4.1 Introduction to water systems

Solar Radiation

Sun rays. They drive the force of the hydrological cycle.

Fresh Water

2.6% of it on Earth

Storages in the Water Cycle:

Organisms, soil and various water bodies (oceans, groundwater (aquifers), lakes, rivers, atmosphere, glaciers and ice caps)

Aquifers

Groundwater. This is non-renewable

Flows in the Water Cycle:

evapotranspiration, sublimation, evaporation, condensation, advection (wind-blown movement), precipitation, melting, freezing, flooding, surface runoff, infiltration, percolation, and stream- flow or currents

Ocean Circulation Systems

Are driven by differences in temperature and salinity. The resulting difference in water density drives the ocean conveyor belt, which distributes heat around the world, and thus affects climate.

Surface runoff

Water that flows over land.

Inflitration

Water being absorbed in the groud

Agriculture

Pesticides could pollute large bodies of water once they combine with surface runoff.

Deforestration

Healthy forests act as a filter to keep pollution out of water. Strong roots anchor soil against erosion and material on the forest floor helps absorb nutrients and sediment. But when forests are disturbed and degraded, sediment flows into streams and pollutes water.