Water world

Question 1

Define the hydrological cycle

Answer 1

A closed system of water movement between stores

Question 2

Define a closed system

Answer 2

Where no water can enter or exit the system/cycle

Question 3

Define a drainage basin

Answer 3

The area drained by a river and it’s tributaries

Question 4

What processes return water to the oceans?

Answer 4

Surface run-off (rivers) due to impeccable rock and intense rainfall
Groundwater flow through unsaturated permeable rock due to percolation

Question 5

Define Infiltration

Answer 5

Vertical movement of water into soil

Question 6

Define percolation

Answer 6

Vertical movement of water through permeable rock

Question 7

Define what the aquifer is

Answer 7

Saturated rock which acts as a groundwater storage

Question 8

What does groundwater flow through?

Answer 8

Unsaturated permeable rock

Question 9

When does surface run-off occur?

Answer 9

When the rock is impermeable or saturated

Question 10

How does water transfer from earth into the atmosphere?

Answer 10

Evapotranspiration

Question 11

Define what evapotranspiration is

Answer 11

Sum of evaporation from the oceans and transpiration from vegetation to transfer water from the earth’s surface to the atmosphere

Question 12

Define interception in the hydrological cycle

Answer 12

Blockage or slowing of the transfer of water from the atmosphere to the earth’s surface by vegetation

Question 13

define drip flow

Answer 13

The transfer of water from precipitation to soil by vegetation

Question 14

What is a depression storage?

Answer 14

A puddle - a temporary store

Question 15

Define through flow

Answer 15

Flow of water horizontally through soil

Question 16

Define transpiration

Answer 16

Transfer of water from vegetation to the atmosphere through the stomata by photosynthesis

Question 17

Define stem flow

Answer 17

Transfer of intercepted precipitation via tree trunks

Question 18

What is water stress?

Answer 18

When demand for water exceeds the supply for a certain period OR when the quality of water isn’t good enough

Question 19

What is Physical water scarcity?

Answer 19

When the demand always exceeds the supply OR the quality of water is never good enough for everyone to have enough water

Question 20

What is Economic water scarcity?

Answer 20

When people can’t afford the water even if it’s readily available

Question 21

Why is there water scarcity?

Answer 21

Global warming - more evaporation less water
Melting of glaciers - fresh water turning into sea water which isn’t drinkable
Industrialisation which uses lots of water

Question 22

How can human activity disrupt water supply?

Answer 22

Dams - reduce quantity of water downstream
Deforestation can reduce precipitation levels
Unreliable rainfall patterns due to climate change
Industrial, agricultural and domestic waste can contaminate important water sources

Question 23

Why is there a higher demand for water?

Answer 23

Rising demand in emerging economies from industry through industrialisation
High demand for generating electricity
Rising demand for food in developing world - greater irrigation is needed for intensive agriculture
Domestic demand increases as water is piped to homes in developing countries - used more frequently
Greater disposable incomes - buy appliances that require water (washing machines) and water garden
People shower and wash more
Population growth in LEDC’s

Question 24

Why is the physical scarcity of water increasing?

Answer 24

Enhanced greenhouse effect - oceans warm - greater melting of glaciers that contain fresh water
Increasing drought from less rainfall
More extreme weathering North Hemisphere like flooding which leads to a loss of fresh water

Question 25

What are the impacts of global warming on precipitation?

Answer 25

Warmer temperatures lead to more precipitation
More water vapour in atmosphere
Greater precipitation intensity - flooding

Question 26

What are the impacts of global warming on evaporation?

Answer 26

Warmer atmosphere will increase evaporation rates leading to higher amounts of moisture in the atmosphere
Warmer temperatures will increase evaporation from soil surfaces making drought more likely

Question 27

What are the impacts of global warming on river flow?

Answer 27

Most changes in North Hemisphere - most land and rivers
A warmer climate - earlier spring - mountain snow would melt earlier - greater river flow in spring and less river flow in the summer
Reduces availability of fresh water in the hot when water demand is the highest

Question 28

What are the impacts of global warming on drought?

Answer 28

Increased drought due to more evaporation and less river flow - areas of drought worse affected but areas currently with no drought not going to be affected

Question 29

How do domestic activities threaten water quality?

Answer 29

Sewage treatment
Landfill and possible contamination of groundwater
Construction
Chemicals added to parks, lawns and golf courses

Question 30

How do Industrial activities threaten water quality?

Answer 30

Industrial waste discharge
Underground mining interrupts groundwater
Siltration in reservoirs - (small minerals in water)
Deforestation

Question 31

How do agricultural activities threaten water quality?

Answer 31

Livestock waste (slurry)
Fertilisers and irrigation

Question 32

How do other activities threaten water quality?

Answer 32

Climate change - more intense rainfall - Storm water run-off which mixes with fertilisers and waste
Salt run-off from roads (salt on roads in the winter)