The Water Cycle And Water Insecurity

Question 1

Channel Flow

Answer 1

The water flowing in a rivulet, stream of river contained within the banks.

Question 2

Drainage Basin

Answer 2

The area of land drained by a river and its tributaries. Drainage basins are separated by a ridge of high land called a watershed.

Question 3

Evapotranspiration

Answer 3

Combined loss of water to the atmosphere via the processes of evaporation and transpiration.

Question 4

Infiltration

Answer 4

The movement of water vertically downwards through the spaces (pores) in the soil.

Question 5

Interception

Answer 5

The process by which raindrops are prevented from falling directly onto the ground by leaves, branches, twigs or vegetation.

Question 6

Percolation

Answer 6

A process similar to infiltration but travelling through rock surfaces towards the water table.

Question 7

Precipitation

Answer 7

Any form of water falling from the sky.

Question 8

Runoff

Answer 8

Water (from rain,snowmelt or other sources) that flows over the land surface; can be due to soil saturation.

Question 9

Saturated Overland Flow

Answer 9

Occurs when the soil becomes saturated and any additional precipitation causes runoff.

Question 10

Aquifer

Answer 10

A permeable or porous rock which stores water

Question 11

Closed system

Answer 11

A sequence of linked processes with a transfer of energy but not matter between parts of the system
A closed system is one where inputs and outputs are balanced.

Question 12

Cryosphere

Answer 12

Describes the set of all locations on Earth where water is found in solid form, including areas of snow, sea ice, glaciers, permafrost, ice sheets and icebergs.

Question 13

Deficit

Answer 13

Where a resource is less than the necessary amount.

Question 14

Economic water scarcity

Answer 14

Occurs when water resources are available but there is an insufficient capital to access the water to meet demand

Question 15

Flux

Answer 15

The flow of flowing of a liquid

Question 16

Fossil water

Answer 16

Water that has been contained and undisturbed for millennia. There is no significant recharge therefore it is a non-renewable resource.

Question 17

Global water budget

Answer 17

The amount of water transferred and stored in the Earth’s hydrological cycle each year l.

Question 18

Hard engineering

Answer 18

Often high cost schemes that use artificial structures such as dams or the Thames Barrier.

Question 19

Hydrological drought

Answer 19

Occurs when there is insufficient soil moisture to meet the needs of vegetation at a particular time.

Question 20

Monsoon

Answer 20

A seasonable prevailing wind which causes wet and dry seasons in many sub-tropical areas.

Question 21

Open System

Answer 21

A sequence of linked processes with inputs and outputs, including transfers of energy and matter to and from other systems.

Question 22

Orographic

Answer 22

Relating to mountains, orographic uplift is when the uplift of air mass, because of an orographic obstruction, causes the cooling of the air mass. If enough cooling takes place, condensation can occur and form into orographic precipitation.

Question 23

Permafrost

Answer 23

Zone of permanently frozen water found in high latitude soils and sediments.