Glossary Terms- Hydrosphere & Atmosphere

Aquifer

• The interconnected system of water in the atmosphere and lithosphere, including the oceans, ice caps, rivers and groundwater.

• a water bearing layer of the earth’s crust.

• An area from which a river system or lake derives its water.

Catchment

• The total amount of water available in an area; its inflows and outflows.

• Water that flows over the surface of the land.

• An area from which a river system or lake derives its water.

Hydrosphere

• The interconnected system of water in the atmosphere and lithosphere, including the oceans, ice caps, rivers and groundwater.

• Water that flows over the surface of the land.

• The downward movement of water into the soil or rock.

Groundwater

• The upper surface of the zone of saturation in permeable rock, sand or soil.

• Water that has seeped into the ground and is contained within the soil or rock layer.

• The upper surface of the zone of saturation in permeable rock, sand or soil.

Infiltration

• An area from which a river system or lake derives its water.

• The downward movement of water into the soil or rock.

• Water that flows over the surface of the land.

Irrigation

• Water that has seeped into the ground and is contained within the soil or rock layer.

• The total amount of water available in an area; its inflows and outflows.

• The supply of water to arable farming land by artificial means.

Water budget

• The supply of water to arable farming land by artificial means.

• The upper surface of the zone of saturation in permeable rock, sand or soil.

• The total amount of water available in an area; its inflows and outflows.

Evapotranspiration

• The processes of evaporation and transpiration.

• The solar radiation that reaches the Earth's surface.

• The process is of evaporation and transpiration.

Run-off

• a water bearing layer of the earth’s crust.

• An area from which a river system or lake derives its water.

• Water that flows over the surface of the land.

Water Table

• The downward movement of water into the soil or rock.

• The upper surface of the zone of saturation in permeable rock, sand or soil.

• Water that flows over the surface of the land.