Which of the following is an accurate description of characteristics of the water cycle in an urban area? A Increased infiltration, increased precipitation, increased baseflow - AQA - A-Level Geography - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 2

In urban areas, the water cycle is significantly altered due to human activities and infrastructure. One key characteristic is decreased infiltration. This occurs because urban surfaces, like concrete and asphalt, are impermeable, preventing water from soaking into the ground.

Additionally, increased surface runoff is observed. As precipitation falls on impermeable surfaces, it flows over them rather than being absorbed, leading to a quick increase in runoff into drainage systems.

Lastly, reduced throughflow happens because the presence of barriers and altered drainage patterns disrupt the natural flow of water through soil layers, limiting the amount of water that can flow laterally below the surface. Thus, option C accurately reflects these changes in the water cycle in an urban context.