Hydrological Cycle

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary source of energy that drives the hydrological cycle?

The sun's energy

What are the main reservoirs of water in the hydrological cycle?

The oceans, atmosphere, land, and living organisms

What are the five key processes involved in the hydrological cycle?

Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff

How does the hydrological cycle impact the environment and human societies?

It affects climate, weather, ecosystems, and human activity Signup and view all the answers

What type of cycle is the hydrological cycle, in addition to being a water cycle?

A biogeochemical cycle Signup and view all the answers

What is interception in the context of the hydrological cycle?

Precipitation that doesn’t reach the soil, intercepted by leaves, branches, and plants. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of depression storage in the hydrological cycle?

To store precipitation that would otherwise be runoff, and remove water through infiltration or evaporation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between infiltration and percolation in the hydrological cycle?

Infiltration is the process of water entering the soil, while percolation is the movement of water through the soil itself. Signup and view all the answers

What is surface runoff, and what causes it?

Surface runoff is the flow of water over the land surface, occurring when excess precipitation water can no longer infiltrate the soil. Signup and view all the answers

What is interflow, and how does it differ from surface runoff?

Interflow is the relatively rapid flow of water towards a stream channel that occurs below the surface, slower than surface runoff. Signup and view all the answers

What is groundwater, and where is it typically found?

Groundwater is water that exists underground in saturated zones beneath the land surface, typically found in rock and soil pore spaces and fractures of rock formations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between infiltration and groundwater recharge?

Infiltration is a process that can lead to groundwater recharge, as water infiltrating the soil can eventually reach the groundwater layer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the water table, and what is its relationship to groundwater?

The water table is the upper surface of the saturated zone, and it marks the top of the groundwater layer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between interflow and baseflow?

Interflow is the relatively rapid flow of water towards a stream channel that occurs below the surface, while baseflow is the flow of water that percolates to the groundwater layer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of macropores in promoting interflow in the hydrological cycle?

Macropores, such as those left behind by plant roots, can facilitate interflow by allowing rapid water flow towards stream channels. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hydrological Cycle

The journey of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface involves five key stages: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff of water molecules.
The sun's energy drives the hydrological cycle, converting water from liquid to gas and back again.
The main reservoirs of water in the cycle are the oceans, atmosphere, land, and living organisms.

Importance of the Hydrological Cycle

The cycle affects climate, weather, ecosystems, and human activity.
The hydrological cycle is a biogeochemical cycle, linking water with carbon, nitrogen, and other elements.

Water Cycle Processes

Interception occurs when precipitation is caught by leaves, branches, and plants, preventing it from reaching the soil.

Storage and Infiltration

Depression storage refers to the collection of precipitation in low-lying areas, such as wetlands, ponds, and rooftop storage, which is then removed through infiltration or evaporation.
Infiltration is the process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil, involving the flow of water from above ground into the subsurface.
Percolation is the movement of water through the soil itself.

Surface and Subsurface Water Flow

Surface runoff occurs when excess precipitation water flows over the land surface, unable to infiltrate the soil.
Interflow, also known as subsurface runoff, is the relatively rapid flow of water towards a stream channel that occurs below the surface, slower than surface runoff.
Interflow is caused by water flow through macropores left behind by plant roots or by sudden changes in soil permeability at a soil horizon.

Groundwater

Groundwater is the water that exists underground in saturated zones beneath the land surface.
The upper surface of the saturated zone is called the water table.
Groundwater is stored in rock and soil pore spaces, and in fractures of rock formations.
Underground water bodies, such as aquifers, are generally stagnant.
Baseflow is where infiltrated water percolates to the groundwater layer.

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Description

Explore the journey of water on, above and below the Earth's surface, involving evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Learn how the sun's energy drives this cycle, affecting climate, weather, ecosystems, and human activity.