2 Hydrospheric Processes

The Hydrological (water) Cycle
The hydrological cycle is a system of processes which store

and transport water throughout environments. Many of the
biophysical processes that form and transform environments
involve an interaction of the hydrosphere and
atmosphere.
Hydrospheric Processes
Evaporation: The water cycle starts with evaporation. It is a process where water at the
surface turns into water vapors. Water absorbs heat energy from the sun and turns into
vapors. Water bodies like the oceans, the seas, the lakes and the river bodies are the main
source of evaporation. Through evaporation, water moves from the hydrosphere to the
atmosphere.
Condensation: As water vaporizes into water vapor, it rises up in the atmosphere. At high
altitudes the water vapors changes into very tiny particles of ice /water droplets because the
temperature at high altitudes is low. This process is called condensation. These particles
come close together and form clouds and fogs in the sky.
Precipitation: The clouds (condensed water vapors) then pour down as precipitation due to
wind or temperature change. This occurs because the water droplets combine to make bigger
droplets. Also when the air cannot hold any more water, it precipitates. At high altitudes the
temperature is low and hence the droplets lose their heat energy. These water droplets fall
down as rain. If the temperature is very low (below 0 degrees), the water droplets fall as
snow. Water also precipices in the form of drizzle, sleet and hail. Water then enters the
lithosphere and, when absorbed by living organisms, the biosphere.
Transpiration: As water precipitates, some of it is absorbed by the soil. This water enters
into the process of transpiration. Transpiration is a process similar to evaporation where liquid
water is turned into water vapor by the plants. The roots of the plants absorb the water and
push it toward leaves where it is used for photosynthesis. The extra water is moved out of
leaves through stomata (very tiny openings on leaves) as water vapor. Thus water enters the
biosphere and exits into gaseous phase.
Runoff: As the water pours down (in whatever form), it leads to runoff. Runoff is the process
where water runs over the surface of earth. When the snow melts into water it also leads to
runoff. As water runs over the ground it displaces the top soil with it and moves the minerals
along with the stream. This runoff combines to form channels and then rivers and ends up
into lakes, seas and oceans. Here the water enters hydrosphere.
Infiltration: This physical process involves the movement of water through the boundary
area where the atmosphere interfaces with the soil. It is where precipitation or water soaks
into subsurface soils and moves into rocks through cracks and pore spaces. The bulk of
rainwater and melted snow ends up being infiltrated into the ground. It can then be absorbed
by the soil and may stay there for a long time until it gradually gets evaporated. If there is a
lot of vegetative cover the infiltrated water can also be absorbed by plant roots and later
transpired. Infiltration occurs in the upper layers of the ground but may also continue further
downwards into the water table (percolation).
Percolation: Percolation is the downward movement of water though the soil, and it's layers.
Once underground, the water is moved by gravity. Depending on how saturated the ground is,
the water can continue downwards to replenish water tables and aquifers.
Activities:
1. Match the hydrospheric processes below to their definition.
- Evaporation - Infiltration - Percolation - Runoff - Precipitation

- Transpiration - Evapotranspiration - Condensation
2. Label the hydrospheric processes above onto the diagram below:
Definition Term
any type of water that forms in the Earth's atmosphere Precipitation
and then drops onto the surface of the Earth. This can be
in the form of rain, snow, sleet or hail
the process by which water is transferred from the land to Evapotranspiration

the atmosphere by evaporation from the soil and other
surfaces and by transpiration from plants.
the downward movement of water though the soil, and Percolation

it's layers, by gravity and may eventually enter water
tables and aquifers.
process by which moisture is carried through plants from Transpiration
roots to small pores on the underside of leaves, where it
changes to vapor and is released to the atmosphere.
physical process involving movement of water through Infiltration

the boundary area where the atmosphere interfaces with
the soil.
process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or evaporation
vapour usually from large bodies of water such as oceans.
portion of precipitation that appears in surface streams. It runoff

is a combination of surface and subsurface runoff.
process by which water vapor in the air is changed into condensation

liquid water. This process is responsible for the formation
of clouds.
2. Summarise the processes of the water cycle in your own words.

The sun heats up the water which then turns into water vapour, it’s called evaporation. As the
water changes into water vapour, it raises into the atmosphere and form clouds and fogs that
contain water droplets, called condensation. When the clouds are unable to hold the water
droplets, These water droplets turns into rain, called precipitation. Some of the water from
precipitation infiltrates into the ground cause percolation, some of them absorb by the trees
called transpiration. When the water then runs over the surface of the earth and goes back
into the lakes, ocean and rivers, it’s called runoff
3. Identify THREE biophysical interactions that occur within the water cycle.
- The atmosphere contributes to the gases that are found in the water
- Biosphere adds to store of nutrients in the soil
- Water movement is slowed by vegetation
4. Brainstorm ways humans have negatively affected the hydrological (water) cycle.
- Human burning fossil fuels causing rising temperature
- Deforestation
- damn construction
- Urbnaisation
Research (could do)
Select one impact from your brainstorm and research a media article highlighting a case
study of this impact. Read the article and create a 5 dotpoint synopsis.

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The Hydrological (water) Cycle

The hydrological cycle is a system of processes which store

- Evaporation - Infiltration - Percolation - Runoff - Precipitation

2. Label the hydrospheric processes above onto the diagram below:

the process by which water is transferred from the land to Evapotranspiration

the downward movement of water though the soil, and Percolation

physical process involving movement of water through Infiltration

portion of precipitation that appears in surface streams. It runoff

process by which water vapor in the air is changed into condensation

2. Summarise the processes of the water cycle in your own words.

Research (could do)

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