Hydrology GEG 3102 Course Topics
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What is the primary factor that leads to runoff when the rate of precipitation exceeds a certain threshold?

  • High infiltration rates in the soil
  • Increased evaporation from the soil
  • Surface tension of water on plant surfaces
  • Infiltration capacity of the soil (correct)

Which process describes the movement of water through the soil and rock layers after it has infiltrated?

  • Precipitation
  • Percolation (correct)
  • Transpiration
  • Evaporation

What does the water table represent in the context of groundwater?

  • The amount of water stored in surface water bodies
  • The depth at which soil becomes completely dry
  • The upper boundary of the saturated zone (correct)
  • The level of maximum evaporation from soil

Which of the following statements accurately describes infiltration?

<p>It is the process by which water moves from surface into the soil. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is groundwater significant in the hydrological cycle?

<p>It stores and transfers water over long periods. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What process involves the transition of water from its gas phase to its liquid or solid phase in the atmosphere?

<p>Condensation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the term varial and is crucial for understanding groundwater flow?

<p>Hydraulic conductivity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of surface water hydrology is primarily concerned with measuring water velocity?

<p>Hydrographs (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In watershed hydrology, which factor is NOT typically analyzed?

<p>Soil composition (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the soil water section in hydrology?

<p>Unsaturated flow and negative water pressure (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which phenomenon describes the movement of water through soil that is not saturated?

<p>Percolation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which form of hydrology focuses on the water bodies specifically associated with ice or snow?

<p>Nival hydrology (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes plays a role in shaping landscapes through erosion and material transportation?

<p>Chemical precipitation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two components of evapotranspiration?

<p>Evaporation and Transpiration (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is crucial for determining when condensation occurs?

<p>Dew Point (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which process represents the falling of water from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface?

<p>Precipitation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of interception in the hydrological cycle?

<p>To capture and store precipitation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between throughfall and stemflow?

<p>Throughfall passes through vegetation, whereas stemflow travels down the stems of plants. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which form of precipitation falls when atmospheric conditions are cold enough for water vapor to freeze?

<p>Snow (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does net precipitation represent?

<p>The total precipitation minus evaporation and interception losses. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Evaporation primarily occurs due to which source of energy?

<p>Sun (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Total Precipitation

The total amount of rainwater, snow, sleet, or hail that falls from the atmosphere.

Interception

The amount of precipitation captured by plant surfaces and not immediately reaching the ground.

Runoff

Water flowing over the Earth's surface, primarily from precipitation, eventually returning to rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Infiltration

The process by which water moves from the Earth's surface into the soil.

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Percolation

The downward movement of infiltrated water through soil and rock layers.

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Hydrology

The scientific study of water movement and distribution on Earth, including its atmosphere.

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The Hydrological Cycle

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below Earth's surface, including processes like evaporation, precipitation, and runoff.

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Atmospheric Water

The study of how water changes states (gas, liquid, solid) in the atmosphere and interacts with the Earth's surface.

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Surface Water

The study of how water moves and flows on the Earth's surface, including rivers, lakes, and streams.

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Groundwater

The study of water beneath the Earth's surface, including infiltration, groundwater flow, and aquifers.

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Soil Water

The study of water stored in the soil, including unsaturated flow, capillarity, and infiltration.

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Watershed Hydrology

The study of water movement and storage within a watershed, including rivers, lakes, and the surrounding land.

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Landscapes Shaping Water

The study of how water shapes the Earth's surface through processes like erosion, transport, and deposition.

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What is the Hydrological Cycle?

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below Earth's surface, driven by solar energy.

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What is Evaporation?

The process where liquid water turns into water vapor due to heat from the sun, primarily occurring on water bodies, soil, and wet surfaces.

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What is Transpiration?

The release of water vapor from plant leaves into the atmosphere, contributing to evaporation.

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What is Condensation?

The process where water vapor in the atmosphere cools and changes back into liquid water or ice, forming clouds, fog, or dew.

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What is Precipitation?

Any form of water, liquid or solid, falling from the atmosphere to the Earth’s surface, including rain, snow, sleet, drizzle, and hail.

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What is Interception?

The process of rain, snow, or other precipitation being captured and stored by vegetation (leaves, branches, stems) before reaching the ground.

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What is Throughfall?

The portion of precipitation that directly passes through the canopy and falls to the ground.

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What is Stemflow?

Water that travels down the stems, trunks, or branches of plants and reaches the ground.

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Study Notes

Hydrology GEG 3102 Course Topics

  • The course will cover the hydrological cycle including stable isotopes of water as tracers.
  • Atmospheric water transitions from gas to liquid/solid phase, including cloud formation, precipitation, evaporation, and evapotranspiration.
  • Surface water includes laminar and turbulent flow, water velocity measurement, hydrographs, and runoff.
  • Groundwater studies focus on groundwater movement, storage, infiltration, porosity, laminar flow, hydraulic conductivity, and flow systems (confined and unconfined).
  • Soil water is water present in an area without saturating the host material (sediment or rock). This includes negative water pressure, unsaturated flow, capillarity, infiltration, percolation, and preferential flow.
  • Watershed hydrology examines watersheds, streams, rivers, lakes, drainage patterns, and watershed density.
  • Landscapes shaping water involves erosion, transport, deposition, and chemical dissolution/precipitation, responsible for landscape creation and modification.
  • Environmental hydrology covers specific environments like lacustrine (lakes), nival (snow), glacial (ice), periglacial (cold), and karst (caves).

Course Evaluation

  • Lab reports account for 35% of the grade.
  • Quizzes (weeks 3, 5, 11) represent 15% of the grade.
  • A mid-term test on February 24 contributes 20%.
  • The final exam during the exam period accounts for 30%.

Hydrological Cycle

  • The hydrological cycle is the continuous movement of water in the atmosphere, on the surface, and below the surface of the Earth.
  • Energy from the sun drives this natural process, maintaining Earth's water balance.
  • Key processes include precipitation, condensation, evaporation, evapotranspiration, infiltration, runoff, and percolation.
  • Diagram showing these processes should be studied.

Key Processes in the Hydrological Cycle

  • Evapotranspiration: the combined processes of evaporation and transpiration (water vapor released from plants).
  • Condensation: the process by which water vapor in the atmosphere cools and changes back to liquid or solid.
  • Precipitation: the falling of water in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
  • Runoff: the flow of water over the Earth's surface, leading to rivers, lakes, and oceans.
  • Infiltration: water moving into the soil.
  • Throughfall: Precipitation falling directly to the ground through the canopy.
  • Stemflow: Water traveling down stems, trunks, and branches to the ground.
  • Net Precipitation: the amount of precipitation reaching the ground after accounting for interception losses

Evapotranspiration

  • Evaporation: Water changing from liquid to vapor due to solar energy.
  • Transpiration: Release of water vapor from plant leaves.

Factors Affecting Evaporation and Transpiration

  • Plant type and leaf structure (stomatal density)
  • Temperature (higher temperatures increase both)
  • Humidity (higher humidity reduces both)
  • Solar radiation (more sunlight increases both)
  • Soil moisture (dry soil reduces transpiration, while moist soil increases)
  • Wind speed (increased wind increases both)

Condensation

  • Condensation is the process by which water vapor changes to liquid water or ice.
  • Dew point: The temperature at which water vapor condenses into a liquid is a crucial factor for condensation.

Factors Influencing Condensation and Weather

  • Temperature
  • Heat waves
  • Cold fronts
  • Humidity (high or low)
  • Atmospheric pressure (high or low pressure systems)
  • Presence of particles (natural aerosols, pollutants)

Precipitation

  • Precipitation occurs when atmospheric water cools and condenses, forming water droplets/ice crystals.
  • Various forms exist - rain, snow, sleet, hail - depending on temperature and atmospheric conditions.
  • Key parts of the process (illustrated in a diagram) should be studied.

Interception

  • Interception is the process of precipitation being collected and stored by vegetation (leaves, branches, stems) before reaching the ground.
  • This water can evaporate or contribute to other processes like throughfall or stemflow.

Throughfall and Stemflow

  • Throughfall: portion of precipitation that passes directly through the canopy and reaches the ground.
  • Stemflow: water flowing down stems, trunks, or branches to the ground.

Net Precipitation

  • Net precipitation is the total amount of precipitation that reaches the Earth's surface after losses due to interception, evaporation, and transpiration.

Runoff

  • Runoff is the flow of water over the Earth's surface, leading to rivers, lakes, and oceans.
  • It occurs when the rate of precipitation exceeds the infiltration capacity of the soil.

Infiltration

  • Infiltration is the process by which water moves from the Earth's surface into the soil.
  • This process depends on soil type, soil texture, rainfall intensity, duration, rainfall amount, and canopy cover.

Percolation

  • Percolation refers to the downward movement of water through soil and rock layers after infiltration.
  • Water moves past the root zone towards groundwater aquifers.

Water Table

  • The water table represents the upper surface of the saturated zone of groundwater.
  • It marks the level at which all pore spaces in the soil are filled with water.

Factors Influencing Water Table Levels

  • Soil and rock characteristics
  • Topography
  • Precipitation
  • Groundwater extraction

Groundwater

  • Groundwater is the water beneath the Earth's surface, stored in soil and rock.
  • It is critical in the hydrological cycle because it stores and transports water over long periods.
  • Groundwater is vital for drinking, agricultural, and industrial use.

Textbook & Contact Information

  • Textbook information (author, title, edition).
  • Email address for the instructor.

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This quiz covers key concepts in the Hydrology GEG 3102 course. Students will explore the hydrological cycle, surface and groundwater dynamics, soil water behavior, and watershed hydrology. This comprehensive overview is essential for understanding the interactions between water and landscapes.

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