Unit 4 Flashcards
How does solar radiation affect the hydrological cycle?
energy from solar radion and gravity drives the water cycle.
What is a water budget?
It is a numerical estimate of how much water is in the storages and flows of the water cycle.
What are the four different ways humans impact the water cycle?
By withdrawing the water and then discharging it after its use. Along with altering the speed at which the river flows. Plus diverting or changing the direction of flowing water.
For what uses do humans withdraw water?
For drinking, household use, or for agriculture and industry.
What may be included in the water after humans discharge it?
Chemicals from agriculture, fertilizers, and sewage.
What are ways that humans change the speed and location of where water flows?
By channeling rivers underground in concrete areas to build roads.
Why might humans divert rivers or part of rivers?
Rivers might be diverted to help avoid flood damage or towards dams to help with storing the water.
What are the transfers in the water cycle?
Advection, flooding, surface run-off, infiltration, stream flows or currents.
What are the three transformations in the water cycle?
evaporation, condensation, and freezing
what are the storages in the water cycle?
oceans, soil, groundwater, lakes, rivers, atmosphere, glaciers and ice caps.
What affects ocean circulation systems?
Differences in temperature and salinity
How do ocean circulation systems affect the climate?
Because based on the temperature and salinity affect the water density. This is what impacts the ocean conveyor belt which transfers heat affecting the climate.
How does climate change affect global water access?
Climate change affects global water access because the increase in temperatures affects a change in climate location around the globe. Meaning that as temperatures change so do climate locations meaning that rainwater distribution around the is changing in amounts and locations at a unreliable rate.
What is the correlation between population numbers and water use?
An increase in population means an increase in the need for food meaning there needs to be more irrigation water to support agricultural needs. Along with more people means an increase in water being used for household needs, as well as industrial needs.
What leads to water contamination?
Pollution and the return of contaminated water.
What region has the highest infant mortality rate from contaminated water-based diseases?
It is most commonly found in less economically developed countries.
How can water contamination be reduced?
Through reliable supply and waste treatment technology.
What is desalination?
The removal of salt from saltwater
What is distillation?
The evaporation of water which leaves salt behind
What is reverse osmosis?
the use of a lot of pressure to remove salts.
What are the issues with the processes of removing salt from water?
The price of the processes kills organisms, changes the wastewater and requires large amounts of energy.
What is artificial recharge?
the storing of water in times of surplus. ex California storing the flood water to use later
What are the negatives of artificial recharge?
It would get used really fast and could not get replenished ex California having to wait for another storm
What is rainwater harvesting?
The collection of rainwater to use for later which is inexpensive and can be done on a individual or community level
