Water Cycle Basics
This cycle describes the continuous movement of water between Earth’s sources and sinks.
hydrologic (water) cycle
This process converts liquid water into water vapor from surfaces like oceans and lakes.
Evaporation
When water vapor condenses in the atmosphere and falls to Earth, this occurs.
This reservoir is the primary source of freshwater for humans, plants, and animals.
Groundwater
Overwatering farmland can increase this runoff process, leading to soil erosion and pollution.
Surface runoff
This is the main energy source that drives the water cycle.
Sun
This process is when plants release water vapor through small openings in their leaves.
Transpiration
Water that flows over Earth’s surface into lakes, rivers, or oceans is called this.
Runoff
Lakes, rivers, and streams are examples of this type of freshwater reservoir.
Surface water
Polluted runoff often carries this, which contaminates freshwater sources.
Pollutants
The largest reservoir of water on Earth is this.
Ocean
The combined total of evaporation and transpiration is called this.
Evapotranspiration
When water soaks into the soil and moves downward, this process is called.
Infiltration
Ice caps and glaciers are examples of this kind of freshwater storage.
Frozen freshwater
The increase in this human product reduces infiltration.
Impermeable surfaces (or pavements)
These two reservoirs hold most of Earth’s freshwater.
Ice caps and groundwater
Transpiration helps pull water up from this part of the plant.
Roots
For infiltration to happen effectively, soil must have this property.
Permeability
Freshwater is important for this basic human necessity and agriculture.
Drinking water
This human activity reduces evapotranspiration.
Deforestation
Water exists in these three states as it moves through the cycle.
solid, gas, liquid
Both evaporation and transpiration depend mainly on this source of energy.
Solar energy
Water that infiltrates deep into the ground replenishes this freshwater reservoir.
Groundwater
Pollution in runoff poses a threat to these freshwater sources.
Surface water and/or groundwater
Excess nutrients from runoff cause this overgrowth of algae in water bodies.
Eutrophication