Podcast
Questions and Answers
What percentage of the hydrosphere is contained in freshwater?
What percentage of the hydrosphere is contained in freshwater?
What is the process called when water flows downslope along Earth's surface?
What is the process called when water flows downslope along Earth's surface?
Which of the following describes a watershed?
Which of the following describes a watershed?
What forms when streams lose speed during deposition?
What forms when streams lose speed during deposition?
Signup and view all the answers
What term is used to describe the area that is covered by excess water during a flood?
What term is used to describe the area that is covered by excess water during a flood?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following statements about alluvial fans is correct?
Which of the following statements about alluvial fans is correct?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the area where water first accumulates to supply a stream called?
What is the area where water first accumulates to supply a stream called?
Signup and view all the answers
How do natural lakes typically form?
How do natural lakes typically form?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Surface Water
- The hydrosphere is the water on and in Earth's crust.
- Oceans contain about 97 percent of the hydrosphere.
- Freshwater accounts for about 3 percent of the hydrosphere.
- The water cycle is a continuous, natural process of water movement throughout Earth's systems.
Runoff
- Runoff is water flowing downslope along Earth's surface
- Runoff can reach streams, rivers, lakes, or evaporate, or accumulate as puddles.
- Vegetation slows runoff, allowing more water to infiltrate the ground.
- The steeper the slope, the faster the water flows.
Infiltration
- Infiltration is water that enters the ground.
- Infiltration depends on spaces in soil and rock to accommodate water volume.
- Different soil types have differing pore spaces for infiltration.
Stream Systems
- Headwaters are where water accumulates to supply a stream.
- Precipitation in higher elevations forms streams.
- Streams carve pathways called channels.
- Stream banks contain the moving water.
- Tributaries are streams/rivers flowing into a larger stream/river.
- A watershed is the land area draining into a stream system.
Floods
- Floods occur when water spills over stream banks onto adjacent land.
- Floodplains are the flat areas extending from the stream's bank, covered by excess water.
- Sediment is deposited during floods, accumulating along river edges to form natural levees.
Stream Deposition
- Stream deposition occurs when water velocity decreases, causing sediment to drop out.
- Alluvial fans are fan-shaped deposits formed where water flows down steep slopes to flatter areas.
- Alluvial fans are primarily sand and gravel.
- Deltas are triangular deposits formed when a stream enters a large body of water.
Lakes
- Natural lakes are bodies of water surrounded by land.
- Lakes form in various ways, including stream flow obstruction by sediment, landslides, and glacial activity (moraine-dammed, cirque, kettle).
Eutrophication
- Eutrophication is a process where water becomes enriched with nutrients, stimulating excessive plant growth.
- Although a natural process, it can accelerate with added nutrients like fertilizers (containing nitrogen and phosphorus).
Wetlands
- Wetlands are land areas covered with water for part of the year.
- Wetlands filter pollutants, sediments, and bacteria.
- Wetlands include bogs, marshes, and swamps, each with unique soil types and plant species.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz covers key concepts related to the hydrosphere, including surface water, runoff, infiltration, and stream systems. Test your understanding of the water cycle and the dynamics of water movement on Earth. Perfect for students studying environmental science or earth science.
