The Hydrologic Cycle - ANSWER water evaporates from moist surfaces, falls as rain
or snow, passes through living organisms and returns to the oceans.
Three principal factors control global water deficits and surpluses: - ANSWER o Global at-
mospheric circulation
o Proximity to water sources
o Topography
Rain Shadow effect - ANSWER cool, dry air descends from the mountaintop down the
other side of the mountain ----creating dry areas with very little precipitation. EX, a moun-
tain in Hawaii rain on the east side of the mountain is > 20 times that on the west side
Role of oceans as a water source - ANSWER holds 97% of the total water on the planet
and produces over half of the world's oxygen and absorbs 50 times more carbon dioxide
than our atmosphere
Where water is found - ANSWER o Glaciers
o Groundwater
Infiltration - ANSWER process of water percolating through the soil and into fractures and
permeable rocks
Zone of aeration - ANSWER upper soil layers that hold both air and water
Zone of saturation - ANSWER lower soil layers where all spaces are filled with water
1
or snow, passes through living organisms and returns to the oceans.
Three principal factors control global water deficits and surpluses: - ANSWER o Global at-
mospheric circulation
o Proximity to water sources
o Topography
Rain Shadow effect - ANSWER cool, dry air descends from the mountaintop down the
other side of the mountain ----creating dry areas with very little precipitation. EX, a moun-
tain in Hawaii rain on the east side of the mountain is > 20 times that on the west side
Role of oceans as a water source - ANSWER holds 97% of the total water on the planet
and produces over half of the world's oxygen and absorbs 50 times more carbon dioxide
than our atmosphere
Where water is found - ANSWER o Glaciers
o Groundwater
Infiltration - ANSWER process of water percolating through the soil and into fractures and
permeable rocks
Zone of aeration - ANSWER upper soil layers that hold both air and water
Zone of saturation - ANSWER lower soil layers where all spaces are filled with water
1
