Water Cycle Key Facts Flashcards
What percentage of the Earth’s surface is covered by water?
Water, in both frozen and liquid form, covers 75% of Earth’s surface.
What percentage of all water on Earth is stored in oceans?
Oceans store 96% of all water on Earth.
What are some industrial activities that use water?
We use it in industrial activities like thermoelectric power generation, mining, and aquaculture.
What environmental issues can contaminated water cause?
Contaminated water can cause harmful algal blooms, spread diseases, and harm habitats for wildlife.
How does climate change impact water?
Climate change impacts water quantity, changes precipitation patterns, and causes rising sea levels and flooding.
What drives the continual movement of water between pools?
Energy from the sun and the force of gravity drive the continual movement of water between pools.
What is evapotranspiration?
Evapotranspiration is the main way water moves into the atmosphere from the land surface and oceans.
What has been the population increase from 1937 to now?
There has been a 250% increase in our population, from 2.2 billion in 1937 to 8.1 billion now.
How much of the sun’s radiation output does the Earth absorb?
The Earth absorbs 1/1000000000 of the sun’s radiation output.
What is the greenhouse effect?
Earth emits long wave radiation which the atmosphere can absorb; human activity enhances this.
What does the ozone layer do?
The ozone layer protects from UV radiation.
What is hydrostatic pressure?
Hydrostatic pressure is the pull of gravity downwards, balanced by the force of pressure from below.
What is the equation of state for air pressure?
Air pressure is proportional to temperature times density.
What happens to air pressure when temperature increases?
An increase in temperature leads to an expansion of air, decreasing density and pressure.
What are the three types of systems in hydrology?
Open systems allow both energy and matter to cross boundaries; closed systems allow only energy; isolated systems allow neither.
What is a positive feedback loop?
A positive feedback loop enhances or amplifies change, moving a system away from its equilibrium state.
What is an example of a negative feedback loop?
A negative feedback loop is an opposing force that counters change.
What is the troposphere’s height at the equator and poles?
The troposphere is 16km at the equator and 8km at the poles.
What is the lithosphere?
Lithosphere is the rigid outer part of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle, divided into tectonic plates.
What percentage of global water is freshwater?
Freshwater accounts for 2.5% of total global water.
What is the total volume of water on Earth?
The total volume of water on Earth is 1.39 billion cubic km.
How much water can a 1 acre cornfield transpire in 24 hours?
A 1 acre cornfield can transpire 4000 gallons of water in 24 hours.
What is the impact of vegetation on water interception?
Vegetation slows the rate at which water reaches the river, reducing the likelihood of flooding.
What is infiltration?
Infiltration is the process by which water enters the soil.
What is the dew point?
The dew point is the temperature at which water vapor in air condenses into liquid water.
What are the two zones of groundwater?
Groundwater can be divided into the unsaturated zone and the zone of saturation.
What is relative humidity?
Relative humidity is a measure of how much water vapor is in a water-air mixture compared to the maximum amount possible.
