One Possible Path Water Can Take After Falling as Precipitation:
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Infiltration: After falling to the ground as precipitation, water can infiltrate the soil. It seeps into the ground, where it can be absorbed by plant roots or contribute to the groundwater supply.
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Groundwater Movement: The infiltrated water can move through the soil layers, replenishing aquifers as it percolates deeper underground. This process helps maintain the water table.
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Surface Runoff: If the ground is saturated and unable to absorb more water, excess precipitation may flow over the surface as runoff. This water can travel into nearby streams, rivers, and lakes.
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Evapotranspiration: Eventually, some of the water in the soil is taken up by plants and released back into the atmosphere through evapotranspiration. When the water reaches the atmosphere, it can contribute to cloud formation and eventually fall again as precipitation, completing the cycle.
Three Ways People Change the Flow of Water Through the Water Cycle:
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Urbanization: The development of impervious surfaces, like roads and buildings, leads to increased runoff and reduced infiltration. This can cause rapid drainage into stormwater systems rather than allowing water to replenish groundwater aquifers.
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Agriculture: Farming practices often include irrigation and drainage systems that modify natural water flow. Irrigation directs water to crops, while drainage seeks to remove excess water from fields, altering the natural hydrology of an area.
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Deforestation: Cutting down trees and vegetation reduces transpiration and can increase surface runoff. Without adequate plant cover, less water is absorbed into the ground, which can lead to soil erosion and altered aquatic ecosystems.