Unit 1Unit 1 The Hydrologic Cycle The Hydrologic Cycle

Prepared and Presented by: Nelsa EnglishPrepared and Presented by: Nelsa English

Course: Water Resources: Conservation and Course: Water Resources: Conservation and Management (ENVS 4114)Management (ENVS 4114)

Importance of WaterImportance of Water ““Water is Life”Water is Life” All living things depend on Fresh Water All living things depend on Fresh Water

Fresh Water’s Salt content < 1% or 1000ppm Fresh Water’s Salt content < 1% or 1000ppm In Humans water composesIn Humans water composes

69% of the human body69% of the human body 85% of the brain85% of the brain 35% of bones 35% of bones 83% of blood83% of blood 90% of liver90% of liver

Importance of Water Contd.Importance of Water Contd.

Function of water in the human bodyFunction of water in the human body aiding in digestion and absorption of foodaiding in digestion and absorption of food regulates body temperature and blood regulates body temperature and blood

circulationcirculation carries nutrients and oxygen to cellscarries nutrients and oxygen to cells removes toxins and other wastesremoves toxins and other wastes cushions joints and protects tissues and cushions joints and protects tissues and

organs, including the spinal cord, from organs, including the spinal cord, from shock and damageshock and damage

Importance of Water Contd.Importance of Water Contd.

Function of Water in PlantsFunction of Water in Plants Plants consist of 85-98% waterPlants consist of 85-98% water Growth Growth

Production of sugarsProduction of sugars Fills new plant cellsFills new plant cells

TurgidityTurgidity Acts as a transport mechanismActs as a transport mechanism Cooling via transpirationCooling via transpiration

Importance of Water Contd.Importance of Water Contd.

4 Main Function of water4 Main Function of water Health Health HabitatHabitat CarrierCarrier ProductionProduction

Biomass productionBiomass production Societal productionSocietal production

Earth’s Water Distribution Earth’s Water Distribution

The Final PictureThe Final Picture

Hydrologic CycleHydrologic Cycle

Water exists in varying formsWater exists in varying forms Constantly changing stateConstantly changing state Never changing volumeNever changing volume Movement of water through phases- Movement of water through phases-

Hydrologic/Water CycleHydrologic/Water Cycle

Components of Water CycleComponents of Water Cycle

Evaporation: Evaporation: 80% 80% from oceans, rest from from oceans, rest from inland water and inland water and vegetation via vegetation via TranspirationTranspiration

Transpiration:Transpiration: Dependent on: Dependent on:

HumidityHumidity

Relative HumidityRelative Humidity

Components of the Water CycleComponents of the Water Cycle

CondensationCondensation Formation of clouds, fog, or dewFormation of clouds, fog, or dew What is formed depends on where the water vapour coolsWhat is formed depends on where the water vapour cools

Components of the Water CycleComponents of the Water Cycle PrecipitationPrecipitation

Return of water to earth’s surface following condensationReturn of water to earth’s surface following condensation Usually as a result of Cold FrontsUsually as a result of Cold Fronts Forms of PrecipitationForms of Precipitation

Rain (Primary form)Rain (Primary form) HailHail SleetSleet SnowSnow

Components of the Water Cycle Components of the Water Cycle

Infiltration: movement into the ground Infiltration: movement into the ground Capillary waterCapillary water Gravitational waterGravitational water Ground waterGround water

Runoff: movement over the groundRunoff: movement over the ground Where Where

rate of precipitation > rate of infiltrationrate of precipitation > rate of infiltration

WATERSHED: The land area that contributes to a WATERSHED: The land area that contributes to a

particular stream or river. Treated as a systemparticular stream or river. Treated as a system..

In a Watershed