Major processes in the water cycle

Precipitation

Water in any form that falls from clouds onto the earth’s surface.

Transpiration

Plants release water vapor into the air through tiny pores in their leaves.

Evaporation

Liquid turning into gas.

Infiltration

Water soaking into the ground through the soil like a sponge.

Percolation

Liquid slowly passing through a filter like coffee.

Water Table

Boundary between the unsaturated and saturated zone.

Groundwater Flow

Movement of water through the soil and rock layers by gravity and pressure differences.

Plant Uptake

Plants absorb water and nutrients from the soil through their roots.

Surface Runoff

Water flowing over the land instead of soaking into the ground.

Evapotranspiration

Loss of water from the soil by evaporation from the soil and transpiration from the leaves.