Water cycle

• Where is water stored in the lithosphere?

  In rocks, minerals, clay, and groundwater
• What does the hydrosphere include?

  Oceans, seas, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds
• What is stored in the cryosphere?

  Glaciers, ice sheets, and frozen oceans
• Where is water stored in the atmosphere?

  In clouds and microscopic water vapour
• What percentage of global water is stored in the hydrosphere?

  96.5%
• How does the volume of ocean water change over long timescales?

  It decreases during ice advances
• What happens to cryospheric stores in colder climatic conditions?

  They can increase in volume
• What is the effect of evaporation on atmospheric storage?

  It increases atmospheric water storage
• What is the primary source of atmospheric water?

  Evaporation from oceans and seas
• How does evaporation affect hydrospheric storage in hot areas?

  It reduces hydrospheric storage significantly
• What is condensation in the water cycle?

  Gaseous water vapour changes to liquid water
• What role do aerosols play in condensation?

  They help water molecules combine into larger droplets
• What is the dew point?

  The temperature where condensation occurs
• What causes precipitation to occur?

  Droplets become too big and fall
• What is coalescence in the context of precipitation?

  When water molecules combine to form larger droplets
• Why do desert areas receive limited rainfall?

  They have sinking, dry air from high pressure
• Why do large continental interiors tend to be dry?

  Distance from moisture sources causes dryness
• Why are polar areas dry?

  Cold air cannot hold much moisture
• What causes high rainfall near the equator?

  Intense heating and moist rising air
• What is frontal precipitation?

  Occurs when warm air rises over cold air
• What is orographic precipitation?

  Precipitation caused by air rising over mountains
• What is the rainshadow effect?

  Reduced rainfall on the downwind side of mountains
• How might climate change affect precipitation patterns?

  Some areas may see increased or decreased rainfall
• What happened during the last ice advance?

  Increased glacial accumulation and lower sea levels
• What is the impact of recent warming on glaciers?

  Reduced accumulation and increased ablation levels
• What is the potential risk for glaciers in the Himalayas?

  They may melt completely, affecting water supplies
• What is a drainage basin?

  The area drained by a river
• What separates one drainage basin from another?

  The highland, known as the watershed line
• How long does water remain in soil water stores?

  1-2 months
• How long does water remain in rivers?

  2-6 months
• How long does water remain in glaciers?

  20-100 years
• How long does water remain in lakes?

  100-200 years
• How long does water remain in shallow groundwater?

  100-200 years
• How long does water remain in deep groundwater?

  10,000 years
• What is water balance in a drainage basin?

  Balance between inputs and outputs of water
• What drives changes in water storage?

  Temperature is the biggest driving force
• What happened 10,000 years ago regarding sea levels?

  Sea levels were 100m lower than today
• What was the warmest period 3 million years ago?

  Sea levels were 50m higher than today
• What has increased in recent years affecting soil moisture?

  Desertification has increased
• How does changing temperatures affect global water amounts?

  It doesn't change the amount of water globally