Water Resources and Water Cycle

Water Resources

Definition

• Water resources refer to the freshwater available on Earth, including rivers, lakes, wetlands, groundwater, and atmospheric water vapor.

Types of Water Resources

• Surface Water: lakes, rivers, wetlands, and reservoirs
• Groundwater: water stored beneath the Earth's surface in aquifers
• Atmospheric Water: water vapor in the air

Water Cycle

• Evaporation: water evaporates from oceans, lakes, and rivers into the atmosphere
• Condensation: water vapor cools and condenses into clouds
• Precipitation: water falls back to Earth as rain, snow, or hail
• Runoff: water flows over land into bodies of water
• Infiltration: water seeps into soil and becomes groundwater

Water Scarcity

• Causes:
  • Climate change
  • Population growth
  • Urbanization
  • Agriculture and industry
• Effects:
  • Water shortages
  • Food insecurity
  • Social and economic impacts

Water Management

• Conservation: reducing water waste and increasing efficiency
• Water Harvesting: collecting and storing rainwater for later use
• Water Recycling: treating and reusing wastewater
• Water Allocation: distributing water among competing users

Importance of Water Resources

• Ecosystems: supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services
• Food Security: irrigating crops and supporting agriculture
• Human Health: providing drinking water and sanitation
• Economic Development: supporting industries and energy production

Water Resources

• Freshwater available on Earth includes rivers, lakes, wetlands, groundwater, and atmospheric water vapor.

Types of Water Resources

• Surface water includes lakes, rivers, wetlands, and reservoirs.
• Groundwater is stored beneath the Earth's surface in aquifers.
• Atmospheric water refers to water vapor in the air.

Water Cycle

• Evaporation occurs when water evaporates from oceans, lakes, and rivers into the atmosphere.
• Condensation occurs when water vapor cools and condenses into clouds.
• Precipitation occurs when water falls back to Earth as rain, snow, or hail.
• Runoff refers to water flowing over land into bodies of water.
• Infiltration occurs when water seeps into soil and becomes groundwater.

Water Scarcity

• Causes of water scarcity include climate change, population growth, urbanization, agriculture, and industry.
• Effects of water scarcity include water shortages, food insecurity, and social and economic impacts.

Water Management

• Conservation involves reducing water waste and increasing efficiency.
• Water harvesting involves collecting and storing rainwater for later use.
• Water recycling involves treating and reusing wastewater.
• Water allocation involves distributing water among competing users.

Importance of Water Resources

• Water resources support ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Water resources are essential for food security and agriculture.
• Access to clean water is crucial for human health and sanitation.
• Water resources support economic development, industries, and energy production.

Learn about the different types of water resources including surface water, groundwater, and atmospheric water, and understand the process of the water cycle including evaporation and condensation.