Water Cycle Diagram PDF

n tio ita ow Rain Precipitation Pre cip Sn Name: ________ Sublimation Condensation ra ti on Evapotranspiration fi lt Fresh Water Evaporation In Pond Ground Water Flow Stream Flow/ Surface Runoff Ground Water/Aquifer Ground Water Flow Ocean (salt water) Evaporation: The water...

n tio ita ow Rain Precipitation Pre cip Sn Name: ________ Sublimation Condensation ra ti on Evapotranspiration fi lt Fresh Water Evaporation In Pond Ground Water Flow Stream Flow/ Surface Runoff Ground Water/Aquifer Ground Water Flow Ocean (salt water) Evaporation: The water cycle is driven by the sun’s heat. The sun heats water in oceans, ponds, and lakes and liquid water evaporates to form water vapor. Water also enters the air through evapotranspiration (transpiration from plants and evaporation from soil). Water also enters the air when ice and snow undergo sublimation. Condensation: As water vapor rises, the air pressure decreases and temperature decreases. Water condenses to form water droplets which form clouds. Precipitation: Wind patterns and air circulation moves water vapor clouds and water falls as precipitation. Water falls runoff or in streams. Some water enters the ground through a process called infiltration. Water deep in the ground can Water Cycle be stored as fresh water in aquifers (or ground water storage). Eventually, water ends up back in the ocean. © Bethany Lau back into the ocean or on land as rain. Water on land flows over the ground into lakes, ponds, and the ocean as surface Name: ________ Changes in Water’s Path We divert water to irrigate crops and provide ourselves with drinking water and for industrial processes. * This can interrupt the natural water cycle that has happened in a specific geographic area and can affect the amount of water animals and plants have access to. All ecosystems depend on access to water. When an ecosystem starts receiving less water, the number and ty pe of organisms it can support changes. Changes in Water Solutes We intentionally or accidentally add substances to the water in the water cycle. * In rural areas, pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, and farm animal waste enters streams and ponds through surface runoff and groundwater through infiltration. * In urban areas, oil, waste from pets, fertilizers, road salt, and human waste can enter the water systems. * Plastic pollution that ends up in the ocean is a major problem as well. Plastic pollution affects many ty pes of ocean life and is very hard to clean up. Acid Rain We burn fossil fuels, which introduces pollutants into the air. * These pollutants (sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) can react with water in the air to form sulfuric and nitric acids. These acids combine with water to form acid rain. * Acid rain falls and can affect the pH of rivers, lakes, and streams. The plants, insects, and fish that live in these aquatic ecosystems can be Human Impact on Water Cycle © Bethany Lau affected.