4.1 Water Systems

Flashcards covering key concepts from the hydrological cycle, properties of water, and human impacts on water systems.

Most of the water on Earth is found in the __ (96.5%) and therefore there is very little water that is immediately usable by humans.

Oceans

Plants move water through their systems by a process called __.

Transpiration

The transformation when water turns from a gas to a liquid state is called __.

Condensation

The transformation when water turns from a liquid to a gas is called __.

Evaporation

Any movement of water like this is called __.

Streamflow

If water doesn't enter soil and flows over the surface, then it is called __.

Surface runoff

The underground movement of water is called __.

Groundwater flow

The hydrological cycle shows how water moves between different __ and flows.

Stores

Both the increased coverage of land by impermeable surfaces through urbanization and farming practices can lead to an increased risk of __.

Flooding

Trees and shrubs result in a slowing of water as it reaches the ground. This is called __.

Interception

Water is composed of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms and is a __ molecule due to its structure.

Polar

Water's cohesive properties mean the water molecules stick to each other, giving water a __.

Surface tension

The coldest water is actually just below the ice and deeper waters are __ (their temperature just hasn't changed much all year).

Warmer

Carbon dioxide reacts with water to form __ (H2CO3).

Carbonic acid

In the ocean, salinity is a very important component of major ocean __ patterns.

Mixing

The process where nutrient rich deep ocean water replaces surface water is called __.

Upwelling

As water moves north in the Atlantic, evaporation leads to the water becoming more __ and thus heavier and more dense.

Saline

Water bodies can be more or less __, affecting light availability for photosynthesis.

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