What is the hydrological cycle: stages and importance

The hydrological cycle is a process in which water Change physical status and location. All media are part of this water cycle: from the ocean and the seas to the mainland and the atmosphere. When there is a change in the state of the water, we refer to what can pass from solid to liquid and gaseous state.

It is one of the cycles that maintain the earth in operation, specifically through the transport, distribution, storage and purification of water. These are known as ecosystem services and make the amount of water on planet Earth does not varybut simply allow circulation and circulation.

Water distribution on Earth

Water is concentrated in different quantities within the Earth, so its distribution can be seen as follows:

• He 2% The rivers make up.
• He 5% It is in the lakes.
• He 93% It is located on the ground.

Of this amount of water, only 0.003% is fresh water available for human consumption. The remaining 99,997% is brackish water or limited access.

Since the water is the main element of the water cycle or hydrological cycle, this process also has three states: solid, liquid and gaseous. In this way, we can say that one of the main characteristics of the water cycle is that It is a dynamic processsince it is not maintained at any static time.

Other characteristics of the hydrological cycle are:

• This determined by climatic and atmospheric conditions of a particular site.
• He Water is never lostjust change place and state.
• It’s a closed system.
• It is one Succession of transfers and accumulationssince when the water of a river or lake flows into a sea, for example, there are an accumulation of elements.
• It is a process that Promote the food chain.
• The hydrological cycle generates and dissipates a large amount of energy.

The hydrological cycle consists of different stages, in which the physical state and the location of water are modified by conditions of temperature, height and Atmospheric pressure. When we talk about the water cycle, we must clarify that it is divided into two cycles:

• The internal cycle: It is about magmatic origin that is mixed with external water.
• The external cycle: Within this cycle we find the explanation in phases, which is based on evaporation, condensation and precipitation in broad strokes. In short, it is when the water evaporates in the atmosphere, it is transformed and precipitated until it falls to the ocean.
  

If you are wondering what are the 4 stages of the water cycle, from Ecology Verde we have to clarify that there are more than 4 stages in the hydrological cycle.

Evaporation

The water cycle begins in the oceans and continental waters, which are the water masses from which 80% of evaporation comes. Here the temperature It rises by solar radiation and water evaporation occurs. It also occurs through organisms thanks to the Transpiration in plants and the sweating in animals. This rises to the atmosphere.

We tell you more about what is the evaporation of water and examples in this other post.

Evapotranspiration

On Earth, an evaporation process occurs simultaneously, since it also receives solar radiation that increases the temperature and changing the state of the water to gas. Here the vegetation transpires the water it contains, as Elimination and cooling process of plants.

The soil will also release the water retained towards the atmosphere. At this point we could also mention Sublimation and The benchwhich occur on frozen surfaces.

Condensation

Once the water from the oceans, plants and soil reaches the atmosphere, condensation occurs. The change of pressure and low temperature causes the vapor of perspiration to be condensed. This means that water will concentrate on drops larger, forming clouds. This process transforms to the gaseous state of water in a liquid state.

These clouds are transported by the wind on the mainland.

You can find more information about how clouds and clouds are formed: names, characteristics and photos in these two other articles that we propose

Precipitation

The clouds will now be loaded with water And, for its weight, They will fall towards Earth. Depending on the area and height where they are falling as rain, hail, snow or thaw. Here we have the third state of the water: the solid.

Runoff and infiltration

Water from rainfall It will fall to the ground and will be transported by rivers or runoff. It can be transported because the water that falls penetrates through its pores in the underground layer.

We call this hydrological cycle process, which occurs when water travels through water channels. Here will reach the subsoil where there is Multiple water reserves. The water that is already on the mainland can reach the ocean, the final destination of the water, through river communication routes or can evaporate to start the cycle again.

Now that we know what is the hydrological cycle of water, its characteristics and its stages, what is the importance of the hydrological cycle? Water is the molecule that supports life And it is thanks to the hydrological cycle that all living beings can obtain it.

Said water cycle is responsible for Distribute the watermobilizing it thousands of kilometers alone. In addition, another important ecosystem service that occurs within this cycle is Purification What happens during evaporation. This allows water to be used again by thousands of organisms that depend on it, which leads us to the next point.

Water is part of others cycles like oxygen. Vegetation requires water to complete the photosynthesis on who also depends on the breathing of aerobic organisms.

Water also helps regulate the temperature of the earthintervening in ecosystem dynamics, and therefore also in biological diversity.

We leave you this other ecology article about the importance of water for the planet and the human being or, if you prefer, you can see the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8iuw-qtpbq

The water cycle works in a closed circle of recovery where it is recycled and purified Naturally water. However, the high demand of man has led to this circle to break. Some of the water cycle alterations that we are today are the following.

• Anthropogenic activity issues Large amounts of emissions: From the industrial revolution they have had an exponential increase and have not stopped growing. These emissions cause an increase in temperature, which increases evapotranspiration and evaporation levels.
• Nitrogen and sulfur oxides emitted to the atmosphere by the human: they are emitted by combustion and generate acid rain, damaging and running everything in its path. If you want to know more about acid rain: definition, causes and consequences do not hesitate to take a look at this other article that we recommend.
• The change of water tributar channels: either for constructions, to allocate them to agricultural irrigation or for industries, interferes with the absorption of water in a site. This derives in drought in adjacent areas, normally socially disadvantaged. Overexploitation and demand exhausts reserves that correspond to each site.
• Water discharges without treatment: from cities, factories or fields pollute the entire water cycle, increasing toxicity and distributing it throughout the planet.
• Soil degradation: Because of its intensive use, it interrupts the ability to retain and transport water. You can consult what is the degradation of the soil, here.

Although the water cycle is a closed system, alterations prevent the circuit from being completed correctly and efficiently. Water being the basis of life, any alteration implies a risk to organisms.

If you want to read more articles similar to What is the hydrological cycle: stages and importancewe recommend that you enter our category of meteorological phenomena.