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Geography (Physical) - 1. Water and Carbon Cycles > The Water Cycle > Flashcards

The Water Cycle Flashcards

1
Q

What is the magnitude of each water store, from largest to smallest? (Atmosphere, lakes, rivers, living things, oceans, groundwater, ice caps/sheets/glaciers, soilwater, swamps/marshes) - Water Cycle

A

Oceans, glaciers/ice caps/sheets, groundwater, lakes, soilwater, atmosphere, swamps/marshes, rivers, living things.

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2
Q

What is the length of time spent in each of the following stores from largest to smallest? (Rivers/lakes, atmosphere, oceans, soil, glaciers/ice caps/sheets, groundwater) - Water Cycle

A

Glaciers/ice sheets/caps, groundwater, oceans, rivers/lakes, soil, atmosphere

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3
Q

How much of all the Earth’s water is contained in rivers? - Water Cycle

A

Rivers house 0.0002% of all the Earth’s water.

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4
Q

What is the average resident time of groundwater? - Water Cycle

A

10,000 years

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5
Q

What percentage of the Earth’s water is in the lithosphere? - Water Cycle

A

1.14% of the Earth’s total water is in the lithosphere.

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6
Q

How much of the Earth’s total water is stored in oceans? - Water Cycle

A

97% of Earth’s total water is stored in Oceans.

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7
Q

What is the maximum residence time of cryospheric water? - Water Cycle

A

Maximum residence time of 15,000 years for cryospheric water.

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8
Q

In what store is more than 99% of the Earth’s freshwater found? - Water Cycle

A

More than 99% of the Earth’s freshwater is stored in the cryosphere.

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9
Q

What are the 3 types of rainfall? What is the main type in the UK? - Water Cycle

A

Relief rainfall, frontal rainfall, convectional rainfall.

The main type of UK Rainfall is relief rainfall coming over mountainous western regions and then raining in the west.

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10
Q

Describe the process of relief rainfall? - Water Cycle

A

Relief rainfall is where the relief of the land causes warm air to rise, cool at higher altitude and condense on condensation nuclei to form clouds. This causes subsequent rainfall as this process continues.

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11
Q

Describe the process of frontal rainfall - Water Cycle

A

Where hot and cool air meet, with cold air sinking and warm air rising as a consequence. This warm air condenses on condensation nuclei as it rises, leading to clouds forming and rain later forming.

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12
Q

Describe the process of convectional rainfall - Water Cycle

A

Infrared solar radiation impacting the Earth’s surface causes the evaporation of surface water, which condenses on condensation nuclei as it rises, forming clouds and leading to rainfall.

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13
Q

What is evaporation? - Water Cycle

A

The transfer of water from a liquid to a gaseous state.

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14
Q

What is evapotranspiration? - Water Cycle

A

The combined product of evaporation and transpiration (water which taken up by root systems and then released through the stomata of the leaves.

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15
Q

What 4 factors affect evapotranspiration? - Water Cycle

A
  1. Levels of solar energy
  2. Availability of water
  3. Humidity of the air
  4. Temperature of the air
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16
Q

How does humidity of the air affect rate of evapotranspiration? - Water Cycle

A

The higher the humidity, the closer the air is to the saturation point, the slower the rate of evapotranspiration.

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17
Q

How does the evaporation of water affect the temperature of the surroundings of the water? - Water Cycle

A

As water evaporates, it uses energy in the form of latent heat, causing its surroundings to cool.

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18
Q

What is the dew point? - Water Cycle

A

The temperature at which excess water in the atmosphere is converted into condensation.

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19
Q

What is needed for condensation to form? (2) - Water Cycle

A

The air is required to reach a significantly low temperature, at which water vapour is able to cool and condense to form condensation.
For water vapour to condense, it needs small particles known as condensation nuclei to condense on. Can be small particles of dust/smoke.

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20
Q

What happens if the surface temperature is below the freezing point and water vapour is going to condense? - Water Cycle

A

If the surface temp is lower than 0°C, water is deposited in the form of frost, directly onto the Earth’s surface.

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21
Q

Why is cloud cover common over the equator? - Water Cycle

A

Cloud cover is common over the equator as warm temperatures are needed for water vapour to evaporate. It then condenses when it reaches a significantly cool temperature, forming clouds.

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22
Q

What factor is key in the determination of runoff generation? - Water Cycle

A

Levels of infiltration are key in determining levels of runoff. High levels of infiltration strongly limit runoff, but low levels would lead to high levels of runoff over surfaces.

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23
Q

What signals that a glacial period is in process? - Water Cycle

A

When accumulation of ice > ablation of ice.

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24
Q

What signals that an interglacial period is in process? - Water Cycle

A

When ablation of ice > accumulation.

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25
Q

How long does a glacial period tend to last for on average? - Water Cycle

A

Around 750,000 years.

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26
Q

What happens to cause precipitation? - Water Cycle

A

The temperature of the air is reduced to the dew point and it passes over a warm surface.

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27
Q

What is a drainage basin? What is the boundary of a drainage basin known as? - Water Cycle

A

The area of land which is drained into a particular river or set of rivers.
The boundary of a drainage basin is known as the watershed.

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28
Q

What is a confluence? - Water Cycle

A

A confluence is the point where a stream or river joins another river

29
Q

What is a tributary? - Water Cycle

A

A tributary is a smaller river/stream which feeds into a larger river.

30
Q

What is the source of a river? - Water Cycle

A

The point furthest from the river’s mouth for that specific stream, where the river begins/comes from

31
Q

What is the river’s mouth? - Water Cycle

A

The mouth of a river is the point at which a river reaches the ocean.

32
Q

What is a river’s estuary? - Water Cycle

A

The tidal area where sea water can flow up a river, the point at which the tide meets the stream.

33
Q

How does vegetation density affect flows in a drainage basin? - Water Cycle

A

An increased amount of vegetation increases interception, vegetation storage, stem flow, throughfall and evapotranspiration, meaning that from precipitation to channel flow, this process may take significantly longer.
DECREASES SURFACE RUNOFF

34
Q

How does soil porosity affect flows in a drainage basin? - Water Cycle

A

Increased soil porosity increases infiltration, throughflow and soil moisture. Also decreases surface runoff and surface storage.
Decreased DOES OPPOSITE.

35
Q

How does slope gradient affect flows in a drainage basin? - Water Cycle

A

Increased slope gradient reduces infiltration and increases runoff, channel storage and channel flow.
Decreased does THE OPPOSITE.

36
Q

How does the intensity of rain affect flows in a drainage basin? - Water Cycle

A

Increased intensity of rainfall can increase surface storage, surface runoff, channel storage and channel flow.
Decreased does THE OPPOSITE

37
Q

How does geology affect flows in a drainage basin? - Water Cycle

A

If the rock of a drainage basin is porous/permeable, this increases percolation and throughflow, reducing surface runoff.
If rock not porous or is impermeable this does THE OPPOSITE.

38
Q

What is water balance? - Water Cycle

A

The amount of water stored in soil, calculated using precipitation, discharge, evapotranspiration and groundwater storage.

39
Q

What is the water balance equation? - Water Cycle

A

Precipitation = Discharge + Evaporation +/- changes in store.

40
Q

What is the equation for a positive water balance? What are the impacts of this? - Water Cycle

A

A positive water balance has the equation: precipitation > evapotranspiration.
This leads to flood risks as a result of surplus.

41
Q

What is the equation for a negative water balance? What are the impacts of this? - Water Cycle

A

A negative water balance has the equation precipitation < evapotranspiration.
This leads to drought risk as a result of deficit.

42
Q

What is soil moisture surplus? What is water used for at this stage? - Water Cycle

A

The state at which precipitation is above evapotranspiration, leading to the soil moisture store being in surplus as a result.
This water is used for plants, runoff into streams, recharging groundwater supplies.

43
Q

What is soil moisture utilisation? - Water Cycle

A

The stage at which evapotranspiration begins to increase and exceed precipitation, meaning that soil moisture is extracted to combat this and maintain vegetation and river flows.

44
Q

What is soil moisture deficiency? What does this lead to? What plants survive this? - Water Cycle

A

The stage at which soil moisture has been fully utilised as a result of increased evapotranspiration and low precipitation. Only adapted plants and irrigated plants can survive this deficit.

45
Q

What is soil moisture recharge? - Water Cycle

A

The soil moisture recharge is where evapotranspiration decreases and precipitation exceeds it, meaning that soil moisture stores begin to refill.

46
Q

What is field capacity? What are its impacts? - Water Cycle

A

The point at which soil is completely saturated and can therefore hold more more water. Leads to surface storage and increased channel flow.

47
Q

In the UK, at what times in the year do: 1. Soil moisture surplus 2. Soil moisture utilisation 3. Maximum Annual Temperatures, occur? - Water Cycle

A
  1. Winter and early spring, before temperatures rise and whilst soil is heavily saturated from intense rainfall over winter.
  2. Early summer, and evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation, leading to soil moisture supplies being required to maintain plants.
  3. At the height of summer and incoming solar radiation is at its highest.
48
Q

In the UK, at what times in the year do: 1. Soil moisture deficiency 2. Soil moisture recharge 3. Field capacity, occur? - Water Cycle

A
  1. Mid-late summer, when soil moisture supplies have been exhausted, potentially leading to drought.
  2. In early Autumn, when precipitation levels exceed evapotranspiration,
    causing soil moisture supplies to refill.
  3. When evapotranspiration reaches its lowest in mid winter, causing soil moisture to increase rapidly, and the soil to become fully saturated.
49
Q

What is a river regime? - Water Cycle

A

The annual variation in a river’s discharge

50
Q

How does rainfall affect a river regime? - Water Cycle

A

Increased rainfall will increase surface runoff, leading to more water flowing over a drainage basin’s land towards a river.

51
Q

How does snowmelt affect a river regime? - Water Cycle

A

Snowmelt can very rapidly lead to precipitation which is stored as snow running towards a river at one time. This is done through surface runoff, leading to a major increase in river discharge after snowmelt.

52
Q

How does temperature affect a river regime? - Water Cycle

A

As temperatures increase, so do evapotranspiration levels, resulting in water not necessarily reaching the river channel as it is taken up by plants to replace transpired water or has already been evaporated. Leads to decreased levels of river discharge.

53
Q

How does urbanisation affect river regime? - Water Cycle

A

Towns and cities growing increases the presence of impermeable surfaces such as tarmac and concrete, which have replaced soil and vegetation. This means that runoff increases as soil moisture and vegetation storage are limited. Additionally, river discharge increases and the speed at which water reaches the channel increases.

54
Q

How does vegetation type affect river regime? - Water Cycle

A

Increased levels of vegetation increase rates of interception, which limits discharge and runoff.
SEASONAL variation, in which deciduous trees lose leaves in winter, meaning interception is reduced and runoff and discharge increase.

55
Q

How does the shape of a basin affect a river regime? - Water Cycle

A

A long, thin basin takes much longer for water to flow through the river, decreasing discharge, whereas a rounded basin is much quicker, increasing discharge.

56
Q

How does the slope of a river basin affect a river regime? - Water Cycle

A

If a basin is steep, then it will have reduced infiltration and much faster runoff, leading to higher levels of discharge, whereas a flatter basin will have much greater levels of infiltration, which in turn reduces discharge.

57
Q

How does geology affect a river regime? - Water Cycle

A

If ground rock is permeable, then percolation is improved and water is able to flow to groundwater stores, as well as decrease interflow. This decreases discharge. The opposite is true of impermeable rock, which will lead to more saturated soils and more runoff, meaning discharge increases as a result.

58
Q

How does deforestation affect a river regime? - Water Cycle

A

Deforestation reduces interception, throughfall and stem flow, and therefore means that soil moisture increases, as well as surface storage. Runoff will also increase, leading to a larger volume of water ending up as river discharge.

59
Q

What is a hydrograph? What does it show? - Water Cycle

A

A hydrograph is a graph showing a storm event and the relationship between precipitation and river discharge for a particular river.

60
Q

What physical features can affect a hydrograph? What human features can affect a hydrograph? - Water Cycle

A

Physical - Size of drainage basin, shape of drainage basin, rock type, relief, vegetation density, soil type
Human - land use, deforestation, urbanisation

61
Q

What is the unit for river discharge? What is lag time? - Water Cycle

A

River discharge is given in the unit cumecs (cubic metres / second)
Lag time is the length of time between peak rainfall and peak river discharge.

62
Q

What are the features of a drainage basin with a flashy hydrograph? - Water Cycle

A

Steep relief, round drainage basin (water reaches river at same time), large drainage basin (more water), urbanisation (impermeable surfaces), high storm intensity, saturated or baked ground, low vegetation so low interception.

63
Q

What are the features of a drainage basin with a subdued hydrograph? - Water Cycle

A

Elongated drainage basin, small drainage basin (water reaches river faster), gentler sloping relief, permeable rock, high vegetation cover, low human activity, ground allowing saturation.

64
Q

What seasonal factors affect the water table? - Water Cycle

A

Drought in summer can mean less vegetation (less interceptions and transpiration). Evapotranspiration increase in summer, baked soil reduces infiltration, interception and evapotranspiration decrease in winter without leaves on deciduous trees, saturated/frozen soil decrease infiltration and increase overland flow.

65
Q

How do farming practices affect the water table? - Water Cycle

A

Precipitation stored in reservoirs can be extracted to water crops in droughts, river water can be used but downstream flow reduced, evapotranspiration decreased if forest deforested for agriculture, wells drilled can lead to overabstraction of groundwater, farmed crops intercept less than natural vegetation (increase overland flow and infiltration), soil compacted by machinery can decrease infiltration.

66
Q

How can land use change by deforestation and by urbanisation impact the water table? - Water Cycle

A

D - fewer plants reduce evapotranspiration, declines in rainfall. Interception rates increase in deforested areas, time taken from rainfall to infiltration reduced by lack of stem flow.
U - Vegetated surfaces removed and replaced by impermeable surfaces, reducing infiltration and increasing runoff. Groundwater depleted by abstraction means that rivers may not be replenished by base flow.

67
Q

How can water abstraction change the water table? - Water Cycle

A

Wells may dry up as a result of over abstraction lowering the water table, removing groundwater can reduce water levels at surface areas due to reduction in base flow, water quality may deteriorate in coastal regions due to SALTWATER INTRUSION.

68
Q

What 6 factors drive change in the water cycle? - Water Cycle

A

Evapotranspiration, condensation, cloud formation, runoff generation, cryospheric processes, precipitation

Geography (Physical) - 1. Water and Carbon Cycles (6 decks)

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