Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

EDEXCEL GEOGRAPHY > the water cycle > Flashcards

the water cycle Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
U.S. Geography flashcards World Geography flashcards
1
Q

what human factors can affect hydrograph shape?

A
  • urbanisation
  • agriculture/farmland
  • channelisation
  • dams/ hard engineering
  • deforestation
  • aforestation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

how can agriculture/farming affect hydrograph shape?

A
  • farm machinery can compact soil so its impermeable resulting in a flash hydrograph
  • after harvest = flash
  • before harvest = flat
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what physical factors can affect hydrograph shape?

A
  • number of tributaries
  • relief
  • vegetation cover
  • geology
  • rainfall amount
  • size + shape of catchment area
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

when may there be a flash hydrograph?

A
  • thunderstorms
  • urban areas
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

when may there be a flat hydrograph?

A
  • forest areas
  • chalk area
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

how is rain formed ?

A
  1. air rises
  2. air cools
  3. condensation
  4. rain falls
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

when will there be relief rain?

A

when a mountain causes the air to rise, resulting in rainfall

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

when will there be frontal rain?

A

when warm air meets cold dense air

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

when will there be convectional rain?

A

when hot temperatures cause the air to rise

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

why is the global hydrological cycle a closed system?

A

the amount of water within the system stays the same, it is transferred between different stores

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what are examples of stores in the drainage basin system?

A
  • groundwater
  • vegetation
  • soil
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what are examples of outputs in the drainage basin system?

A
  • river flow into the sea
  • evaporation
  • evapotranspiration
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what is an example of inputs into the drainage basin system?

A
  • precipitation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what are examples of flows in the drainage basin system?

A
  • infiltration
  • percolation
  • surface run-off
  • through flow
  • groundwater flow
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

define afforestation

A

planting trees on land that has never had a forest

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

define agricultural drought

A

a rainfall deficiency from meteorological drought leading to deficiency in soil moisture, affecting plant growth and yields.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

define aquifers

A

a permeable or porous rock which stores water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

define base flow

A

the normal day-to-day discharge of a river

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

define blue water

A

water stored in rivers, streams, lakes and groundwater in liquid form

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

define catchment area

A

the area of land drained by a river and its tributaries

  • drainage basin
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Define closed system

A

A sequence of linked processes with a transfer of energy, but not matter, between the parts of the system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Define condensation.

A

The change from a gas to a liquid?

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Define cryosphere

A

areas of the earth where water was frozen into snow ice.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Define deforestation.

A

The cutting down removal of all or most trees in a forested area.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

define desalination.

A

The process of converting salt water to fresh water suitable for human consumption and industry.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Define desertification.

A

Land degradation in arid, semi arid and dry, subhumid areas resulting from various factors including climatic variations and human activities.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Define dew point.

A

The temperature at which Dew forms.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Define drought.

A

An extended period of deficient rainfall relative to the statistical outrage for a region measured over a very long period of time.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Define economic waters scarcity.

A

when water resources are available, but there is insufficient human institutional and financial capital to access the water in order to meet demand.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Define Enso cycle.

A

a naturally occurring phenomenon, but involved the movement of the mass of very warm water in the Equatorial Pacific due to changes in the surface trade winds, atmospheric circulation and ocean currents. There are two phases, al Nino and La Nina.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Define eutrophication.

A

Excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water frequently. due to runoff from farming land, which causes a dense growth of plant life and death of animal life from a lack of oxygen.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Define evaporation.

A

The change in the state of water from a liquid to a gas.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Define Evapotranspiration.

A

The combined effect of evaporation and transpiration.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Define falling limb.

A

The pot of a storm hydrograph in which the discharge starts to decrease and returns base flow.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Define famine drought.

A

A humanitarian crisis in which the widespread failure of agricultural systems needs to food shortages and famines with several social, economic and environmental impacts.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Define flash flood.

A

A flood with an exceptionally short lag time, often minutes or hours.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Define fossil water.

A

Ancient deep groundwater from former wetter periods.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Define green water.

A

Water stored in the soil and vegetation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Define groundwater flow.

A

The slow transfer of percolated water underground through porous rock.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

Define hard engineering

A

The use of man-made artificial structures to manage flooding or water supply.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

Define hydrological drought.

A

Associated with reduced stream flow and groundwater levels, which decreases because of reduced inputs of precipitation and continued high rates of evaporation, regarding reduced storage in lakes and reservoirs.

42
Q

Define infiltration.

A

The movement of water from the ground surface into the soil.

43
Q

Define integrated water resource management, IWRM.

A

A process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water land related resources in order to maximise economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.

44
Q

Define intertropical convergence zone.

A

A concentration of warm air that produces rainfall as part of a global circulation system. It moves N and S across the equator seasonally. Small shifts and location can cause drought.

45
Q

Define meteorological drought.

A

Defined by shortfalls and precipitation as a result of short term variability or longer term trends, which decrease the duration of the drive.

46
Q

Define Monsoon

A

A seasonal change in the direction of prevailing winds of a region causing wet and dry seasons in many subtropical areas.

47
Q

Define Orographic Rainfall.

A

Concentrated on the windward slopes in summits of Mountain.

48
Q

Define peak discharge.

A

, the time when the river reaches its highest flow.

49
Q

Define percolation

A

The transfer of water from the surface or from the soil into the bedrock beneath.

50
Q

Define potential evaporation.

A

The water lost that would occur if there was no limited supply of water in the soil for use by vegetation.

51
Q

Define precipitation.

A

The movement of water in any forms from the atmosphere to the ground.

52
Q

define processes.

A

The physical mechanisms that drive the flux of material between stores.

53
Q

Define residence time.

A

The average time a water molecule will spend in a reservoir or store

54
Q

Define rising limb

A

The part of the storm hydrograph in which the discharge starts to a rise.

55
Q

Define River regime.

A

The annual variation in discharge or flow of the river at a particular point or gauging station, usually measured in tumax.

56
Q

Define saltwater encroachment.

A

The movement assault water into fractured water aquifers due to sea level rise, Storm surges and/ or human abstraction of groundwater, which lowers the water table.

57
Q

Define stores.

A

Reservoirs by water held such as the oceans.

58
Q

Define storm hydrograph.

A

Shows changes in a rivers discharge at a given point on a river over a short period of time.

59
Q

Define surface runoff.

A

The movement of water that is unconfined by a channel across the surface of the ground, also known as overland flow.

60
Q

Define surface water flooding.

A

Flooding that occurs when intense rainfall has insufficient time to infiltrate the soil, so flows over land.

61
Q

Define thermohaline circulation.

A

The global system of surface and deep water ocean currents is driven by temperature and salinity differences between areas of oceans.

62
Q

Define through fall.

A

This is when the rainfall possess or is relatively intense, and the water drops from the leaves twigs, needles, etc.

63
Q

Define through flow

A

Water moving sideways through the soil downslope under the influence of gravity.

64
Q

Define transboundary water.

A

A water resource including rivers lakes and aquifised occupies a territory shared by more than one state.

65
Q

Define transpiration.

A

The diffusion of water from vegetation into the atmosphere involving a change from a gas to a liquid.

66
Q

Define treaty.

A

An agreement signed between states recognised and international law.

67
Q

Define water budget.

A

The annual balance between inputs and Outputs at a place.

68
Q

Define water conservation.

A

Strategies to reduce water usage and demand.

69
Q

Define water insecurity.

A

Occurs when the economic, social and environmental requirements for water supplies are not met.

70
Q

Define water recycling.

A

The treatment and purification of waste water using advanced membrane technologies and UV disinfection so that it is cleaned and safe to be reused for industrial or domestic purposes.

71
Q

Define water scarcity.

A

Occurs when renewable water resources are only between 500 and 1000 metre cubed per capita per year.

72
Q

Define water security.

A

The capacity of a population to safeguard sustainable access to adequate quantities of acceptable quality water for sustaining livelihoods, human well being and socio economic development for ensuring. protection against waterborne pollution and water related disasters and for preserving ecosystems in a climate of peace and political stability.

73
Q

Define water stress.

A

When renewable water resources are only between 1000 and 1700 metres cubed per capita per year.

74
Q

Define water transport.

A

Hard engineering portraits such as pipelines or aqueducts that divert water from drainage basins with surplus water to those shortages.

75
Q

Define wetland.

A

An area of marsh, fen, peatland or water, where the natural artificial, permanent or temporary, with what of it is static or flowing fresh, brackish or salt.

76
Q

Define watershed.

A

The Highland, which divides and separates waters flowing into different rivers.

77
Q

What are features of a depression?

A
  • low air pressure
  • cloud between fronts
  • isobars closer together so strong winds
  • mild weather throughout the year
  • anticlockwise wind direction.
78
Q

What features of anticyclones?

A
  • High air pressure
  • clear skies
  • isobars further apart so light winds or calm
  • in the winter it’s very cold with frost at night
  • in the summer It’s very hot during the day and cooler at night
  • clockwise wind direction.
79
Q

what are the 2 fronts on a weather map.

A
  • cold front –> heavy rain
  • warm front –> drizzle
80
Q

what does ITCZ stand for?

A

inter-tropical convergence zone

81
Q

what is the ITCZ?

A

Where the trade winds meet at the equator creating rising air, low pressure and heavy rain. The position of the ITCZ will affect the amount of rainfall a country gets

82
Q

what are the 3 air cells in the global air circulation model?

A
  • Polar cell
  • Ferrel cell
  • Hadley cell
83
Q

what does high air pressure cause?

A

dry, little/no rain

84
Q

what does low air pressure cause?

A

heavy rain

85
Q

what happens when 2 hadley cells meet?

A
  • low air pressure
  • heavy rain
86
Q

what happens when 2 polar cells meet?

A
  • high air pressure
  • dry
87
Q

what happens when the polar and ferrel cells meet?

A
  • low air pressure
  • heavy rain
88
Q

what happens when the hadley and ferrel cells meet?

A
  • high air pressure
  • dry
89
Q

What is a river regime?

A

The annual pattern of flow or discharge.

90
Q

How many river regimes differ?

A

Tropical river will have a more uniform regime as rainfalls every month. However, most rippers will have a seasonal regime as they respond directly to the amount of precipitation.

91
Q

what are the two types of refer regions.

A
  • Simple, where rivers experience a period of seasonally high discharge, followed by low discharge such as in the temperate climate.
  • complex where larger rivers cross several different relief and climatic zones, so experience different climatic events
92
Q

What factors may affect river regimes

A
  • Dams
  • climate
  • geology
  • soils
  • land use.
93
Q

How many dams affect river regimes?

A

Dams mean that water can be held back or released. This would result in a more constant and uniform regime.

94
Q

How can climate affect river regimes?

A

The amount of intensity of rainfall will affect a regime alongside the temperature due to changing rates of evaporation and snow or glacial melt.

95
Q

How can land use effect with regimes

A

Urban areas will have more impermeable land surfaces, which increases runoff, so there will be a higher regime, whereas farming areas may have a more varied regime as it would be lower on crops are growing, but higher after harvest. Forested areas were to have a lower regime, as there would be more infiltration.

96
Q

How can geology affect river regimes

A
  • impermeable = higher regime
  • permeable = lower regime
97
Q

How can soils affect river regimes?

A

More saturated soil would have a higher regime, and so would a dry compact soil. The permeability of the soil would also affect the regime alongside the depth.

98
Q

What are antecedent conditions?

A

The previous weather conditions.

99
Q

What factors may result in a flashy hydrograph?

A
  • intense weather events
  • impermeable rocks or soil
  • steep slopes
  • small, circular basins
  • high drainage density so more streams and rivers
  • low density vegetation
  • urbanisaiton
100
Q

What fact has may result in a flat hydrograph?

A
  • steady rainfall
  • permeable rock or soil
  • gentle slopes
  • larger, elongated basins
  • low drainage density so few rivers
  • dense deciduous woodland
  • dry basin
  • low population density

EDEXCEL GEOGRAPHY (18 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions