WC 2.1.1- systems and mass balance

Question 1

describe the global hydrological cycle

What system is it
Are there any input or outputs
Is the volume of water infinite or finite
Think about state the water is in

Answer 1

It is a closed system that is made up of a series of processes
There are no external inputs or outputs because the volume of water is finite
But the water does change states

Question 2

The concept of mass balance in the water cycle is important, what is it

The t_____ amount of _____ is al_____ co________
amount of w_____ in the sy_____ is f____

Answer 2

The concept of mass balance is that the amount of water is always conserved, it is fixed within the earth atmosphere system

Question 3

define the Cryosphere

Answer 3

the cryosphere is the parts of the earth that are frozen, where water is in solid form

Question 4

define fluxes

Answer 4

The rate of flow between stores

Question 5

define residence time

Answer 5

the average time a water molecule will spend in a store

Question 6

name the two non-renewable sources of water

Answer 6

1. cryosphere losses- frozen parts of land melting away
2. fossil water- ancient, underground water from former wet periods of time

Question 7

what does the water budget limit

Answer 7

There’s limited availability of water for human use

Question 8

name the 4 factors that make a difference to residence times of water in a store

H
T
Cr
Tem c

Answer 8

1. human impacts
2. temperature
3. if the water is frozen
4. temperature change -seasons

-depth-ice age-rock type

Question 9

water stores have different r_____ _____

Answer 9

resistance times

Question 10

name the 3 stores in the global water balance
name the 5 flows in the global balance

Answer 10

1.Oceans 137,0000 Gtc
2. Atmosphere 13 Gtc
3. land 36,000

1. evaporation 425 (ocean to atmosphere)
2. Precipitation 386 (atmosphere to ocean)
3. Land precipitation 111 (atmosphere to land)
4. Evapotranspiration 71 (land to atmosphere)
5. runoff and ground water flow 40 (land to atmosphere)

Question 11

which store has the most water storage

Answer 11

ocean has the most storage
then land
then atmosphere

Question 12

2.1.1 b- in the water cycle
name the five factors affecting the distribution and size of Stores

Answer 12

five factors affecting the distribution and size of the stores are
1. geology
2. type of rainfall
3. temperature
4. permeability
5. basin type and storage