Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Processes of the Water Cycle - Coggle Diagram
Processes of the Water Cycle
Water Balance
The equation summarises the flows of water in a drainage basin over time. Inputs should be equal to outputs.
Precipitation = Evaporation + Streamflow ± Storage
P = E + Q ± S
Precipitation
Water and ice that falls from clouds to the ground, most commonly rain or snow.
Precipitation forms when vapour in the atmosphere cools to its dew point and condenses into tiny water droplets or ice crystals to form clouds.
Most of the rain reaching the ground flows into streams/rivers but in high latitudes, precipitation may remain on the ground for several months.
In some parts of the world (e.g. East Africa, Mediterranean etc.), precipitation is concentrated in a rainy season meaning river discharge during this period is high and flooding is common.
Transpiration
The diffusion of water vapour from the stomata to the atmosphere.
Responsible for 10% of the moisture in the atmosphere.
Influenced by: temperature, wind speed and water availability to plants.
Condensation
Phase change from water vapour to liquid water.
Occurs when air is cooled to its dew point. At this critical temperature, air becomes saturated with vapour resulting in condensation. Clouds form through condensation in the atmosphere.
Cumuliform clouds
form when heated air particles rise freely through the atmosphere (convection), expand due to decrease in pressure and cool. As cooling reaches dew point, clouds begin to form.
Stratiform (layer) clouds
develop where an air mass moves horizontally across a cooler surface (advection).
Wispy
cirrus clouds
form at high altitudes and consist of tiny ice crystals. They do not produce precipitation.
Condensation at/near the ground produces dew and fog. Both types of condensation deposit large amounts of moisture on vegetation and other surfaces.