Changes in the Magnitude of the Water Cycle Stores

Question 1

How long does water usually remain as seasonal snow cover?

Answer 1

2 to 6 months

Question 2

How long does water usually remain in rivers for?

Answer 2

2 to 6 months

Question 3

How long does water usually remain as soil water for?

Answer 3

1 to 2 months

Question 4

How long does water usually remain in lakes for?

Answer 4

50 to 100 years

Question 5

How long does water usually remain in glaciers for?

Answer 5

20 to 100 years

Question 6

How long does water usually remain in shallow groundwater for?

Answer 6

100 to 200 years

Question 7

How long does water usually remain in deep groundwater for?

Answer 7

10,000 years

Question 8

What is the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone?

Answer 8

A low pressure zone caused by high temperatures, which leads to high levels of evaporation. The warm, moist air then rises and condenses to form towering banks of cloud and heavy rainfall.

Question 9

Cloud formation in mid-latitudes?

Answer 9

It is mostly driven by convergence of Diameter of inhibition zone of warm air from the Tropics and cold air from the Arctic.

Question 10

What is a “jet stream”?

Answer 10

Strong upper level winds.

Question 11

Why are largely changeable conditions experienced in the UK?

Answer 11

Because of the jet stream - these drive unstable weather conditions across the mid-latitudes

Question 12

On a glacier, what is the equilibrium line?

Answer 12

It marks the altitude where annual accumulation and melting are equal.

Question 13

The melting of the polar ice sheets could lead to…?

Answer 13

A 60m sea level rise - adding more liquid to the ocean store.

Question 14

How could deforestation affect a hilltop water cycle?

Answer 14

The removal of trees reduces infiltration and interception. Overland flow increases.

Question 15

How could storms affect a hilltop water cycle?

Answer 15

Intense rainfall increases the amount of precipitation reaching the ground which increases the magnitude of the stores.

Question 16

How could urbanisation affect a hilltop water cycle?

Answer 16

If the slope is developed for housing, impermeable surfaces will be used and reduce infiltration.
Trees will be cut down.
Water will flow quickly through pipes to nearby river channels.

Question 17

How could farming affect a hilltop water cycle?

Answer 17

Ditches drain the land and encourage water to flow quickly to rivers.
Irrigation increases the amount of water on the ground.

Question 18

How do seasonal changes affect a hilltop water cycle?

Answer 18

Winter snowfalls and frozen ground interrupt the water transfer and affect the magnitude of stores.

Question 19

Why does atmospheric water have the lowest residence time?

Answer 19

Because the water is returned to the terrestrial system through precipitation when the temperature of the air is reduced to dew point, but the temperature remains constant.

Question 20

Why does deep groundwater flow have the greatest retention time?

Answer 20

Due to a lack of solar energy, the water in this store is unable to evaporate.