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

Salt content < 1% or 1000ppm Salt content < 1% or 1000ppm Blue and Green waterBlue and Green water 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 DistributionEarth’s Water Distribution

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

EvaporationEvaporationChange in energy stateChange in energy state conversion of water conversion of water

from a liquid into a gasfrom a liquid into a gas Transpiration Transpiration HumidityHumidity Relative HumidityRelative Humidity

Components of the Water CycleComponents of the Water Cycle

CondensationCondensation Lower energy stateLower energy state Cooling of water vapourCooling of water vapour 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 surfaceReturn of water to earth’s surface Intensified condensationIntensified condensation Cold FrontsCold Fronts Forms of PrecipitationForms of Precipitation

Rain (Primary form)Rain (Primary form)

Components of the Water Cycle Components of the Water Cycle

Water over and through the GroundWater over and through the Ground Infiltration Infiltration

Capillary waterCapillary water Gravitational waterGravitational water Ground waterGround water

RunoffRunoff

WATERSHEDWATERSHED

Questions to PonderQuestions to Ponder What would happen to the planet if the hydrologic What would happen to the planet if the hydrologic

cycle stopped functioning? What would happen to cycle stopped functioning? What would happen to societies as the supplies of water diminished? Would societies as the supplies of water diminished? Would our planet die?our planet die?

What would happen if the polar icecaps melted and What would happen if the polar icecaps melted and the hydrologic cycle couldn't keep water levels the hydrologic cycle couldn't keep water levels stable? Where would we go as water levels rose out stable? Where would we go as water levels rose out of control?of control?

Could we ever use the ocean to supplement or water Could we ever use the ocean to supplement or water once freshwater disappears? What ways could the once freshwater disappears? What ways could the oceans be used to provide us with a source of water?oceans be used to provide us with a source of water?