GL 107 Earth Systems Science

K. Hannula

Discussion questions for 10/17/07

1. How do geologists use the term "reservoir"?

2.  Which reservoir contains the greatest proportion of water on earth?  Which reservoir contains the greatest proportion of fresh liquid water?

3.  Define the following terms:

• gradient

• discharge

• headwaters

• mouth

• base level

4.  How does discharge typically change down the length of a river?

5.  What are the differences between bed load, suspended load, and dissolved load of a stream?

6.  What determines the maximum size of particles a river can carry?

7.  What determines the maximum amount of sediment (maximum load) a stream can carry?