Water key words

Question 1

Anticyclone

Answer 1

A system of high pressure causing high temperatures and high evaporation rates

Question 2

Channel flow

Answer 2

Water flowing in a stream or river

Question 3

Cryosphere

Answer 3

The global water volume locked up in a frozen state

Question 4

Depression

Answer 4

A system of low pressure with precipatation where low and high pressure air masses meet

Question 5

Desublimation

Answer 5

The change of state of water from a gas to a solid without being a liquid

Question 6

Drainage basin

Answer 6

The area of land drained by a river and its tributaries

Question 7

Drought

Answer 7

An extended period of deficient rainfall relative to the average for a region

Question 8

Economic water scarcity

Answer 8

When water resources are available but insufficient economic wealth limits access to it

Question 9

ENSO Cycles

Answer 9

El Nino Southern Oscillations - naturally occurring phenomena that involves the movement of warm water in the Equatorial Pacific.

Question 10

Evapotranspiration

Answer 10

The combined total moisture transferred from the Earth to the atmosphere, through evaporation and transpiration

Question 11

Global hydrological cycle

Answer 11

The continuous transfer of water between land, atmosphere and oceans. The Earth is a closed system.

Question 12

Groundwater flow

Answer 12

Water moving horizontally through permeable or porous rock due to Gravity.

Question 13

Infiltration

Answer 13

The movement of water vertically through the pores in soil.

Question 14

Integrated Drainage Basin Management

Answer 14

Establishing a frame of coordinated efforts between administrations (e.g. local government) and stakeholders to achieve balanced management of a basin

Question 15

Meterological drought

Answer 15

When long-term precipitation trends are below average

Question 16

Percolation

Answer 16

Water moving vertically from soil into permeable rock

Question 17

River regime

Answer 17

The pattern of river discharge over a year

Question 18

Salinisation

Answer 18

Where salt water contaminates freshwater stores or soils, creating saline conditions and reducing human use/ consumption.

Question 19

Saltwater Encroachment​

Answer 19

The movement of saltwater into freshwater aquifers or soils. This may be caused by sea level rise, storm surges or over-extraction

Question 20

Sublimation

Answer 20

​The change of state of water from solid to a gas, without being a
liquid.

Question 21

Throughflow

Answer 21

​Water moving horizontally through the soil, due to gravity.

Question 22

Waterbudget

Answer 22

The annual balance between inputs and outputs within a system.

Question 23

Water Scarcity​

Answer 23

​There are limited renewable water sources (between 500 and 1000 cubic metres per capita per year).

Question 24

Water Security

Answer 24

The ability to protect and access a sustainable source to adequately meet demand

Question 25

Watershed

Answer 25

The boundary between neighbouring drainage basins