The Water Cycle
Cristina - Alyssa - Sam
What makes up the water cycle?
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Evaporation
Condensation
Sublimation
Precipitation
Transpiration
Run-off
Infiltration
EVAPORATION
1: evaporation
The first process of the water cycle is evaporation.
Evaporation is the process that changes water from a liquid
back into water vapor.
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For evaporation to occur, energy
(heat) needs to break bonds that
hold water molecules together.
Almost 90% of the moisture in
the atmosphere comes from large
bodies of water through
evaporation.
condensation
EVAPORATION
2: Condensation
The second process of the water cycle is condensation.
Condensation is the process that changes water vapor into
liquid water.
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It is the complete opposite of
evaporation.
Condensation is used to form
clouds and fog.
condensation
sublimation
EVAPORATION
3: sublimation
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Along with evaporation, Sublimation also contributes to
the water vapor in the air.
Sublimation is the process that turns a solid (ice, snow,
etc.) directly to gas (water vapor).
Sublimation mainly occurs
in colder locations like in
high altitudes and the north
and south pole.
condensation
sublimation
precipitation
EVAPORATION
4: Precipitation
Precipitation is the fourth step in the water cycle.
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During precipitation water is
released from clouds in the form
of rain, freezing rain, sleet,
snow, or hail.
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It is the main connection in the
water cycle that allows for
atmospheric water to reach the
Earth.
condensation
sublimation
transpiration
precipitation
EVAPORATION
5: transpiration
The fifth step of the water cycle is
transpiration.
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Transpiration carries moisture through
plants from roots to small pores on the
underside of leaves.
The moisture is changed to water vapor
and is released into the atmosphere.
Basically, transpiration is evaporation
through plants..
About 10% of the atmosphere’s moisture is
because of transpiration.
condensation
sublimation
transpiration
run-off
precipitation
EVAPORATION
6: run- off
Run-off is the sixth process of the water cycle.
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Runoff is precipitation that did not get
absorbed into soil, or did not evaporate,
and therefore made its way from the ground’
s surface into places that water would be
collected.
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Runoff causes erosion, and also carries
chemicals and substances on the ground’s
surface along to the rivers where the water
ends up.
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It can cause water pollution too.
condensation
sublimation
transpiration
run-off
run-off
infiltration
precipitation
EVAPORATION
7: Infiltration
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The final step to the water cycle before it repeats again
is infiltration
This step occurs after rain precipitates and fills lakes,
ponds, rivers, etc.
The water Infiltrates the ground and gets absorbed by
soil.
COllection
Collection occurs when large amounts of water fall
from the clouds as rain, hail, snow, etc. collects in
oceans, lakes, and ponds. Most will infiltrate the
ground and will collect as underground water.
EUtrophication
A process in which a body of water acquires a high
concentration of nutrients, specifically, phosphates and
nitrates. These substances promote excessive growth of
algae. As the algae die and decompose, high levels of
organic matter and the decomposing organisms deplete the
water of available oxygen, causing the death of other
organisms, such as fish.
The Issue
Ms.Schuckers and Mrs. Hinz add fertilizer to their plants
because their plants are not doing so well. Fortunately, the
plants look better, but they begin to notice the fish are
dying and the lake is turning green.
The Solution
Solution 1: Instead of using chemical fertilizer use
compost. Compost is all organic and made out of recycled
material. It is also good for plants. Therefore, it will not
contaminate the water.
Solution 2: Another
coffee grounds. The
provides potassium,
essential nutrients
alternative to using fertilizer is
mixture of water and leftover coffee
calcium, phosphorous, and many other
for plants.
Human Impact on the Water Cycle
- Humans take out water from the water cycle
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to provide drinking water, irrigate crops, and to take out other
industrial processes
- We add substances to the water
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when precipitation falls and moves to rivers, it picks up pollutants
such as gas, oil, pet waste, fertilizers, pesticides, salt, and human
waste from sewage plants.
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Adding chemicals to the water can cause contaminated rain water which
flows through our streams
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It can harm plant and animal life, as well as human beings, by
reducing their ability to grow and reproduce
human impact on the water cycle continued
- Hydroelectricity
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By using water as a renewable energy source, it is required for
rivers to be dammed. Mismanaged dams affect fish and plants
living in the rivers and also can lead to droughts.
- Deforestation
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Cutting down trees can lead to a lack of transpiration in the
water
- Water Supply
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reduced flow will affect the water supply
Sources
http://water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleevaporation.html
http://water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycletranspiration.html
http://water.usgs.gov/edu/watercyclecondensation.html
http://water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleprecipitation.html
http://www.eschooltoday.com/water-cycle/what-is-runoff-in-water-cycle.html