U2 Hydrosphere Flashcards
What is evaporation?
the process of turning from liquid into vapour or gas
What is condensation?
the process of a vapour or gas turning into a liquid
What is precipitation?
moisture that falls from the air to the ground (rain, snow, sleet, hail, drizzle, fog, mist)
what is transpiration?
the evaporation of water from a plant’s leaves, stem or flowers
what is water run-off?
the precipitation that flows across the surface for the ground
What is infiltration?
the physical movement of water through soil (relative to the soil’s porosity and permeability)
what is percolation?
the movement of water through soil by gravity
what is groundwater flow?
the movement of groundwater horizontally
Name the main stores of water
atmosphere, oceans, ice, freshwater (rivers, streams, springs), groundwater (soil moisture, rock pores and crevices), and aquifers (underground caverns of water).
Describe the impact of living in an area of water deficit
More droughts
Reduced plant growth
Problems for agriculture
Describe the impact of living in an area of water surplus
Increased flooding - destroys habitats, diplaces people, costly repairs
Requirements for a hydro-electric power plant
steep gradient, high precipitation, narrow deep valley, impermeable geology, population density, proximity to National Grid, current land use
Requirements for tidal power station
narrow channel, large water volume, large tidal stream, population density, proximity to National Grid, current water use
Organisation that monitors flood risks in Scotland
SEPA (Scottish Environmental Protection Agency)
