The water cycle in nature

The water cycle in nature, also known as the hydrological cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on the surface of the Earth, as well as above and below it. Although the balance of water on the Earth remains practically unchanged over time, individual water molecules can enter the atmosphere and leave it. Water moves, for example, from a river to the ocean or from the ocean into the atmosphere, by means of physical processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, runoff, and also with the help of underground currents. Thus water passes through various phases: liquid, solid (ice) and gaseous (steam).

The water cycle in nature includes heat exchange, which leads to temperature changes. For example, when water evaporates, it absorbs heat from the environment and cools it. When it condenses, it gives off heat and heats the environment. This heat exchange affects the climate. The water cycle in nature is also associated with geological processes on Earth (erosion and sedimentation). And, finally, thanks to him, the life and stability of ecosystems on Earth is maintained.

Description

The cycle of water in nature for children begins to describe even in the initial classes, so everyone knows that the sun, through which it occurs, heats water in the oceans and seas. The water evaporates and enters the air as a vapor. Ice and snow can sublimate directly into water vapor, bypassing the liquid phase. Evaporation of water from plants and soil also occurs.

Rising air currents raise steam into the atmosphere, where low temperatures cause it to condense into clouds. Air flows carry water vapor around the world, clouds collide, grow and water falls out of the upper atmosphere as precipitation. Some of them can accumulate in the form of ice caps and glaciers, which retain frozen water for thousands of years. Most of the water is returned to the oceans or to the land in the form of rain, forming a surface runoff. Part of the runoff falls into rivers, and from there to the seas and oceans. Storm and groundwater is partially collected in freshwater lakes. However, most of it is absorbed into the ground and infiltrated: it penetrates deep into the earth and replenishes the aquifers, which are reservoirs of fresh water. Such horizons can be located close to the surface, and water can seep back - so springs are formed. However, over time, water returns to the ocean, where it all began.

The processes through which the water cycle in nature occurs:

Precipitation

Most precipitation falls in the form of rain. Other types: snow, hail, fog, groats and wet snow. In a year about 505,000 km³ of water falls in the form of precipitation.

Interception of precipitation

Precipitation, which was intercepted by foliage of plants, eventually evaporates back into the atmosphere, rather than fall to the ground.

Melt water

Stoke from melting snow.

Stoke

Various ways by which water moves on the ground. This can be both a surface runoff and an underground one. Water can seep into the ground, evaporate into the air, be stored in lakes and reservoirs or used for agricultural and other purposes.

Infiltration

Seepage of water from the surface to the ground.

Underground streams

The flow of water under the earth, in the zone of aeration and aquifers. Underground waters can return to the surface or eventually seep into the ocean. Underground waters tend to move slowly and replenish slowly, so that they can remain in aquifers for thousands of years.

Evaporation

The transformation of water from a liquid state into a gaseous state, at which it moves from the surface of the earth or water bodies to the atmosphere. The source of energy for evaporation is primarily solar radiation. The total amount of evaporation is about 505,000 km³ of water per year.

Sublimation

The transition directly from the solid phase (snow or ice) to water vapor.

Deposition

This is the conversion of water vapor directly into ice.

Advection

Movement of water - in a solid, liquid or gaseous state - through the atmosphere.

Condensation

The transformation of water vapor into liquid water droplets in the air, the formation of clouds and fog.

Evaporation

The release of water vapor from plants and soil into the air.

Seepage

The flow of water horizontally through the soil and rocks under the influence of gravity.

The cycle of water in nature is due to solar energy. 86% of global evaporation occurs from the surface of the ocean.

The water cycle in the biosphere is a biogeochemical cycle. The drains are responsible for almost all the movement of eroded precipitation and phosphorus from the ground to the water bodies.