The liquid that allows life on Earth to exist.Water changes our world and practically every aspect of our existence as it cycles from the air to the land to the sea and back to the air again, repeating the cycle.
Water cycle
The continuous movement of water all around the Earth, driven by the Sun's energy.
Significance of the Water Cycle
It allocates water to different places, regulates the weather, and cleans the water giving us fresh water that we may consume.
Importance of Understanding the Water Cycle
Allows us to prepare and adapt to its process, observe its pattern which is useful for forecasts of meteorologists and to form strategies to manage our water resources.
Processes of Water Cycle
Evaporation
Condensation
Precipitation
Sublimation
Deposition
Infiltration
Percolation
Runoff
Transpiration
Evapotranspiration
Canopy Interception
Advection
Evaporation
The process of liquid turning into a gas, this gas is called water vapor. This occurs because of heat that makes the water molecules move faster and faster, so fast that they eventually escape as gas.
Evapotranspiration
The process of water evaporating through the leaves of plants.
Evaporation - When water evaporates from the oceans, the salt remains behind as it is denser and heavier than water vapor. This is why the water that evaporates from the oceans and forms clouds is not salty.
Factors Affecting Evaporation
Temperature
Surface area
Humidity
Wind speed
Condensation
When the water vapor that has risen into the sky comes into touch with the colder air found up above, it dramatically cools. These vapors condense as a cloud, which is carried by air currents and winds as they move around the globe.
Formation of clouds and fog
Condensation occurs when water vapor in the air cools down and transitions back into liquid form. This process requires specific conditions to take place.
Types of Condensation
Clouds
Fog and mist
Frost
Role of Temperature and Humidity in Condensation
Temperature has the role of transporting and changing the water vapors.Humidity, which represents the amount of water vapor in the air, also influences condensation.
Precipitation
Any liquid or frozen water that forms in the atmosphere and falls back to the earth. It takes several forms, including rain, sleet, and snow.
Rainfall explanation
When the temperature is above freezing point (0 degrees Celsius), water vapors in the air will condense and form water droplets. However, this condensation process requires the presence of dust particles or other impurities as nuclei for the droplets to form around.
Snowfall explanation
In very cold temperatures or under extremely low air pressure, the water droplets freeze and descend as snowflakes or hailstones.
Types of Precipitation
Rain
Snow
Sleet
Hail
Factors Influencing Precipitation Patterns
Prevailing winds, the presence of mountains, and seasons.
Sublimation
The process of a solid (especially snow or ice) turning into a gas (water vapor) without becoming liquid. It usually occurs as a result of dry winds and low humidity.
Deposition
The exact opposite of sublimation where gas turns into solid directly.
Runoff
The water, being on the ground, is being pulled to its resting point where some of it is compiled into a body of water until it reaches the ocean.
Pathways of Runoff
Streams - When it rains, the water that does not soak into the ground or being absorbed by plants begins to flow across the land surface. This extra water collects and forms little channels known as rills, which eventually connect to form bigger channels known as streams.
Infiltration
When rainwater seeps into the ground, it undergoes infiltration, with the absorption level depending on the type of material it permeates.
Percolation
The process of water moving downward through soil or porous materials. It involves water seeping through the spaces between soil particles.
Importance of Infiltration and Percolation in Groundwater Recharge
Vital processes for groundwater recharge, providing a constant supply of water for a variety of uses.
Transpiration
The process by which water evaporates into the atmosphere through plants. Plants absorbwater and nutrients from the underground through their roots, and some of this water is then released through specialized structures called stomata, located on the underside of the leaves.
Influence of Environmental Factors on Transpiration Rates
Temperature
Humidity
Light Intensity
Soil Moisture
Impact of Human Activities on the Water Cycle
Humans have a great impact on the water cycle, but sadly mostly not great impacts activities like damming rivers for hydroelectricity, using water for farming, deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels disrupt the water cycle.
Effects of Climate Change on the Water Cycle
Increased Evaporation
Changes in Precipitation Patterns
Melting Glaciers and Ice Caps
Increased Water Stress
Water is essential for all forms of life and plays a vital role in sustaining life on Earth.
The water cycle, or hydrologic cycle, is the continuous movement of water on Earth through processes like evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, percolation, transpiration, and runoff.
Importance of Ongoing Research and Understanding of the Water Cycle
Ongoing research on the water cycle helps in managing water resources effectively, improving climate prediction and weather forecasting, assessing the impact of changing precipitation patterns and temperature on ecosystems, identifying sources of pollution and developing strategies for water quality management, and informing strategies for optimizing water use in agriculture, industry, and households.
Encouragement For Individual and Collective Actions to Protect and Conserve Water Resources
Raise awareness and provide education about the importance of water conservation and the consequences of water scarcity
Implement policies and regulations that promote water-saving practices and technologies
Offer economic incentives such as pricing structures and subsidies to motivate water conservation
Engage communities through programs and events that encourage active participation in water conservation efforts
Embrace technological advancements that enable efficient water use and conservation
Factors Affecting Evaporation
Temperature - the higher the temperature the higher the evaporation is.
Factors Affecting Evaporation
Surface area - the flatter the surface area (increases), the higher the evaporation is.
Factors Affecting Evaporation
Humidity - The higher the humidity the higher the evaporation rate.
Factors Affecting Evaporation
Wind speed - This is when the wind speed increases, the rate of evaporation also increases.
Rain
Rain is the most frequently observed type of precipitation. Raindrops that exceed 0.02 inches or 0.5 mm in diameter are commonly recognized as raindrops.
Snow
Snow is a form of precipitation that descends from the atmosphere as tiny ice crystals. These snow crystals typically exhibit a branched and star-like structure with six distinct points. They are created when water vapor in the clouds freezes and subsequently falls to the ground.
Sleet
Sleet is a form of precipitation that consists of frozen raindrops or snowflakes that have undergone a process of refreezing after reaching the ground.