currents
- deep currents
- thermohaline circulation
What are surface currents?
generated by wind and is horizontal circulation.
What causes deep currents?
differences in temperature and salinity and is also caused by different densities in water.
What are deep currents?
vertical circulation
