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Questions and Answers
What is the primary factor that leads to runoff when the rate of precipitation exceeds a certain threshold?
What is the primary factor that leads to runoff when the rate of precipitation exceeds a certain threshold?
Which process describes the movement of water through the soil and rock layers after it has infiltrated?
Which process describes the movement of water through the soil and rock layers after it has infiltrated?
What does the water table represent in the context of groundwater?
What does the water table represent in the context of groundwater?
Which of the following statements accurately describes infiltration?
Which of the following statements accurately describes infiltration?
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How is groundwater significant in the hydrological cycle?
How is groundwater significant in the hydrological cycle?
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What process involves the transition of water from its gas phase to its liquid or solid phase in the atmosphere?
What process involves the transition of water from its gas phase to its liquid or solid phase in the atmosphere?
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Which of the following best describes the term varial and is crucial for understanding groundwater flow?
Which of the following best describes the term varial and is crucial for understanding groundwater flow?
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Which aspect of surface water hydrology is primarily concerned with measuring water velocity?
Which aspect of surface water hydrology is primarily concerned with measuring water velocity?
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In watershed hydrology, which factor is NOT typically analyzed?
In watershed hydrology, which factor is NOT typically analyzed?
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What is the primary focus of the soil water section in hydrology?
What is the primary focus of the soil water section in hydrology?
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Which phenomenon describes the movement of water through soil that is not saturated?
Which phenomenon describes the movement of water through soil that is not saturated?
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Which form of hydrology focuses on the water bodies specifically associated with ice or snow?
Which form of hydrology focuses on the water bodies specifically associated with ice or snow?
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Which of the following processes plays a role in shaping landscapes through erosion and material transportation?
Which of the following processes plays a role in shaping landscapes through erosion and material transportation?
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What are the two components of evapotranspiration?
What are the two components of evapotranspiration?
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Which factor is crucial for determining when condensation occurs?
Which factor is crucial for determining when condensation occurs?
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Which process represents the falling of water from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface?
Which process represents the falling of water from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface?
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What is the role of interception in the hydrological cycle?
What is the role of interception in the hydrological cycle?
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What is the main difference between throughfall and stemflow?
What is the main difference between throughfall and stemflow?
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Which form of precipitation falls when atmospheric conditions are cold enough for water vapor to freeze?
Which form of precipitation falls when atmospheric conditions are cold enough for water vapor to freeze?
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What does net precipitation represent?
What does net precipitation represent?
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Evaporation primarily occurs due to which source of energy?
Evaporation primarily occurs due to which source of energy?
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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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Description
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.
