Water - EQ2 - 5.6 Flashcards by Isla Amooty

Q

What parts of the hydrological cycle are changing with climate chage

A

many processes (precipitation & evaporation),
flows (inputs & outputs)
& stores

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Q

Define climate change

A

refers to the large-scale, long-term shift in the planet’s weather patterns & average temperatures,
since the 1800s, humans have contributed to the release of CO^2 & other GHGs into the atmosphere,
causing global temperature rise & long-term changes

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Q

What precisely will be increased vs decreased due to climate change in the hydrological cycle

A

cc will reduce inputs
reduce stores
but may increase outputs

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Q

CC impact on inputs & outputs

List the different inputs & outputs that are impacted by CC

A

precipitation
evapo-transpiration

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Q

CC impact on inputs & outputs - precipitation

The …. of precipitation may be more important than the ….. in determining the impacts

A

mode
amount

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Q

CC impact on inputs & outputs - precipitation

A warmer atmosphere has a greater ….. –> for every 1 degrees celcius, ……..% higher ………………….

A

water holding capacity
7%
higher atmospheric retention of water

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Q

CC impact on inputs & outputs - precipitation

For every 1 degrees celcius, …% higher atmospheric retention of water

A

7%

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Q

CC impact on inputs & outputs - precipitation

For every 1 degrees celcius, 7% higher atmospheric retention of water —> therefore, widespread increases in …… & …….. are anticipated

A

rainfall intensity
frequency

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Q

CC impact on inputs & outputs - precipitation

Which areas will be most affected by an increase in precipitation

A

tropics & high latitudes

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Q

CC impact on inputs & outputs - precipitation

Which areas will be most affected by an decrease in precipitation

A

10 - 30 degrees N & S of the Equator

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Q

CC impact on inputs & outputs - precipitation

How will rising temps affect precipitation

A

length & frequency of heatwaves increasing
icnreasing occurences of drought & water scarcity

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Q

CC impact on inputs & outputs - precipitation

snowfall is more likely to be replaced with ….. in …… regions, reducing …..

A

rain
Northern regions
glacial mass

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Q

CC impact on stores - soil moisture

Rises in precipittation leads to ….. in soil moisture & …. ….

A

rises
vice versa

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Q

CC impact onstores - soil moisture

What is the overall impact of CC on soil moisture

A

uncertain as many factors contribute soil moisture levels & climate as just one factor

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Q

CC impact on inputs & outputs - evapotranspiration

Evaporation over large areas of …………………. appears to be …………

A

Asia & North America
increasing

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Q

CC impact on inputs & outputs - evapotranspiration

Transpiration is linked to ………….. changes, which in turn are linked to changes in …………………..

A

transpiration is linked to vegetation changes, which in turn are linked to changes in soil moisture and precipitation

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Q

CC impact on stores & flows

List the different stores & flows impacted by CC

A

surface runoff & streamflow
groundwater flow
reservoir, lake & wetland storage
soil moisture
permafrost
snow
glacier ice
oceans

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Q

CC impact on stores & flows

It is expected that CC will …… stores & ….. flows

A

reduce stores
increase flows

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Q

CC impact on stores & flows

There is more …. needed to be done to establish …… CC & the hydological cycle

A

research
a definite link between

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Q

CC impact on stores & flows - surface runoff & streamflow

What is the impact on extreme flows

A

More low flows (droughts) and high flows (floods)

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Q

CC impact on stores & flows - surface runoff & streamflow

Impact on surface runoff?

A

Increased runoff and reduced infiltration

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Q

CC impact on stores & flows - surface runoff & streamflow

A … degree celcius rise in temperatures could increase surface run off by ….%

A

1 degree celcius
40%

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Q

CC impact on stores & flows - groundwater flow

What is the impact on ground water flow

A

abstraction of water makes impact uncertain
aquifers depleted through overasbtraction but alos low flow events not reharging store

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Q

CC impact on stores & flows - reservoir, lake & wetland storage

What is the impact on reservoir, lake & wetland storage

A

changes cannot be conclusively linked to CC
it appears that storage is decreasing as temperatures increase
regional variations in lakes 7 reser

# CC impact on stores & flows - soil moisture what is the impact on soil moisture

* possibly little change, with higher precipitation & evaporating cancelling eachother out * where precipitation is increasing it is likely soil moisture will rise

# CC impact on stores & flows - permafrost What is leading to permafrost degredation

* Changes in physical climate at high altitude, primarily icnreasing air & ocean temperatures are leading to permfrost degredation

# CC impact on stores & flows - permafrost This ......... of the ............... layer is releasing more .........

This **deepening** of the **active** layer is releasing more groundwater

# CC impact on stores & flows - permafrost ......... released from ........... lakes may be accelerating change, increasing the ............... effect in a .......... feedback loop

**Methane** released from **thawed** lakes may be accelerating change, increasing the **greenhouse** effect in a **positive** feedback loop

# CC impact on stores & flows - snow what is the impact

* Decreasing length of snow-cover season * Spring melt starting earlier --> economic impact - tourism revenue * A decreasing temporary store

# CC impact on stores & flows - glacier ice What strong evidence is there since the 1970s

* glacier retreat and thinning

# CC impact on stores & flows - glacier ice Why would there be less glacial ice

* Less accumulation because more precipitation is falling as rain A decreasing store

# CC impact on stores & flows - glacier ice What does less accumulation because more precipitation is falling as rain mean for glacier ice

A decreasing store & negative mass balance

# CC impact on stores & flows - oceans More data on ............ needed

* surface temperatures

# CC impact on stores & flows - oceans possibility of increases in ........... & rise in frequency & intensity of ...........

* evaporation * tropical cyclones

# CC impact on stores & flows - oceans ....... capacity being increased by ........

**Storage** capacity being increased by **meltwater**

# CC impact on stores & flows - oceans Rising ..... level

sea

What is the IPCC's predictions for global warming in the next 20 years

* global average temps could exceed 1.5 degrees * artic is melting quicker than expected * increased wildfires

Why is it difficult to predict water scarcity

* uncertainty arises because modern scientfic research is unable to make confident predictions about water scarcty * which is especially difficult in areas with short & long term climate changes

Even if scientists were able to make preditions about water scarcity, there are other ..... to account for

unknowns

Even if scientists were able to make preditions about water scarcity, there are other unknowns to account for, such as...

* possible advances in water technology * population rise * global development rise

What are 2 unpredictable things which lack research

* climate change & enso effects impact on draiange basins & water cycles

By 2025, ..... people could be facing water scarcity

1.5 billion

Exemplify how climate change affects on the hydrological cycle can be genralised, but affects would vary globally

* Northern Hemisphere - boreal & tundra climates wetter * Whereas, much of the world will be drier, esepcially where there are mediteranean climates

It is necessary to distinguish between ..... climate change impacts & the ...... of ENSO cycle

* longterm * short term oscillations

Why is it so difficult to distinguish between enso cycles & climate change

* ENSO cycles result in both extreme flooding & drought in different parts of the world simultaneously

Some world regions are affected by climate change every ....... or ...... by changes in atmospheric circulation, one of which is ENSO

Some world regions are affected by climate change every **decade** or **less** by changes in atmospheric circulation, one of which is ENSO

Some world regions are affected by climate change every decade or less by changes in ...................., one of which is ..................

Some world regions are affected by climate change every decade or less by changes in **atmospheric circulation**, one of which is **ENSO**

Where does ENSO create uncertainty in water supplies

* Oceania * South East Asia * the Americas

When does Southern USA feel water secuirty from La Nino

* October to April

When does North East USA feel water insecurity from El Nino

* December to March

Southern USA experiences water security during....

El Nino

North East USA experiences water security during....

La Nina

What is a greater cocnern than ENSO cycles (arguably)

* the potential impat of short-term climate changes (regardless of ENSO cycles) on global water supplies

What would increase the frequency of ENSO cycles

* if land & sea surface temperatures continue to rise, then it is possible ENSO cycles could become more frequent rather than every 2-3 years

Explain the factors leading to diminishing water supply & increased long-term uncertainty -SA & Australia climates

* more periodic, unusual climates * would lead to unreliable rainfall patterns of rainfall * & failure of monsoons impacting tropical climates

Explain the factors leading to diminishing water supply & increased long-term uncertainty -increased temperatures

* increased evaporation from surface water & reservoirs * lowers water levels * & increases risk of waterborne diseases & cholera

Explain the factors leading to diminishing water supply & increased long-term uncertainty -evapotranspiration

* increased evapotranspiration * desiccation of tree stores

Define desiccation

* the process of wet soil drying out and losing moisture to the surrounding environment, which can eventually cause the ground to crack

Explain the factors leading to diminishing water supply & increased long-term uncertainty -snowfall

* lower snowfall & glacial melt * threatens inidigenous communitys located in mountain civilisations