CAS GE 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Artesian Aquifer, Water Cycle, Aquifer

• School: Boston University
• Department: Geography & Environment
• Course: CAS GE 100
• Professor: Robert Kaufmann

Document Summary

Droughts can occur in very extended periods. On its own could be #7 in the world for economic activity. Water is neither created nor destroyed in the hydrological cycle- tropopause blocks water from evaporating/escaping into the stratosphere (uv radiation would break) Evaporation & precipitation are the biggest flows. As water precipitates, soil filters the water. Aquifer is defined as a place where water fills all pore spaces. Ground moisture is where water and air fill the pore spaces. Watershed- area in which local precipitation flows through out of watershed through 1 or more rivers. Closest thing to a natural boundary that exists. Fresh water is mostly unavailable (2. 6% freshwater; 1% available) Seasons also make it unavailable (seasonal discharge) Inter-annual variability- precipitation can vary on a year-to-year basis, affecting supply of fresh water. Higher on west coast (socal has highest) Dams slow flow of water through a river create a reservoir which increases supply of water.