Do Hydrologists Have to Learn Again

Hydrology

Hydrology

Hydrology is the study of the distribution and movement of water both on and beneath the Globe'south surface, as well every bit the impact of homo action on h2o availability and conditions.

Subjects

Biological science, Ecology, Chemistry, Conservation, Earth Scientific discipline, Oceanography

Prototype

Hydrologist

A hydrologist measures the stream flow in a tributary to the Coeur d'Alene River.

Photograph by Smith Drove/Gado

Hydrology is an extremely important field of report, dealing with one of the most valuable resource on Earth: water. All aspects of the Earth's available water are studied by experts from many disciplines, from geologists to engineers, to obtain the information needed to manage this vital resource. Hydrologists rely on their understanding of how water interacts with its environment, including how information technology moves from the Earth'due south surface, to the atmosphere, and then dorsum to Earth. This never-ending movement is called the hydrologic wheel, or the water wheel.

Water takes on various forms in the environment in response to changes in temperature and other influences. H2o from the surface of oceans and other bodies of water is warmed by the sun and evaporates as water vapor. As this moist air rises high into the atmosphere, information technology cools and condenses into clouds. Moisture in the clouds then returns to the Earth's surface every bit atmospheric precipitation. Once it reaches the footing, the water is absorbed, and it becomes groundwater. Groundwater that is not absorbed will return to creeks, rivers, streams, and somewhen to the oceans. The cycle repeats itself every bit the surface of bodies of h2o one time once again evaporates. Wet captured by plants tin can besides render to the atmosphere through a process called transpiration.

The field of hydrology consists not simply of studying the natural distribution and movement of water, it is also concerned with the impact of human activities on water quality and with problems in water direction. People use water for many purposes. In their homes, people use water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and bathing. Many industries have a great demand for water. In agriculture, water is used for the irrigation of farmland and for livestock. Water in many dams is used to produce hydroelectric power. The listing of human uses for water is virtually endless.

Hydrologists, such as National Geographic Explorer Manase Elisa, play a critical role in determining the impact of human activities on our available water. Elisa conducted the first extensive written report of the Katuma River-Lake Rukwa ecosystem in the African nation of Tanzania. Irrigation in the Katuma River region has led to ecology degradation downstream. Hydrologists strive to improve h2o quality and increase our access to h2o and so that nosotros can keep to brand employ of it in all the means that are necessary to our lives.

A hydrologist measures the stream flow in a tributary to the Coeur d'Alene River.

Photograph past Smith Collection/Gado

Noun

layers of gases surrounding a planet or other celestial torso.

Substantive

procedure past which water vapor becomes liquid.

Substantive

the way something is spread out over an area.

engineer

Noun

person who plans the building of things, such as structures (structure engineer) or substances (chemical engineer).

Noun

process by which liquid h2o becomes water vapor.

geologist

Substantive

person who studies the concrete formations of the Globe.

Substantive

water found in an aquifer.

hydroelectricity

Noun

ability generated by moving h2o converted to electricity. Also called hydroelectric energy or hydroelectric power.

hydrologic cycle

Noun

arrangement of recycling liquid, gas, and solid water throughout a planet. Also called the water wheel.

Noun

watering state, unremarkably for agriculture, by artificial means.

livestock

Noun

animals raised for human use.

Substantive

all forms in which water falls to Earth from the temper.

Substantive

overflow of fluid from a subcontract or industrial factory.

transform

Verb

to change from i form into another.

transpiration

Substantive

evaporation of water from plants.

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  Director

  Tyson Brown, National Geographic Club
  

  Author

  National Geographic Social club
  

  Production Managers

  Gina Borgia, National Geographic Society
  Jeanna Sullivan, National Geographic Society
  

  Program Specialists

  Sarah Appleton, National Geographic Gild
  Margot Willis, National Geographic Society
  

  Specialist, Content Product

  Clint Parks
  

  Producer

  André Gabrielli, National Geographic Social club
  

  Last Updated

  July 30, 2019

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Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/hydrology/