What is the Water Cycle?

One of the most important resources that makes life possible on Earth is water. Water is essential for the growth of plants and the survival of humans and animals. Humanity first looks for water when searching for extraterrestrial life on other planets. This is because ecosystems without water are incompatible with life. So, have you ever thought about it? How does water, which is described as perhaps the primary source of life, continuously renew and cleanse itself? The magnificent natural phenomenon behind this is the water cycle!

Water exists on our planet in 3 different forms: solid, liquid, and gas. The journey of water between underground, on the surface, and in the atmosphere in these 3 forms is known as the "Water Cycle," or "Hydrological Cycle." Like water itself, this cycle is also very important for life. This way, water is purified, distributed across the world in proportion to climatic conditions, and supports all life by ensuring the continuity of agricultural and animal ecosystems.

Distribution of Water on Earth

During this cycle, the total amount of water on Earth remains unchanged. The only thing that changes is the little fluctuations in the forms water takes. For instance, the rise in sea levels is not due to the increase in water but rather the melting of ice found in solid form above sea level that mixes with the oceans, or when a lake dries up, the water source there does not disappear but evaporates into the atmosphere.

There are nearly 1.5 billion km3 of water on Earth. These waters cover 70% of the Earth's surface. The salty waters that make up the oceans and seas constitute 97.5% of the total water reserves on Earth, which are not usable. Almost all of the remaining 2.5% of freshwater reserves consist of polar ice, which cannot be used by humanity, and water sources found underground in ice or liquid form.

When we consider the available freshwater compared to all the water on Earth, we can say that only 0.02% of the world's water is open for human use.

How Does the Water Cycle Occur?

The water cycle fundamentally occurs through 2 main factors: "solar energy" and "gravity." Together with the molecular structure of water, these two factors enable water to move in different forms across the world. Water that evaporates or transpires into the atmosphere due to solar energy rises and cools as it moves upwards, condensing to form clouds. Then, under the effect of gravity, the water returns to Earth, descending to underground as well. These events have been continuing in this way for thousands of years and will continue for thousands more if we humans do not significantly disrupt the functioning of the planet.

Stages of the Water Cycle

The water cycle essentially consists of 6 stages: evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, surface runoff, and groundwater flow. Thanks to these stages, the cycle continues indefinitely without any loss of water in a closed system.

1. Evaporation:

   With the heat energy from the sun, solid and liquid water sources that receive sunlight turn into water vapor. The water that becomes vapor rises into the atmosphere in gaseous form.

   
   

2. Transpiration:

   Plants also use the water molecules present in the soil and expel them through transpiration. In this way, plants also release water into the atmosphere in gaseous form.

   
   

3. Condensation:

   There is actually water vapor present all over the atmosphere, but we only see the clouds. As water vapor in the atmosphere rises, it begins to cool due to the decreasing temperature. The cooled water vapor condenses into tiny droplets, forming clouds.

   
   

4. Precipitation:

   When the small water droplets in the clouds reach a certain size, they can no longer remain suspended in the air and begin to fall to the surface under the influence of gravity. This is also known as rain. Depending on atmospheric conditions, clouds can also produce precipitation in the forms of snow or hail if they become very cold or encounter a sudden cold wave.

   
   

5. Surface Runoff:

   When water returns to the surface due to precipitation, some of it seeps into the ground, while some flows on the surface, feeding rivers, lakes, and seas. This process allows water to reach the seas and oceans again. Some of the rainwater seeps into the ground, replenishing groundwater. This water accumulates underground, and people can access it by drawing from wells. The water underground can slowly flow towards the seas and rivers or emerge at the surface as springs.

Conclusion

The water cycle enables life to continue on our planet. Continuous movement of water is necessary for the growth of plants, the finding of water by animals, and the provision of drinking water for humans. Additionally, through the water cycle, water is naturally purified. When water evaporates, impurities and salts are left behind, allowing only clean water vapor to rise into the atmosphere. The water cycle also contributes to the regulation of climate and the humidification of the air. It is not wrong to say that all life forms on Earth are dependent on this cycle.

The water cycle is a perfect self-renewing system of nature. Through this cycle, water continuously moves on our planet and remains a vital resource for living beings. Understanding the journey of water in this cycle reminds us of how carefully we need to use it.

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