Hydrosphere Flashcards
(38 cards)
Define a catchment area
a territory surrounding a waterway in which all the surface water drains into.
Which of the following does not affect the flow of water into a catchment area?
A) Depth and latitude of the water reservoir
B) Industrial and urban development
C) Shape and slope of the terrain
D) Density and diversity of the vegetation
A) Depth and latitude of the water reservoir
In what ways does human activity affect waterways in a catchment area?
- pollution (excess ferilizer, oil)
- creation of reservoirs or navigation channel
- irrigation projects
- draining or filling wetlands
Which of the following activities has the greatest impact on the flow of water in a catchment area?
A) Filling up a child’s swimming pool with 40 L of water.
B) Treating drinking water for a city in a municipal water treatment plant.
C) Rerouting rivers for the construction of a hydroelectric dam.
D) Repairing a bridge connecting Montreal’s South Shore to the Island of Montreal.
C) Rerouting rivers for the construction of a hydroelectric dam.
Define salinity
The concentration of salt in a solution. Water in oceans is saline because salts from the lithosphere are dissolved in it.
Where is water salinity high and explain why
Near the equator. Water evaporates at a greater rate due to high temperatures, creating a higher salt content.
where is ocean salinity at it’s lowest? Explain why.
Near the Polar Regions, ocean water has a lower salinity. The fresh water (found in pack ice and glaciers) enters the oceans diluting the salt water,
reducing its salinity.
From the statements below, choose two which will cause an increase in the salinity
of ocean water.
1. increased erosion
2. ocean water redirected to a tidal energy plant
3. ice floes and glaciers melt
4. water evaporates at the equator
1 and 4
Samples of ocean water were collected from different depths and analyzed.
* Sample A : 8.32 g of salt in 240 mL
* Sample B: 7.65 g of salt in 0.225 L
* Sample C: 4.20 g of salt in 115 mL
Rank these samples in order of increasing salinity
B, A, C
Which is more dense; fresh water or ocean water?
Fresh water is less dense
Which of the following will increase the density of a solution?
1. Increasing the salinity
2. Decreasing the salinity
3. Adding water
4. Allowing water to evaporate
1 and 4
Does the density of the ocean water increase or decrease as glaciers and pack ice
melt? Explain your answer.
The density of the ocean water decreases. Glaciers and pack ice are made of fresh water. When they melt, it decreases the salinity
define ocean circulation
the combination of water movement due to surface currents, subsurface current, and the
rotation of the Earth.
What are surface currents? What causes them?
water as deep as 400 m and are caused by wind. They generally move water across the Earth horizontally.
What causes subsurface currents?
the density of water, which is affected by the saliny and temperature
describe the type of water that has a tendency to sink.
cold and salty
describe the type of water that has a tendency to rise.
less salty and warm
Different factors can affect the circulation of surface currents and deep currents in
the ocean.
1. Temperature differences in the water
2. Air pressure differences in the atmosphere
3. Differences in the waters’ salinity
4. The rotation of the Earth
5. The depth of the water
Which of the factors above only effect surface currents?
2 and 4
What are the characteristics of ocean water which has a tendency to sink?
A) Low temperature and low density
B) Low temperature and high density
C) High temperature and low density
D) High temperature and high density
B) Low temperature and high density
what causes thermohaline?
the differences in temperature and saltiness, the combination of surface and subsurface currents.
what is the fuction of thermohaline
regulates temperatures, preventing extreme cold at the poles and extreme heat around the equator.
describe the movement of thermohaline
- In the polar regions, cold surface water sinks to the bottom of the ocean floor and
travels along the ocean floor - When it gets to warmer regions (such as the equator) the water is heated and
rises back up to the surface and then warm water travels along the surface
towards - When it gets to the Polar Regions, the warm water gets cooled once more and
the process repeats itself.
Which of the following statements concerning thermohaline circulation is true?
A) Thermohaline circulation allows for the heat accumulated in ocean water at the
Polar Regions to circulate to the Equatorial Region.
B) Thermohaline circulation allows for the heat accumulated in ocean water at the
Equatorial Region to circulate to the Polar Regions.
C) Thermohaline circulation can be compared to a conveyor belt which moves warm
and cold air masses around the Earth.
D) Thermohaline circulation can be compared to a conveyor belt which moves warm
and cold freshwater systems around the Earth.
B) Thermohaline circulation allows for the heat accumulated in ocean water at the
Equatorial Region to circulate to the Polar Regions.
Explain how glaciers are formed
- Formed as a slow sliding mass
of ice is formed on land due to
the accumulation of snow on
top of it. - As snow accumulates on top of
the glacier, the layers below
are compacted and form ice. - As the glacier slides, some of
the ice gets pushed out its
sides and breaks off. It falls into
the ocean in large chunks and
forms icebergs.
