Water and Carbon cycles P2

Question 1

Water global distribution levels

Answer 1

Water global distribution levels:
-3% fresh water (68% in ice caps, 30% in ground water, 1% surface/other fresh water eg permafrost and lakes)
-96% in oceans
-1% other saline water

Question 2

Why can evaporation rates be high?

Answer 2

-Solar radiation (heat energy needed to break bonds between water molecules)
-Higher temperature (as warm hair holds more moisture)
-Large supply of water
-Dry air (if evaporation exceeds condensation, air is saturated and humidity is 100%)

Question 3

Cloud formation and condensation process

Answer 3

Condensation: air rises -> cools -> condenses -> clouds form (known as dew point temperature)

Question 4

Sublimination

Answer 4

Sublimation = direct change of state from solid to gas
-Occurs most readily when humidity low (as air is dry), strong sunlight (energy), strong winds, higher altitude (due to low pressure and cold temp)

Question 5

Water balance

Answer 5

Water balance affects how much water is stored in a drainage basin

Question 6

Global stores of water

Answer 6

Global stores of water:
-Oceans
-Lake
-Aquifiers
-Cryosphere

Question 7

Local stores of water

Answer 7

Local stores of water:
Interception.
Vegetation storage.
Surface storage.
Soil moisture.
Groundwater storage.

Question 8

River catchment case study example

Answer 8

A river case study is the river brock in lancashire

Question 9

River brock description

Answer 9

River brock description:
-17.8km long river with 40km^2 drainage basin that runs through Lancashire in Northern England
-Water surplus, so water abstraction and resevoirs in place to transport water to places in a water deficit

Question 10

What factors increase flooding of the River Brock?

Answer 10

Factors causing flooding of the river brock:
-High precipitation due to high relief rainfall (due to slopes)
-Little evapotranspiration due to sun rising in east
-Impermeable grit rock type
-Peat soil at river source (oversaturation -> runoff)

Question 11

Factors/defences that reduce flooding at the river brock

Answer 11

-Peatlands at source of river acts as natural defence as it saturates water
-Water abstraction decreases water discharge
-Steep-sided nature, less gradient
-Raised embankments
-Warnings issued in case of flooding