Surface Water How does rivers form Drainage Basin

Surface Water How does rivers form?

Drainage Basin n The area of land from which a stream or river collects runoff.

Stages of Stream Development n Young streams have swift flow, steep land gradients, white rapids, and water falls. n Mature streams have slow land gradients, smooth flow, and meander (broad bends) over flood plain. n Old stream have very little land gradients, sluggish flow through flat, broad flood plains that deposit sediments to form a delta.

Which stage are these?

Distribution of Earth’s Water

Ocean Water n Earth’s oceans formed from water vapor. n Water vapor was released during volcanic activity about 4 Billion years ago. n Condensed water vapor formed storm clouds and caused torrential rains to fills Earth’s Basins (low spots or oceans). The Earth is 70 % covered in water.

n Content of Ocean Water: n Gases: oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen These gases enter the ocean from the atmosphere or from animals through photosynthesis or respiration n Salts (ions): chloride, sodium, sulfate, magnesium, calcium and potassium These salts enter the ocean by rivers that empty into the ocean. The river dissolves rocks and carry the salts to the ocean

Salinity n Measure of how much salt is in the ocean n For every 1 kg or seawater contains 35 g of salt. 3. 5% of ocean water is salt.

n Movement of Ocean Water Currents: n caused by different temps of water rising and sinking n a flow of ocean water n acts as a river within the ocean n Coriolis effect: shifting of wind and currents due to Earth’s rotation

Movement of Ocean Water n Waves: n Caused by winds at the surface of the water n The stronger the wind the larger the wave n They only move up and down

n Tides: Movement of Ocean Water n caused by the gravitational interaction between the Earth and the Moon n There are 2 tides that occur daily : n High: oceans are toward or away from the moon and bulge out n Low: parts of the oceans are not toward or away from the moon

Ground Water Permeable Zone of Saturation Impermeable Ground water includes: Wells, Springs, and Geysers