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Definition

So, what is Water first?

Water is 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.
Significance of Water
All Living Things Need Water!
Water is an essential element for sustaining
life as we know it, and wherever water exists,
life thrives. Every living organism, including
people, animals and plants, relies on water
regardless of its salinity, temperature, or
availability.
Significance of the Water Cycle
What is a Water Cycle?

Water cycle, or hydrologic cycle, is driven


by the Sun’s energy. It is the continuous
movement of water all around the Earth.
Significance of the Water Cycle
What is its importance?

The water cycle has a great impact on our


economy as it allocates water to different
places, and regulates the weather, and this
process cleans the water giving us fresh water
that we may consume.
Importance of Understanding the
Water Cycle
Understanding the water cycle allows us to
prepare and adapt to its process. We can
observe its pattern which is useful for forecasts
of meteorologists and for us to form strategies
to manage our water resources.
Water Cycle Diagram
Processes of Water Cycle
Evaporation
Runoff
Condensation Infiltration
Percolation
Precipitation
Sublimation Transpiration
Deposition
Evaporation
Definition
Evaporation is the process of
liquid turning into a gas, this gas
is called water vapor. This is the
reason why some puddles are
gone later on and why wet clothes become dry. This occurs
because of heat that makes the water molecules move faster
and faster, so fast that they eventually escape as gas.
Evaporation
Evapotranspiration

Evapotranspiration which
happens when water
evaporates through the
leaves of plants.
Evaporation
Did you know?

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.
Evaporation
Factors Affecting Evaporation
Evaporation
Factors Affecting Evaporation

Temperature - the higher the temperature the higher the


evaporation is.
Evaporation
Factors Affecting Evaporation

Surface area - the flatter


the surface area
300 mL (increases), the higher
300
mL the evaporation is.
Fast evaporation

Slow evaporation
Evaporation
Factors Affecting Evaporation
Humidity - The higher the
humidity the higher the
evaporation rate.
Evaporation
Factors Affecting Evaporation

Wind speed - This is when


the wind speed increases,
the rate of evaporation
also increases.
Condensation
Definition
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.
Condensation
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.
Condensation
Formation of clouds and fog
In the formation of clouds, fog, mist, or frost depends on the
specific circumstances.

Clouds Fog and mist Frost


Condensation
Role of Temperature and Humidity
Temperature and Humidity both play
important roles in the process of
condensation. The temperature has the role
of transporting and changing the water
vapors.
Condensation
Role of Temperature and Humidity
Humidity, which represents the amount of
water vapor in the air, also influences
condensation. It is usually represented as a
percentage, showing the ratio of the actual
moisture in the air to the maximum amount it
can contain at a given temperature.
Precipitation
Definition
Precipitation is 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.
Precipitation
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.
Precipitation
Snowfall explanation

In very cold temperatures or under extremely low air


pressure, the water droplets freeze and descend as
snowflakes or hailstones.
Precipitation
Type of Precipitation (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.
Precipitation
Type of Precipitation (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.
Precipitation
Type of Precipitation (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.
Precipitation
Type of Precipitation (Hail)
Hail is a form of precipitation that
descends from the sky as small ice balls
or pieces, each measuring at least ¼
inch (5 mm) in diameter or larger. It is
typically associated with thunderstorms
and can cause significant damage to
crops and property when the hailstones
reach a diameter of 1 inch (2.5 cm) or HAIL
more.
Precipitation
Factors Influencing Precipitation Patterns

The main factors that affect precipitation


include prevailing winds, the presence of
mountains, and seasons. Prevailing winds carry
warm, moist air or cool air over the land.
Sublimation
Definition

Sublimation is 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.
Sublimation
Occurrence in the Water Cycle
Sublimation is the process by which water
transitions directly from a solid (ice) to a gas
(water vapor) without going through the liquid
phase. It occurs when the surface of ice or snow is
exposed to dry air with low humidity and
temperature conditions below the freezing point
of water.
Deposition
Definition

Deposition is the exact


GAS SOLID
opposite of sublimation
where gas turns into solid
directly.
Runoff
Definition
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.
Runoff
Definition
When rainfall does not contribute to the
formation of aquifers, it instead follows the
force of gravity and tends to flow downhill
along the slopes of mountains and hills,
eventually converging to form rivers. This
natural process is known as runoff.
Runoff
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.
Runoff
Pathways of Runoff (Rivers)
Rivers act as natural
channels for water to flow from
higher elevations to lower
elevations. They transport runoff
water downstream, eventually
emptying into bigger bodies of
water like lakes, reservoirs, or
seas.
Runoff
Pathways of Runoff (Groundwater)
Some of the runoff water
infiltrates into the ground,
percolating through the soil
and rock layers. This water
accumulates in
underground reservoirs
called aquifers.
Runoff
Pathways of Runoff (Snowmelt)
Precipitation falls as snow
in cold climatic zones
throughout the winter. The
piled snow begins to melt as
temperatures increase,
releasing water into the
ecosystem.
Infiltration
Definition

When rainwater seeps into


the ground, it undergoes
infiltration, with the absorption
level depending on the type
of material it permeates.
Percolation
Definition
Percolation is 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
Infiltration and percolation are
vital processes for groundwater
recharge, providing a constant
supply of water for a variety of
uses. Water may penetrate the soil
through infiltration, while
percolation allows it to travel
downward through soil layers.
Infiltration Channel Management
Transpiration
Definition

Transpiration is the process


by which water evaporates
into the atmosphere through
plants.
Transpiration
Definition
During transpiration, plants absorb
water and nutrients from the
underground through their roots.
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

In general, higher temperatures increase


transpiration rates. As temperatures rise,
water molecules within plants gain energy
and evaporate faster, resulting in increased
transpiration.
Influence of Environmental Factors on
Transpiration Rates
Humidity
High humidity reduces transpiration
because the air already holds a
substantial amount of moisture,
leading to a lower concentration
gradient between the plant and the
surrounding atmosphere.
Influence of Environmental Factors on
Transpiration Rates
Light Intensity

The amount of light influences the opening


and shutting of stomata, or small holes on
plant leaves.
Influence of Environmental Factors on
Transpiration Rates
Soil Moisture

The availability of water in the soil has a


direct influence on transpiration. Plants may
limit transpiration rates to preserve water
when soil moisture is low. Plants that are
well-watered have greater transpiration rates.
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
Rising temperatures
increase evaporation
rates, resulting in more
water vapor in the
atmosphere.
Effects of Climate Change on
the Water Cycle
Changes in Precipitation Patterns
Climate change affects the distribution,
intensity, and frequency of precipitation
events, causing changes in rainfall patterns
and increasing the chance of extreme
weather events like droughts and heavy rain.
Effects of Climate Change on
the Water Cycle
Melting Glaciers and Ice Caps

Higher temperatures cause the melting of


glaciers and ice caps, contributing to rising
sea levels and altering freshwater availability
in certain regions.
Effects of Climate Change on
the Water Cycle
Increased Water Stress

Climate change worsens water shortages


in arid and semi-arid countries, harming
agriculture, ecosystems, and human water
supply.
CONCLUSION
Summary of Important Key Points
• 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.
Summary of Important Key Points
• Evaporation is the process by which water turns into vapor
and rises into the atmosphere. Factors such as
temperature, surface area, humidity, and wind speed
influence the rate of evaporation.

• Condensation occurs when water vapor cools and


transitions back into liquid form. It leads to the formation of
clouds, fog, mist, or frost depending on specific conditions.
Temperature and humidity play important roles in
condensation.
Summary of Important Key Points
• Precipitation refers to any form of liquid or frozen water that
falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface. It includes
rain, snow, sleet, and hail. Prevailing winds, mountains, and
seasons influence precipitation patterns.

• Infiltration is the process of water seeping into the ground


from the surface. Percolation is the downward movement
of water through soil or permeable rock layers. These
processes replenish groundwater and contribute to the
water cycle.
Summary of Important Key Points
• Transpiration is the release of water vapor from plants
through their leaves. It is an important part of the water
cycle as it contributes to the moisture in the atmosphere.

• Runoff is the flow of water across the Earth's surface due to


gravity. It can form rivers, streams, and eventually reaches
bodies of water like lakes and oceans. Snowmelt also
contributes to runoff.
Importance of Ongoing Research and
Understanding of the Water Cycle
Water Resource Management
Ongoing research on the water cycle helps in
managing water resources effectively by
understanding precipitation patterns, evaporation
rates, and runoff. This knowledge is crucial for
allocating water, managing reservoirs, and mitigating
drought.
Importance of Ongoing Research and
Understanding of the Water Cycle
Climate Prediction and Weather Forecasting
Understanding the water cycle improves
climate prediction and weather forecasting by
studying interactions between water vapor,
clouds, and atmospheric conditions.
Importance of Ongoing Research and
Understanding of the Water Cycle
Ecosystem Health and Biodiversity
Research on the water cycle helps assess the
impact of changing precipitation patterns and
temperature on ecosystems. It aids in
understanding ecosystem resilience to climate
change, identifying vulnerable habitats, and
developing conservation strategies.
Importance of Ongoing Research and
Understanding of the Water Cycle
Water Quality and Pollution Management

By studying the processes of Water Cycle,


researchers identify sources of pollution and
develop strategies for water quality
management.
Importance of Ongoing Research and
Understanding of the Water Cycle
Sustainable Water Utilization

Research on the water cycle informs 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.
Encouragement For Individual and Collective
Actions to Protect and Conserve Water
Resources.
• 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.

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