Hydrology GEG 3102 PDF

Hydrology GEG 3102 Topics covered: 1. The hydrological cycle Stable isotopes of water as a tracer of the hydrological cycle 2. Atmospheric water This section will focus on the transition of water from its gas phase to its liquid or solid phase in the atmosphere and the subsequent transition from th...

Hydrology GEG 3102 Topics covered: 1. The hydrological cycle Stable isotopes of water as a tracer of the hydrological cycle 2. Atmospheric water This section will focus on the transition of water from its gas phase to its liquid or solid phase in the atmosphere and the subsequent transition from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface. We will study cloud formation, precipitation, evaporation and evapotranspiration. 3. Surface water We will learn about laminar and turbulent flow, measurement of water velocity and flow, hydrographs and runoff. 4. Groundwater Here we will examine the movement and storage of groundwater. We will study concepts such as infiltration, porosity, laminar flow, hydraulic conductivity, confined and unconfined groundwater flow, and flow systems. 5. Soil Water This section focuses on soil water, which is water in an area where it is present but does not saturate the host material (sediment or rock). You will be introduced to negative water pressure, soil moisture, unsaturated flow, capillarity, infiltration, percolation, and preferential flow. 6. Watershed Hydrology In this section we will examine the watershed, its streams, rivers and lakes. We will look at the shape of the basin, the drainage pattern and the density of the watershed. 7. Landscapes shaping water Erosion, transport and deposition, as well as chemical dissolution and precipitation of materials on and below the Earth's surface, are responsible for creating and/or modifying various landscapes and landforms. 8. Environmental Hydrology In this section, we will study the hydrology of specific environments such as lacustrine (lake), nival (snow), glacial (ice), periglacial (cold), and karst (caves). Hydrology GEG 3102 Email: mfaghih @ uottawa.ca Textbook: Introduction to Physical Hydrology. Author: Martin R. Hendriksv Physical Hydrology. Author: Third Edition S. Lawrence Dingman Course evaluation: Course evaluation will be based on: 1 - Lab reports (35%) 2 - Quiz (week3,5,11)(15%) 3 - Mid-term test, February 24 (20%) 4 - Final exam, during exam period (30%) The Hydrological Cycle: Understanding Water's Journey EXPLORING THE PROCESS OF WATER MOVEMENT ON EARTH MINA FAGHIH 2025.01.06 Hydrology: Basic Concepts and Challenges Hydrology Hydrology is broadly defined as the geoscience that describe and predicts the occurrence, circulation, and distribution of the water of the earth and its atmosphere.  Hydrological Cycle ❑The Hydrological Cycle refers to the continuous movement of water within the atmosphere, on the surface, and below the surface of the Earth. This natural process is driven by energy from the sun and plays a crucial role in maintaining the Earth's water balance. Key Processes in the Hydrological Cycle: Evapotranspiration, Condensation, Precipitation, Runoff, and Infiltration. 1- Evapotranspiration ❑ Evaporation is the process by which water changes from its liquid state to water vapor due to heat energy from the sun. This occurs at the surface of bodies of water, soil, and other moist surfaces. ❑ Transpiration refers to the release of water vapor from plant leaves into the atmosphere. 2 -Condensation ❑Condensation is the process by which water vapor in the atmosphere cools and changes back into liquid water or ice. This process occurs when the water vapor reaches its dew point, cooling enough to condense into water droplets, forming clouds, fog, or dew. Dew Point: The temperature at which water vapor condenses into liquid. This is crucial for determining when condensation occurs. Factors Affecting Condensation:  3- Precipitation ❑Precipitation is the process by which water, in the form of liquid or solid, falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface. Precipitation can take different forms depending on temperature, atmospheric conditions, and location: Rain, Snow, Drizzle, Hail,Sleet. Interception ❑Interception: Interception refers to the process by which precipitation is captured and stored by vegetation, including leaves, branches, and stems, before it reaches the ground. This water may be evaporated back into the atmosphere or contribute to other processes like throughfall or stemflow. Throughfall and Stemflow: ❑ Throughfall is the portion of precipitation that directly passes through the canopy and falls to the ground. ❑ Stemflow is the water that travels down the stems, trunks, or branches of plants or trees and reaches the ground. ❖ Net Precipitation ❑Net Precipitation is the total amount of precipitation that reaches the Earth's surface after accounting for losses due to interception by vegetation and other factors such as evaporation and transpiration. It represents the amount of water that actually contributes to the soil moisture, groundwater, or runoff. Net Precipitation=Total Precipitation−Interception Where total Precipitation is the total amount of rainfall, snow, sleet, or hail that falls from the atmosphere and Interception refers to the amount of precipitation that is captured by plant surfaces (leaves, branches) and does not immediately reach the ground. 4-Runoff ❑ Runoff is the flow of water, primarily from precipitation, that flows over the Earth's surface and returns to rivers, lakes, and oceans. It occurs when the rate of precipitation exceeds the infiltration capacity of the soil, leading to excess water moving across the land surface, contributing to the formation of surface water bodies.  Infiltration in the Hydrological Cycle ❑ Infiltration is the process by which water moves from the surface of the Earth into the soil. This process occurs when precipitation (rain, snowmelt, etc.) reaches the ground and begins to seep into the soil layers. ❑ Percolation in the Hydrological Cycle ❑ Percolation is the downward movement of water through the soil and rock layers after infiltration. It refers to the flow of water through the soil profile, moving past the root zone and toward groundwater aquifers.  Water Table ❑ The water table is the upper surface of the saturated zone of groundwater, representing the boundary between water-saturated ground (below) and unsaturated ground (above). It marks the level at which the ground is fully saturated with water, where all available pore spaces are filled.  Groundwater in the Hydrological Cycle ❑ Groundwater is the water that exists beneath the Earth's surface in soil pore spaces and in the fractures of rock formations. It plays a critical role in the hydrological cycle by storing and transferring water over long periods of time. Groundwater is a significant source of fresh water for drinking, agriculture, and industrial use.