Federation University ENGIN5201 Surface Water Hydrology Assignment 1

This assignment solution for ENGIN5201 Surface Water Hydrology addresses two key problems. The first problem defines system science and explains why hydrology at the catchment scale is considered an open system. It emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of system science and its application to hydrology. The second problem delves into the influence of specific climate systems—the Indian Ocean Dipole, frontal systems, and subtropical ridges—on the weather patterns in Victoria, Australia. The solution provides detailed descriptions of each climate system and explains their impacts, supported by cited references. The assignment underscores the importance of understanding hydrological principles and their connection to broader environmental factors. This assignment provides a comprehensive overview of the subject matter, incorporating both theoretical concepts and practical applications related to surface water hydrology and climate interactions, highlighting their effects on regional weather patterns.

Running head: SURFACE WATER HYDROLOGY 1
Surface Water Hydrology
Name
Institution

SURFACE WATER HYDROLOGY 2
Surface Water Hydrology
Solution 1
System science is defined as an interdisciplinary field that deals with the types of systems in the
universe, the systems vary from simple to complex. It maybe nature, technology, science itself,
engineering among others. According to scientists, the universe can be described as a system of
systems. Basically, system science links formal sciences such as information theory, cybernetic,
and system theory. Most of its applications are based in social sciences, operation research and
many more.
Owing to its relationship with water, hydrology science plays a central position in the earth
system science; it is intertwined with other disciplines such as climatology, meteorology, and
geomorphology. Since water resides in the ocean, on the surface, air, and underground, the
system is considered open because water can neither be created nor destroyed in large scale
(Sivapalan, 2018).
Solution 2
Indian Ocean Dipole
It refers to the irregular oscillating of sea surface temperature. When the irregular oscillation
happens, western Indian Ocean which is the positive phase becomes warmer and then colder-the
negative phase compared to the eastern part of the ocean. The dipole has resulted to heavy
downpour in parts of victoria because of the high temperature (Saji, 2003). Indian Ocean Dipole
has other negative effects across victoria, it causes multiple cyclones which leads to dangerous
cyclones. For example cyclone Idai that ravaged East Africa killing many people and destroying

SURFACE WATER HYDROLOGY 3
aquatic plants, when the convective Indian Ocean Dipole carries dry wind, it may lead to bush
fires and drought in the affected region.
Frontal System
Frontal system is caused by the clash of opposing cold and warm air masses and as such, the
boundary where the air masses transition from warm to cold is referred as cold front or warm
front. Frontal system is classified into three; cold, warm, and occluded. The system causes heavy
rainfall across the victoria (Stuss, 1991). Moreover, the system influences the weather pattern in
the region bringing very wet, windy, and cold conditions. The effects are felt all the way to South
Africa and Botswana; the system produces heavy rainfall with strong and favorable weather in
upper air trough and snow upper in the mountains.
Sub-tropical Ridge
This the largest and most wide belt of high pressure within 300 N in the Northern Hemisphere
and 300 S in the southern Hemisphere. Sub-tropical Ridge is often characterized by calm winds,
the air flows from the center of the belt toward the lower and upper latitudes of each hemisphere,
this leads to creation of the westerly and the trade winds. When they enhance the monsoon
winds, it leads to heavy rainfall in the victoria (Chang, 2000). The belt experiences relatively
cool weather, there is favorably sun shine during the day with regular rainfall, the belt is very
conducive for tropical crops, the high pressure between the belts causes the calm winds and as
the air flows from the center of the belt toward the upper latitude, the temperature reduces as
well as pressure.

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Reference
Sivapalan, M. (2018). From engineering hydrology to Earth system science: milestones in the
transformation of hydrologic science. Hydrology & Earth System Sciences, 22(3).
Saji, N. H., & Yamagata, T. (2003). Possible impacts of Indian Ocean dipole mode events on
global climate. Climate Research, 25(2), 151-169.
Stuss, D. T. (1991). After Frontal System Damage. Awareness of deficit after brain injury:
Clinical and theoretical issues, 63.
Chang, C. P., Zhang, Y., & Li, T. (2000). Interannual and interdecadal variations of the East
Asian summer monsoon and tropical Pacific SSTs. Part I: Roles of the subtropical ridge. Journal
of Climate, 13(24), 4310-4325.