Changes in Magnitude of Water Stores

processes driving change

flows/transfers, global factors, local factors

flows/transfers

precipitation, interception, overland/surface flow, infiltration, throughflow, percolation, groundwater flow, evapotranspiration, condensation

global processes: climate change

ice age increased cryosphere and decreased hydrospere

global processes: clouds and precipitation

global atmospheric circulation drives formation of clouds & precipitation types

equator receives more insolation, Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone

global processes: crysopheric processes

second largest store of water is ice

any changes to magnitude impact globally

total melting of ice sheets result in 60m sea level rise, would add to hydrosphere

ice shelves further destabilised, triggering ice calving, subsequently melting

positive feedback loop

local processes: farming

ditches drain land, increasing water flow away from land

interception by vegetation prevents precipitation reaching surface

over-abstraction for irrigation removes stores

local processes: deforestation

reduces infiltration and interception

affects surface stores, natural depressions removed

roots break up soil, increasing rate of infiltration and groundwater recharge

local processes: urbanisation

impermeable surfaces, removing depression stores

also reduce infiltration

surface runoff increased, river channel stores increased

local processes: industrialisation

combustion of fossil fuels generate CO2, enhancing greenhouse effect

affects precipitation rates, intensifying fall

produces acid rain, destroying vegetation and interception rates