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The Water Cycle

The water cycle, or hydrological cycle, is the continuous movement of water through evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff, essential for life and climate regulation. Human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and pollution can disrupt this natural cycle. Understanding the water cycle is crucial for maintaining ecosystem balance and managing freshwater resources.

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16 views2 pages

The Water Cycle

The water cycle, or hydrological cycle, is the continuous movement of water through evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, and runoff, essential for life and climate regulation. Human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and pollution can disrupt this natural cycle. Understanding the water cycle is crucial for maintaining ecosystem balance and managing freshwater resources.

Uploaded by

qki2philip
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Topic: The Water Cycle

Course: Environmental Science 101


Date: 08/26/2025

1. Introduction
The water cycle, also called the hydrological cycle, describes the continuous
movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. It is essential
for sustaining life, regulating climate, and shaping ecosystems.

2. Stages of the Water Cycle

A. Evaporation

Process by which liquid water is converted into water vapor.

Driven primarily by solar energy.

Examples: Water from oceans, lakes, and rivers turning into vapor.

B. Transpiration

Evaporation of water from plant leaves.

Often combined with evaporation and called evapotranspiration.

C. Condensation

Process by which water vapor cools and changes into liquid droplets.

Leads to cloud formation.

Example: Dew forming on grass in the morning.

D. Precipitation

Water falls back to Earth in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Depends on temperature and atmospheric conditions.

E. Infiltration and Percolation

Water soaks into the soil (infiltration) and moves deeper through soil and rock
layers (percolation).

Recharges groundwater aquifers.

F. Runoff

Water flows over land into rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Can cause erosion and transport nutrients or pollutants.

3. Importance of the Water Cycle

Provides freshwater for drinking, agriculture, and industry.

Regulates temperature and climate.

Supports aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.


Maintains the balance of global water distribution.

4. Human Impact on the Water Cycle

Deforestation → reduces transpiration, alters precipitation patterns.

Urbanization → increases runoff, reduces infiltration.

Pollution → contaminates surface and groundwater.

Climate change → alters evaporation and precipitation patterns, affecting droughts


and floods.

5. Diagram Description (Text-Based)

Sun at the top provides energy for evaporation.

Arrows showing water moving from ocean to atmosphere (evaporation).

Clouds forming (condensation).

Arrows from clouds to land as rain or snow (precipitation).

Water infiltrating into soil or running off into rivers.

Plants absorbing water and releasing it via transpiration.

6. Summary

The water cycle is a continuous process that moves water through the environment.

Main processes: evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation,


infiltration, runoff.

Essential for life, climate regulation, and ecosystem balance.

Human activity can disrupt the natural water cycle.

7. Key Terms

Evaporation: Liquid → gas due to heat.

Transpiration: Water loss from plants.

Condensation: Gas → liquid.

Precipitation: Water falling from atmosphere.

Runoff: Water moving over land.

Infiltration: Water soaking into soil.

Aquifer: Underground layer of water-bearing rock.

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