Mark scheme for Test 2 Hydrology (6th April,2009)

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Mark scheme for Test 2 Hydrology (6/4/09)

1. (a)

(i)

Describe how precipitation intensity canaffect discharge in a river channel. [4]Precipitation intensity, such as high intensityrainfall occur during convectional thunderstorms,where heavy rain lead to high infiltration capacityof the soil causing large quantities of surfacerunoff and a rapid rise in river discharge.Low intensity such as light or drizzle rainfall lessinfiltration occurs thus less runoff occur lead todecrease in river discharge.

(ii)

Briefly describe the process of interceptionand give reasons why it is of importance in thehydrological system. [3]

By Muhammad Izzat Zainal (block 3)

Interception storage is a process where the precipitation water will fall onto leavesbefore it falls directly into the ground via

stemflow or throughfall.It is important inthe hydrological system because it controlsthe amount of water that reaches theground and control flooding to occurs. if toomuch water flows on the surfacewithout being intercepted by leaves,surface runoff occurs and may lead to flooding. Another reason is without vegetation covered,rainwater washed soil into stream (soilerosion) and will increase river bed thusincrease river discharge cause flooding tooccur.

(b) Using simple sketch hydrographs,explain how a change in land use in adrainage basin from woodland tourbanisation may affect river discharge.[8]Draw storm hydrograph(i)Urban land use-flashy stormhydrograph (steep rising and fallinglimbs, shorter lag time and high peakdischarge(ii)Woodland-gentle slope graph withgentle rising and falling limbs, longerlagtime and low peak discharge.

Then you describe how it has steep risingand falling limbs-run off and infiltrationrate & interception rate, permeable andimpermeable ground, time to reach thestream (lagtime) then produce peak/lowdischarge.(c) How can the abstraction (removal) andthe storage of water by humans affect flowsand stores within a drainage basin.[10]

Abstraction occurs not only directly from channel flow(irrigation, water supplies etc.) but also from groundwatersources through wells, boreholes etc. The former will affectdischarge levels whilst the latter will affect water tables,baseflow and ultimately channel flow. Storage will be seenlargely in terms of reservoirs. These increase surface storage,regulate channel flow, ironing out flood peaks etc. It alsodeprives water from the lower parts of the catchment (e.g. Nile,Colorado etc.). Evapotranspiration rates may also increase asmay groundwater supplies in part of the catchment anddecrease elsewhere. Good answers will consider theseelements in terms of changes to stores and flows.

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