APES 1.7 Hydrological Cycle

Hydrological/Water Cycle

Very important: This cycle is driven by the sun!

Breakdown of cycle:

• Solar energy heats water and causes evaporation

• Evaporated water coalesces as clouds in the atmosphere

• Water returns to the ground as precipitation

• Water from precip. is absorbed by plants, taken into the ocean, percolates in soil, and collects as groundwater

• Water is a essential component of life

• Universal solvent; so allows for a lot of versatility

• Solar energy creates evaporation but also allows for photosynthesis which also has water return to the atmosphere through transpiration.

• Water after precipitation can follow a number of paths. The water cycle is integral to the movement of elements through the world and its ecosystems

• The water cycle is a closed cycle but we humans can affect it. Through deforestation, creating dams/reservoirs, diversions, clearing landscapes, etc. we can change how the cycle works in certain areas.