Evaporation
The transformation of water from a liquid state to a vapour state
Evapotranspiration
the water vapour released from the earth’s surface and plants
Calculating Discharge
Q = A x V
Measured in cumecs
(Q is discharge, A is cross-sectional area and V is the average velocity)
Interception
the process where precipitation is captured by vegetation before reaching the ground. it plays a key role in managing runoff, as a temporary store of water
surface water
all water bodies like lakes, wetlands and rivers on the earth’s surface
ground water
the water found in the saturated zone of the soil, filling the pore spaces betweeen sediment and rock
aquifers
underground layers of water-permeable rock or unconsolidated material from which groundwater can be extracted
porosity
the amount of space between soil or rock particles, determining the water holding capacity
permeability
the ability of rock or sediment to allow water to pass through it
channel storage
the water stored in the river or stream channels
throughfall
where precipitation passes through gaps in the vegetation canopy or drips off leaves and branches, reaching the ground
stemflow
the movement of water down the stems and trunks of plants and trees
overland flow
(or surface runoff) is the flow of water that occurs when excess stormwater, meltwater or other sources flows over the grounds surface
channel flow
the movement of water within a river or stream channel, a critical aspect of fluvial geomorphology
laminar flow
layers of water sliding smoothly over each other, very rare in natural channels. seen in slow moving shallow streams
turbulent flow
chaotic, swirling currents, is more common and influences erosion and sediment transport
infiltration
the initial movement of water from the surface into the subsurface layers
percolation
the downward movement of water from the soil layers into the groundwater. Helps to recharge aquifers and maintaining groundwater levels
factors affecting percolation
permeability of soil and rock layers
gravitational force
aquifer recharge
throughflow
the horizontal movement of water through the soil layer
groundwater flow
the movement of water within aquifers, and underground layers of permeable rock
water tables
the upper limit of the zone where groundwater fills the pores in soil or rock. it is a dividing line between the saturated and unsaturated zones. it fluctuates seasonally
artesian springs
result from pressure in confined aquifers where groundwater is trapped between two impermeable layer. when the pressure is sufficient water is forced upwards, forming a spring
storm hydrographs
representations of flow rate in a stream or river in responce to a specific rainfall event.
peak discharge
the highest flow rate recorded on the hydrograph following a storm
lag time
the duration betweent he peak rainfall and peak dicharge
rising limbs
when the hydrograph shows a rapid increase in dicharge following a rainstorm. it indicates how quickly a river responds to rainfall
falling limb
shows the rate at which the river returns to its normal level
annual hydrographs
show the flow variation within a river over a year, highlighting the impact of seasonal changes on river systems
precipitation
varies from rain, snow, sleet, and hail. primary input in the hydrological cycle
antecendent moisture
the existing moisture level in the soil before a precipitation event, affecting infiltration and runoff
effect of drainage basin size
it plays a role in determining the volume of water it can collect and the time it takes for water to travel across the basin to the river. larger basins have longer lag times due to greater distance
effect of drainage basin shape
circular basins are more efficient in transferring water, lead to quicker responses. elongated basins show a more delayed response due to the varied travel times across different parts of the basin
drainage density
measure of total length of all the streams and rivers in a basin divided by the total area of the basin
high drainage density
a dense network of streams and rivers which accelerates movement of water across the surface
low drainage density
means fewer streams and rivers, causing more infiltration and less surface runoff
steep slopes
lead to faster runoff, as gravity pulls the water down more rapidly so more peak discharge and erosion
gentle slopes
means more infiltration and slower runoff meaning less flooding and erosion but also lower river levels during dry periods
abrasion/corrasion
the process where the load carried by the river acts as an abrasive force, eroding river banks and beds
solution
chemical erosion using acidic river water, from dissolved carbon dioxide, chemically interacting with soluble minerals in the rocls
cavitation
the formation and collapse of air bubbles in water, which occurs when the pressure of the water drops suddenly. forms potholes
hydraulic action
the process involves the sheer force of moving water entering cracks and joints in the river bed and banks
traction
the movement of large particles along the river bed, driven by the force of the river’s flow. the particles, often larger than 2.., include pebbles, gravel and sometimes boulders
saltation
the bouncing movement of medium sized particles, primarily sand grains due to gravity and the lifting force of water
suspension
fine material is carried within the water column. moves a large amount of sediment over long distances
sedimentation
the process where materials carried by the river are deposited due to a decrease in the energy of the river flow
point bars
develop on the inner sides of meanders where the water flow is slow, leading to the deposition of sediment
levees
formed by the deposition of the heaviest sediments during floods and grow with each flooding event. they act as natural barriers against flooding
alluvial fans
cone shaped deposits that are found at the base of mountains or steep terrains where rivers lose energy rapidly
velocity
the speed at which the water flows in a river
helicoidal flow
a complex flow pattern that resembles a corkscrew or a spiral motion. it plays a crucial role in the formation of meanders with erosion on the outer banks and deposition on the inner banks
thalweg
the deepest and fastest-flowing part of a river channel, it marks the most efficient path for water flow and shows where the maximum energy of the river is concentration and so the most significant erosion.
straight channels
less common in natural settings, with a linear course and a more uniform and less turbulent flow. they often show symmetrical cross-sectional shapes.
braided channels
a complex network of dividing and converging with variable water flow that are changing constantly
meandering channels
serpentine paths due to lateral erosion on the outer bend, where the speed of the river is greater and deposition on the inner bends. they read to floodplains, oxbow lakes and levees
pool and riffle sequences
alternating shallow and deep areas within a river channel, key for aquatic ecosystems. key for regulating flow and oxygenation of water, supporting diverse aquatic life
riffles
shallow, rapid water over coarse substrate, form due to the accumulation of larger sediment particlesp
pools
deeper and with slower moving water, where finner materials settle
waterfalls and gorges
when a river encounters a resistant rock strata overlaying softer rocks. erosion undercuts the harder rock, leaving a vertical drop. can lead to gorge development, eith deep valleys and steel rocky walls
floodplains
extensive flat lands adjacent to rivers, shaped by flood waters. over time floodwaters deposit alluvium, creating fertile plains.
deltas
the slowing of river velocity upon meeting a larger body of water causes sediment to settle out.
deforestation on hydrological cycle
leads to significant decrease in interception capacity, and so more runoff as well as leading to more soil compaction, decreasing the soil’s infiltration capacity, accelerating soil erosion and recuding groundwater recharge
afforestation on hydrological cycle
newly planted trees improve soil structure, reducing severity of floods and moderating river flows by allowing continuous water supply
urbanisation on hydrological cycle
impervious surfaces prevent infiltration leading to greater surface runoff anf urban flooding. also the alteration of natural watercourses to allow for urban development.
water abstraction
lowers the water table causing reduced flow in springs and wetlands. also can reduce river flow which can reduce water quality by concentration pollutants
water storage
reservoirs and dams, store water and affect the natural flow of rivers such as timing and magnitude
social concequences of flooding
displacement and relocation
heath risks from contaminated water
economic consequences of flooding
infrastructure damage
agricultural losses
environmental consequences of flooding
ecosystem distribution
soil erosion
dams
to control river flow and prevent floods and can have hydroelectric power but can lead to displacement of communities, and affect river ecology by allowing sediment to build up
channel straightening
altering river flow by straightening channels, allowing water to flow more quickly through cities but can increase downstream flooding
manmade levees
embankments formed on riverbanks to protect adjacent land from flooding