Republic of the Philippines

PALAWAN STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Community Resource and Development
Quezon Campus

LEARNING MODULE IN GE-ELECT: ES

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

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 MODULE 3
HYDROLOGY AND ATMOSPHERE

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Prepared by:

EMMA C. PESITO
Instructor

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OVERVIEW

Hydrology is the study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water,

hydrologic cycle, water resources and environmental water sustainability. It is simply
denoted as the study of water.

Water is often referred to as the basis of life. It is composed of two atoms of

Hydrogen and an atom of Oxygen. It is one of the most abundant compounds on earth.
There are about 1.4 billion cubic kilometers of water. It makes up the biggest amount of
liquid on earth’s surface reaching up to 336 miles. Almost 97% of water are in the
oceans, just over 3% is found as fresh water, this can be found in water system like
lakes, streams groundwater, and at the atmosphere. Earth’s water source is a reusable
supply that is continuously being redistributed over the earth.

We live at the bottom of an invisible ocean called the atmosphere, a layer of

gases surrounding our planet. Nitrogen and oxygen account for 99 percent of the gases
in dry air, with argon, carbon dioxide, helium, neon, and other gases making up minute
portions. Water vapor and dust are also part of Earth's atmosphere.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

 Explain hydrology;

 Define properties of water;

 Discuss the kinds and types of water;

 Explain the hydrologic cycle; and

 Appreciate the importance of water in our daily life.

 Explain the earth’s atmosphere;

 Define meteorology

 Explain the structure of the earth’s atmosphere;

 Discuss the difference between weather and climate; and appreciate the
roles of clouds in our daily life.

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Lesson 1: Essentials of Water

1. Metabolism- it aids in the metabolism of animals;

2. Photosynthesis-it helps in the metabolism of plants;

3. Lubrication- it aids to make a friction less surface;

4. Transport of substances- it acts as medium for transport and for chemical

activities within the cell;

5. Transport of heat- it has the capability to absorb the heat;

6. Support- it assists humans, animals and plants in the daily life services.

7. Temperature control- water helps the control and regulation of temperature.

Physical Properties of Water

1. At an ordinary temperature, pure water is transparent, colorless, odorless

and tasteless liquid.

2. Under normal atmosphere pressure, water freezes at 0⁰C or 212⁰F.

3. It is commonly called a universal solvent because it dissolves so many

different substances.

4. Water makes up 60-70% of the human body about 40liters of which 25L
are inside the cells and 15L are outside in tissue fluid and blood plasma.

5. Humans lose about 15L of water per day through breathing, perspiration
and feces.

6. A person can live for over a month without food, but only a week without
water.

Table 1. Most abundant element and compound in sea water

ELEMENT COMPOUND

1. Oxygen (O2) 1. Sodium Chloride (NaCl)

2. Hydrogen (H2) 2. Magnesium Chloride (MgCl2)

3. Chlorine (Cl2) 3. Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4)

4. Magnesium (Mg) 4. Calcium Sulfate (CaSO4)

5. Sulfur (S) 5. Potassium Chloride (KCl)

6. Calcium (Ca) 6. Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)

7. Potassium (K) 7. Potassium Bromide (KBr)

8. Bromine (Br2)

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Kinds of Water

1. Surface water is water on the surface of the Earth such as river, lake and streams.

2. Groundwater is the water present beneath Earth's surface in soil pore spaces and in
the fractures of rock formations. A unit of rock or an unconsolidated deposit is called an
aquifer when it can yield a usable quantity of water.

3. Marine water is a body of water that composes much of a planet's hydrosphere.

Examples: ocean, seas.

Table 2. Different Types of water

TYPES OF
DEFINITION
WATER

Water from a well that taps an aquifer--

1. Artesian layers of porous rock, sand and earth that contain water
which is under pressure from surrounding upper layers of rock or clay.

Fluoridated water contains fluoride at a level that is effective for preventing

2. Fluoridated
cavities; this can occur naturally or by adding fluoride.

Water from a mineral spring that contains various minerals, such as salts and
3. Mineral
sulfur compounds.

Water that has been mechanically filtered or processed to remove impurities

4. Purified
and make it suitable for use.

Water containing dissolved carbon dioxide gas, either artificially injected

5. Sparkling under pressure or occurring due to natural geological processes. It
is also known as “carbonated water”

Spring water refers to water collected directly from an underground spring

6. Spring
that rises to the surface.

Also known as “sterilized water”. It is a fluid used for irrigation in medical proce
7. Sterile dures. It doesn’t have any contaminants or pollutants and is safe for use in all
medical situations.

8. Well Well Water Comes Straight from the Ground which is untreated.

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Hydrologic cycle

The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle or the hydrological cycle,
describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the
Earth.

1. Evaporation is the process of transformation of water from liquid to gas by means of

solar radiation as it moves from the ground or bodies of water into the atmosphere.

2. Sublimation is the phase change from solid to gas; it is the state change from solid
water to water vapor which occurs at the glaciers.

3. Transpiration is the release of water vapor from plants and soil into the air.

4. Condensation is the process of transformation of water vapor to liquid water droplets

in the air which creates clouds and fogs.

5. Advection is the process that moves water, regardless of its state, throughout the
atmosphere. It serves evaporated water over the oceans to be precipitated over land.

6. Precipitation is the process of transformation of water which the condensed water

vapor falls to the earth's surface. it might be in the form of rain, snow, hail or fog.

Figure 1: Hydrologic cycle

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Importance of water

Water is the basic necessity for the functioning of all life forms that exist on earth.
It is safe to say that water is the reason behind earth being the only planet to support
life. This universal solvent is one of the major resources we have on this planet. It is
impossible for life to function without water. After all, it makes for almost 70% of the
earth.

However, despite its vast abundance, water is very much limited. It is a non-
renewable resource. In addition, we need to realize the fact that although there is an
abundance of water, not all of it is safe to consume. We derive some very essential
uses from the water on a daily basis.

If we talk about our personal lives, water is the foundation of our existence. The
human body needs water for the day to day survival. We may be able to survive without
any food for a whole week but without water, we won’t even survive for 3 days.

Thus, the lack of sufficient water or consumption of contaminated water can

cause serious health problems for humans. Therefore, the amount and quality of water
which we consume is essential for our physical health plus fitness.

Further, our daily activities are incomplete without water. Whether we talk about
getting up in the morning to brush or cooking our food, it is equally important. This
domestic use of water makes us very dependent on this transparent chemical.

In addition, on a large scale, the industries consume a lot of water. They need
water for almost every step of their process. It essential for the production of the goods
we use every day.

If we look beyond human uses, we will realize how water plays a major role in
every living beings life. It is the home of aquatic animals. From a tiny insect to a whale,
every organism needs water to survive.

Therefore, we see how not only human beings but plants and animals too require
water. The earth depends on water to function. We cannot be selfish and use it up for
our uses without caring about the environment.

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Lesson 2: Atmosphere

Atmosphere is a thin gaseous layer that surrounds the earth. It is composed of

71% Nitrogen, 28% Oxygen, and 1% water vapor, argon and carbon dioxide and other
gases. The atmosphere also contains Helium, Neon, Methane and Nitrous oxide gases
in trace amounts. Ozone is one of the very important trace gases which absorb harmful
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Clouds of liquid water in ice crystals are also part
of the atmosphere.

Nitrogen is still the most abundant gas in the atmosphere, being a non-reactive
element and undergoes a natural cycle with bacteria and soil as well as nitrogen in
plants and animals.

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Figure 1: Earth’s Atmosphere

Meteorology

Define as the science of the atmosphere and its weather conditions. The
interrelation of the atmosphere, land and ocean, makes meteorology an inter-
disciplinary science. It is the scientific study of the atmosphere that focuses on weather
processes and forecasting.

History

Earth was formed around 4.54 billion years ago, approximately one-third the age
of the universe, by accretion from the solar nebula. A nebula is a giant cloud of dust and
gas in space. Some nebulae come from the gas and dust thrown out by the explosion of
a dying star.

A supernova is a large explosion that takes place at the end of a star's life cycle.

A satellite is an object that has been intentionally placed into orbit.

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Composition of the atmosphere

The earth’s atmosphere extends outward to about 1,000 kilometers where it

transitions to interplanetary space where its upper limit becomes thinner and thinner,
then eventually merging within the empty space. Almost 99% of the mass of the
atmosphere is located within the first 40 kilometers.

1. Troposphere- came from the greek word tropein, meaning to turn or to

change. It is the closest to the earth's surface, this layer also contains over 90%
of the total water vapor of the atmosphere. All weather phenomena occur in the
troposphere (8-16 kilometers from the earth's surface).

2. Stratosphere- came from the greek word stratum, meaning covering layer, the
amount of water vapor in this layer is very low. This layer contains the ozone
layer. Stratopause is the boundary of the stratosphere (12-50 kilometers above
the earth's surface).

3. Mesosphere-came from the Greek word meso meaning middle. It is the

coldest layer where ice cloud occurs and meteors (shooting stars) burn up.
Mesopause is the boundary between the mesosphere and the thermosphere.

4. Thermosphere- came from the greek word therme meaning heat, it is a thin
hot layer above the mesosphere. It is the part where oxygen molecules absorb
solar rays which warm the air.

5. Exosphere- Is the outermost layer of the Earth's atmosphere.

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Figure 2: Composition of the atmosphere

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Weather and Climate

Weather is caused by the movement or transfer of heat energy, which influence

the following physical properties: Temperature, air pressure, humidity and precipitation.

Climate describes the total of al l-weather occurring over a period of year in a

given place; it is a long term weather condition of a region.

Elements of Weather

The following are the primary conditions of the atmosphere as it influence and controls
weather:

1. Air Mass is a large body of air that has similar temperature and moisture content.

2. Wind is the horizontal movement of air masses from high pressure areas to low
pressure areas. Air currents are vertical air motions.

3. Air pressure weight of air resting on the earth's surface. Air pressure decreases with
altitude. Low pressure usually produces cloudy and stormy weather. High pressure is
usually associated with fair weather.

4. Temperature is the measure of hotness or coldness of a substance.

5. Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere.

6. Precipitation is the term given to moisture that falls from the air to the ground. it
includes snow, hail, sleet, drizzle, fog, mist and rain.

Clouds

Clouds are one of the most very interesting features of weather. These are
composed of droplets or frozen ice crystals that hover above the Earth’s atmosphere. It
occur at any level of the atmosphere whenever there is sufficient moisture to allow
condensation to take place. It comes in a different shapes and size.

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Figure 3: Types of Clouds

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 Clouds are classified based on the system of their latin names which best
described their appearance as seen by an observer in the ground. Cumulus means
heap, stratus means layer, cirrus mean curl and nimbus means rain.

High-level clouds

High level clouds occur above about 20,000 feet and are given the prefix “cirro”.
The clouds are primarily composed of ice crystals due to its cold tropospheric
temperatures at these levels, and often appear thin, striated and white. These clouds
tend to develop at or just above the upper part of the troposphere.

Cirrus clouds are thin fluffy and composed entirely of ice crystals. They normally are
the main indication of forthcoming warm front or upper-level jet streak.

Cirrostratus clouds form more of a widespread, veil-like layer. Cirrus clouds tend to
thicken into cirrostratus, which may thicken and lower into altostratus, stratus and even
nimbostratus.

Cirrocumulus clouds are layered clouds permeated with small cumuliform lumpiness.
They may also line up in streets or rows of clouds across the sky denoting localized
areas of ascent and descent channels.

Mid-level clouds

These are clouds that appear between 6,500-20,000 feet. These clouds may be
composed of liquid water droplets, ice crystals, or a combination of the two, including
super cooled droplets, depending on the altitude, time of year, and vertical temperature
structure of the troposphere. They have apparent speeds lower level clouds.

Altostratus clouds are “Strato” type clouds that possess a flat and uniform type
texture in the mid-levels. These type of clouds do not produce significant precipitation at
the surface, sprinkles or light showers may occur from a thick stratus deck. They
frequently indicate the approach of a warm front and may thicken and lower into stratus,
and then nimbostratus might result in rain or snow.

Altocumulus clouds are small, white, puffy clouds that sometimes slowly drift
across the sky, it is like dozens of cotton balls. It forms from 8,000-18,000 feet, it aligns
in rows or street of clouds.

Nimbostratus clouds described as a widespread light grey or white sheet of

cloud that produces persistent rain or showers. Normally, light to moderate rain is
associated with this kind of cloud.

Low-level clouds

These are clouds that occur below 6,500 feet and normally consist of liquid water
droplets or even super cooled droplets.

Stratus clouds are uniform and flat, producing a gray layer of cloud cover which
may be precipitation-free or may cause periods of drizzle. It lacks the vertical growth of
clouds which lacks contracts.

Cumulus clouds are cauliflower-shaped clouds with dark flat-bases and bright
upper part.

Stratocumulus clouds generally move faster than cumulus and are not as well
defined in appearance. They tend to expound more horizontally than vertically.
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References

Environmental Guidelines for Selected Infrastructure Projects. Asian Development Bank, 1990.

Environmental Impact Assessment: Cutting Edge for the 21stCentury. Allan Gilpin, 1995.

Fundamentals of Environmental Science, 2015.

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