The water cycle

Question 1

the hydrosphere

Answer 1

contains 1.4 sectillion litres of water. 
0.9% saline water/other 
96.5% oceans 
2.5% fresh water 
Of the fresh water:
69% cryosphere 
30% groundwater
0.3% surface water 
0.04% water vapour
Only a small amount of fresh water is accessible to humans.

Question 2

drainage basins

Answer 2

open, local, hydrological cycles. the area surrounding a river where the rain falling on land flows into that river.

Question 3

water budget

Answer 3

the balance of overall inputs and outputs in a drainage basin.

Question 4

river discharge

Answer 4

the volume of water that flows in a river per second, measured in cumecs.

Question 5

flashy hydrograph

Answer 5

a basin with rapid run off, little storage = short lag time and high peak discharge. graphs are steep and roughly symmetrical.

Question 6

factors affecting run off + hydrographs

Answer 6

size: larger drainage basin = more precipitation caught + higher peak discharge.
smaller drainage basin = short lag time because there is less distance to travel.
shape: circular = more flashy because all points have roughly the same distance to travel.

Question 7

interception storage

Answer 7

the temporary store of water on vegetation

Question 8

vegetation storage

Answer 8

water that’s been taken up by plants in their roots.

Question 9

infiltration capacity

Answer 9

the rate at which water is able to pass through a soil.

Question 10

through fall

Answer 10

water dripping from one leaf to another

Question 11

stem flow

Answer 11

water running down a plant stem or tree trunk.

Question 12

base flow

Answer 12

groundwater that feeds into the river through river banks and river beds.

Question 13

interflow

Answer 13

water flowing downhill through permeable rock.

Question 14

water balance

Answer 14

affects how much water is stored in the basin.
water surplus: precipitation > evapotranspiration
deficit: shortage of water and the end of the dry season.

surplus —> deficit —> recharge.