Water and carbon cycles

Question 1

Channel storage

Answer 1

The volume of water that is held in a river/water system at a particular time

Question 2

Watershed

Answer 2

The separation between two drainage basins

Question 3

Water balance/budget

Answer 3

Precipitation = Streamflow + Evapotranspiration

Question 4

Recharge

Answer 4

The recharge season is when water is added to soil. When precipitation exceeds potential evapotranspiration but soil is not saturated

Question 5

Surplus

Answer 5

When precipitation exceeds potential evapotranspiration and the soil is saturated

Question 6

Utilisation

Answer 6

When water is withdrawn from soil. When precipitation is lower than potential evapotranspiration but soil storage is not at 0

Question 7

Deficit

Answer 7

When potential evpotranspiration is higher than precipitation and soil storage is at 0

Question 8

Eccentricity

Answer 8

The natural variation of Earth’s orbit from more circular to more eliptical. Changes roughly every 100,000 years

Question 9

Obliquity

Answer 9

Axial tilt of the Earth, changes which areas receive the highest concentration of insolation. Changes roughly every 41,000 years

Question 10

Precession

Answer 10

Spinning top effect of Earth