Hydrologic Cycle, Ocean Currents, and Atmospheric Dynamics: Key Concepts for Environmental Science

Ocean

What is the largest reservoir in the hydrologic cycle?

Order of major water reservoirs

Ocean → Ice → Groundwater → Lakes & Rivers → Atmospheric water vapor

Evapotranspiration

Which fluxes in the hydrologic cycle involve the biosphere?

Condensation

Which hydrologic process releases heat?

Watershed

Define watershed.

Stream properties downstream

What happens to stream properties downstream?

Meanders and erosion/deposition

How do meanders affect erosion and deposition?

Unconfined aquifer

What is an unconfined aquifer?

Confined aquifer

What is a confined aquifer?

Groundwater discharge vs recharge

What happens when groundwater discharge exceeds recharge?

Human water modification

List one benefit and one consequence of human water modification.

Water quantity threat

Give an example of a water quantity threat.

Water quality threat

Give an example of a water quality threat.

Governments meeting water demands

How are governments meeting rising water demands?

Conflict over water resources

What is an example of conflict over dwindling water resources?

Socioeconomic status and water access

How does socioeconomic status affect water access?

Ocean vs other reservoirs

How is the ocean different from other reservoirs?

Surface ocean currents

What drives surface ocean currents?

Ocean gyres rotation

What direction do ocean gyres rotate in the Northern Hemisphere?

Ekman transport

Define Ekman transport.

Deep ocean circulation

What drives deep ocean circulation (thermohaline)?

Bottom water formation

How is bottom water formed in thermohaline circulation?

Thermohaline circulation duration

How long does thermohaline circulation take?

Most abundant gases in the atmosphere

List the 4 most abundant gases in the atmosphere.

Layer of atmosphere with weather

What layer of the atmosphere contains weather?

Temperature increase with height

Which layers increase in temperature with height?

UV radiation absorption

What absorbs harmful UV radiation in the atmosphere?

Evidence of early atmosphere oxygen

What evidence shows Earth's early atmosphere had little oxygen?

Relative humidity

Define relative humidity.

Temperature and Altitude Relationship

Temperature decreases as altitude increases in the troposphere due to adiabatic expansion.

Atmosphere's Support for Life

The atmosphere provides oxygen, regulates temperature, and protects from UV radiation.

Sun and Atmospheric Circulation

The Sun drives atmospheric circulation through uneven heating, leading to convection, wind, and pressure differences.

Convection in the Atmosphere

Convection is caused by hot air rising (less dense) and cold air sinking (more dense).

Coriolis Effect

The Coriolis effect is the apparent deflection of moving air or water due to Earth's rotation.

Three-Cell Model of Global Circulation

The three-cell model consists of Hadley (0°-30°), Ferrel (30°-60°), and Polar (60°-90°) cells with trade winds, westerlies, and polar easterlies.

Wind Movement and Pressure

Wind moves from high pressure to low pressure.

Global Atmospheric Convection

Global atmospheric convection is caused by the equator heating air, which rises, moves toward the poles, cools, and sinks.

Desert Locations

Deserts are commonly found at 30° latitude, where dry air descends.

Weather Definition

Weather is defined as short-term atmospheric conditions lasting days to weeks.

Climate Definition

Climate refers to long-term weather patterns over years or more.

ENSO

ENSO stands for El Niño-Southern Oscillation, which is the interaction between ocean and atmosphere in the Pacific.

Ocean Circulation and Climate

Ocean circulation affects climate by moving warm and cold water, influencing regional temperatures and precipitation.

Atmospheric Water Phase in Tropics

The phase of most atmospheric water in the tropics is vapor.

Cloud Formation

Clouds form when air lifts and cools, leading to condensation.

Surface Low-Pressure System

A surface low-pressure system consists of rising, warm, moist air with surface convergence and upper divergence.

Rising Air Mass and Humidity

A rising air mass increases relative humidity.

Permeability

Permeability is the ability of a solid (like soil or rock) to transmit fluids.

Spring Formation

A spring forms when the water table intersects with the surface.

Artesian Well

An artesian well is a well in a confined aquifer where water flows without pumping.

Sinuosity and Oxbow Lake

Sinuosity decreases when an oxbow lake forms as a meander is cut off.

Flow Velocity in Meander

Flow velocity is highest on the outside curve of a meander, which is the point of erosion.

Oxbow Lake

An oxbow lake is the feature created when a meander is cut off.

Groundwater Withdrawal Consequences

Consequences of excessive groundwater withdrawal include land subsidence, saltwater intrusion, and lowering of the water table.

Conditions for Groundwater Movement

Distant groundwater movement occurs in confined aquifers with recharge areas far away.

Water Quality Issue Example

An example of a solution that turned into a water quality issue is Bangladesh wells, which reduced bacteria exposure but introduced arsenic.

Ogallala Aquifer Over-Pumping

If the Ogallala aquifer continues to be over-pumped, it may lead to irrigation failure, legal conflicts, and land collapse.

Government Actions on Water Demand

Government actions addressing water demand include dams, aqueducts, privatization, and water laws.

Earth's Energy Balance

Earth's energy balance is best described as solar radiation in equaling infrared radiation out.

Air Movement Without Earth's Rotation

Air moves straight from high to low pressure without Earth's rotation, resulting in no Coriolis deflection.

Hot Arid Deserts Location

Hot arid deserts are usually found at 30° latitude under descending dry air.

Atmospheric Water Vapor Location

Most atmospheric water vapor is found in the tropics in vapor phase.