Hydrological cycle - hydrosphere

Question 1

Baseflow

Answer 1

the ground water flow that feeds into rivers through river banks and beds.

Question 2

Channel flow

Answer 2

the water flowing in a river, also known as river discharge

Question 3

Condensation

Answer 3

the change in atmosphere when droplets of water vapour cool and change back into liquid water

Question 4

Evaporation

Answer 4

the process by which liquid water is transformed into water vapour
considerable solar energy is needed
varies with temperature, wind speed, humidity

Question 5

evapotranspiration

Answer 5

2 components of evaporation and transpiration

Question 6

ground water

Answer 6

water stored within rocks, rock pores and joints

Question 7

groundwater flow

Answer 7

water flowing slowly below the water table through permeable rock

Question 8

infiltration

Answer 8

water socks into and moves through the soil;

this process is influenced by the permeability and porosity of soil.

Question 9

percolation

Answer 9

as the water moves through and seeps down the soil, it may continue to move deeper (percolate) into the rocks

Question 10

precipitation

Answer 10

MAIN OUTPUT

the variables include type or form of precipitation (rain or snow), the total amount and seasonality

Question 11

runoff or overland flow

Answer 11

the total of all the water that flows over the surface of the river basin, mainly flowing away within rivers.

Question 12

transpiration

Answer 12

the biological process by which water is lost from a plant through the stomata in the leaves
rates depend on the time of year, type and amount of vegetation.

Question 13

Humans influencing the hydrological cycle

Answer 13

• urbanisation: tarmac reduces infiltration and groundwater flow. Also increases surface run off as drains will carry water faster to rivers. Reduces evapotranspiration,
• water supply and use: dams are created to increase storage for supplying water to homes, reducing water within rivers
• mining and river siltation: results in the silting up of lakes, rivers and reservoir, leading to reduced storage capacity. Reduces vegetation cover, leading to increased run-off.
• Agricultural: increase of irrigation increases infiltration and run-off. Water can be polluted by pesticides and fertilisers.

Question 14

Physical influences on the hydrological cycle

Answer 14

• vegetation: intercepts precipitation and slow movements of water into river channels, increasing lag time; water is lost through evaporation and transpiration reducing peak discharge
• temperature: lower temperatures ( water stored as ice/snow reducing run off); melting when temperatures rise increase run-off;
• drainage density: basins with many streams drain more quickly, so have a shorter lag time