River Environments

Page 1

The Hydrological Cycle

Closed System - There is a fixed amount of water in the Cycle.

STORES:

The Atmosphere

Stored as Water Vapour or Minute Droplets.

The Land

Rivers, Lakes, Reservoirs, Vegetation, Groundwater.

Mostly liquid, occasionally in Solid Form.

The Sea

Over 95% of Earth's water.

Mostly liquid, occasionally solid form, in glaciers.

FLOWS:

The transfer of water between stores.

Evaporation

Water converted from a liquid to a gas.

Transpiration

The liquid plants have absorbed is 'breathed' into the atmosphere as water vapour.

Condensation

Water vapour in the atmosphere cools and turns to liquid.

Precipitation

Transfer of water in any form, from the atmosphere to the land/sea.

Overland Flow

Water that hits the ground, entering a stream, river or lake. AKA, Run Off.

Infiltration

Movement of water through the soil and rock into the groundwater.

Page 2

Drainage Basins and their Features

Open System - The amount of water in the system continuously varies over time.

STRUCTURE OF DRAINAGE BASINS:

Watershed

Follows the tops of the hills.

Source

In the higher parts of the basin.