Climate and Water Exam Review Notes

Exam Preparation Information

  • Exam Format: Objective questions (multiple choice, matching, true-false).

  • Number of Questions: Approximately 85 questions.

  • Materials Required: Bring sharpened soft-lead (#2) pencils, good eraser, and know your EAU number for scantron submission.

  • Cheat Sheet Guidelines:

    • Hand-written, on a standard sheet (8.5 x 11 inches or smaller).
    • Name at the top and must be submitted with the exam.
    • Can use both sides of the sheet, colored pencils/pens/highlighters permissible.

I. Introduction to Climate

A. Climate Defined

  • What is Climate?
    • Long-term average of weather conditions in a specific area.
  • Weather vs. Climate:
    • Weather: short-term atmospheric conditions (temperature, humidity, precipitation).
    • Climate: long-term patterns/trends in weather.

B. Climate Elements

  1. Climate Element:
    • A component that influences climate, such as temperature, humidity, and precipitation.
  2. Examples:
    • Air temperature, wind speed, humidity levels.

C. Climate Normals

  1. Climate Normal:
    • Average climatic conditions over a 30-year period.
  2. Determination:
    • Calculated using long-term meteorological data.
  3. Examples:
    • Average temperature (e.g., January average temperature).

D. Spatial Scales of Climate

  1. Microclimate:
    • Local atmosphere conditions differing from surrounding areas (e.g., shade under a tree).
  2. Regional Climate:
    • Broader climate patterns that affect larger geographical areas.

II. Global Climate Regions (Climate Zones)

A. Global-scale Controls on Surface Air Temperature

  1. Latitude:
    • Affects solar energy received; lower latitudes receive more heat.
  2. Land-Water Heating Differences:
    • Water bodies heat and cool slower than land, affecting nearby climates.
  3. Surface Ocean Currents:
    • Influence temperatures along coastlines and weather patterns.
  4. Elevation:
    • Higher altitudes are cooler due to thinning atmosphere.
  5. Cloudiness:
    • Influences temperature by blocking sunlight.
  6. Significance:
    • Latitude and elevation are among the most significant controls.

B. Global-scale Controls on Precipitation

  1. Precipitation Requirement:
    • Sufficient humidity in the air.
  2. Sufficient Humidity Determinants:
    • Temperature, air pressure, and wind patterns.
  3. Effective Lifting Mechanisms:
    • Topographical features (mountains induce orographic lift).
  4. Seasonal Shifts:
    • Global pressure and wind systems change seasonally, affecting rainfall patterns.

C. Climate Classification

  1. Purpose:
    • Organizes climate data for analysis and understanding.
  2. Primary Criteria (Köppen Classification):
    • Temperature and precipitation data.
  3. Secondary Criteria:
    • Vegetation types.
  4. Tertiary Criteria:
    • Seasonal variations and temperature ranges.

D. Global Regional Climates

  1. Climograph:
    • Graphical representation of climate data showing temperature and precipitation patterns over time.
  2. Climate Types Overview:
    • A Climate: Tropical; warm temperatures; high precipitation.
    • C Climate: Mild mid-latitude; moderate temperatures.
    • D Climate: Continental; variable temperatures.
    • E Climate: Polar; low temperatures year-round.
    • B Climate: Dry; low precipitation.

E. Regional Climates and Climate Change

  1. Future Changes:
    • Global climate patterns expected to change due to anthropogenic effects (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions).

III. The Hydrosphere

A. The Blue Marble

  1. Earth's Appearance:
    • Referred to as the Blue Marble due to water coverage.
  2. Hydrosphere Definition:
    • All water components on Earth (oceans, rivers, lakes).
  3. Water Proportion:
    • Comprises about 71% of Earth's surface.
  4. Water Locations:
    • Most water is saline; freshwater is primarily in glaciers and ice caps.

B. The Hydrologic Cycle

  1. Definition:
    • Continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and infiltration.
  2. Precipitation Distribution:
    • More precipitation occurs over oceans than land.
  3. Water Vapor Source:
    • Majority from Earth's oceans.
  4. Precipitation Outcomes:
    • Water that does not evaporate is stored in various water bodies or infiltrated into the ground.

C. Streams and Watersheds

  1. Stream Water Sources:
    • Derived from precipitation, snowmelt, and groundwater.
  2. Infiltration:
    • Process where water enters the ground.
  3. Soil Zones:
    • Unsaturated Zone: Area where pores contain air and water.
    • Saturated Zone: Area fully occupied with water.
  4. Water Table:
    • Boundary between saturated and unsaturated zones.

D. Stream Types

  1. Perennial Stream:
    • Flows year-round; located in regions with consistent rainfall.
  2. Ephemeral Stream:
    • Flows periodically, mainly in arid regions.
  3. Exotic Stream:
    • Flows through a dry region but originates in a wet area.

E. Dams and the Colorado River

  1. Purpose of Dams:
    • Water regulation, hydroelectric power generation, and flood control.
  2. Major Dams:
    • Glen Canyon Dam and Hoover Dam; built for water storage and electricity.
  3. Current State at River Mouth:
    • Highly diminished water flow due to diversion and climate change effects.

F. Groundwater Overview

  1. Freshwater Content:
    • Groundwater accounts for about 30% of Earth's freshwater.
  2. Sources of Groundwater:
    • Formed from precipitation that infiltrates soil and rock layers.

G. Groundwater Use and Abuse

  1. Groundwater Pumping:
    • Lowers the water table, affecting availability.
  2. Aquifer Definition:
    • Underground layers capable of storing significant amounts of water.