Hydrologic Cycle

Hydrologic Cycle

(The flow of Earth’s waters)

Objectives

• To be able to summarize Earth’s hydrologic cycle.

• To be able to illustrate the carbon cycle. • To be able to discuss current issues related to

the Earth’s hydrologic cycle.

Hydrological Cycle Video

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaDkph9yQBs

• Earth is unique, water exists here in all three states:– Solid– Liquid – Gas

Major Glacial Ice Sheets

1. Antarctica – Earth’s largest freshwater sink.2. Greenland – Earth’s second largest

freshwater sink (with Antarctica, they play a major role in Earth’s water cycle).

3. Himalayas – Third largest ice sheet. Important due to its role in providing water for billions of people.

4. Southern Andes

Southern Andean Ice Field - Chile

Perito Moreno – Argentina (Andes)

Himalayan Ice Sheet – 3rd largest in World

Qori Kalis - Himalayas

Greenland Ice Sheet

Antarctica

Antarctica

Glacier National Park – Montana (Our own backyard)

It has been estimated there were approximately 150 glaciers present in 1910 when the park was established. In 2010, we consider there to be only 25 glaciers larger than 25 acres remaining in GNP.

Glacier National Park

Diagram – Hydrologic Cycle• Advection - the transfer of heat or matter by the flow of a fluid, esp.

horizontally in the atmosphere or the sea.

Vocabulary

• Evaporation • Transpiration• Evapotranspiration• Sublimation• Advection• Condensation• Gulf Stream• Desertification • Condensation• Runoff • Groundwater

Earth’s Water

• Total volume of water on Earth is approximately 326 million trillion gallons. – That would be 20 decimals and (I looked this up)

would be 326 quintillions. • Question: if Earth’s water could fit into a

gallon container, what percent do you think would be available to us? – Think about the forms of water.

Changes in Hydrologic Cycle

Examples: change in Gulf Stream and desertification

Gulfstream

Gulfstream Infrared Satellite

How the Gulfstream Works• Of all the ocean currents, the Gulf Stream is one of the

strongest. It brings warmth to Europe and North America.

• Surface water in the north Atlantic is cooled by winds from the Arctic.

• It becomes more salty and more dense, which makes it sink to the ocean floor.

• Cold water then moves towards the equator where it slowly warms.

• To replace all this cold water, the Gulf Stream moves warm water from the Gulf of Mexico to the North Atlantic.

How the Gulfstream Works

• Could global warming affect the Gulf Stream?• At the end of last Ice Age ended (10,000 years

ago), huge amounts of ice melted.• Because the new freshwater, the water in the

North Atlantic became less salty. • The ocean water in the North Atlantic was

less dense, and did not sink. • This caused the Gulf Stream to shut down.

How the Gulfstream Works

• Temperatures in north-west Europe fell by 5°C in just a few decades.

• Something similar could happen today: an increase in global temperatures and precipitation could add a lot more freshwater to the north Atlantic.

If the Gulfstream Shuts Down• Implications• A reduced Gulf Stream - lower temperatures in

northwest Europe and northeast US.• However, there is debate over whether the

Gulfstream shutting down would protect northwest Europe or northeast US from elevated temperatures.– Most models say no.

• Major ecological effects on marine life – and potential for major economic losses.

Gulf Stream

• Illustrate the Gulf Stream.– Identify where it is.– How does the Gulf Stream current work?• What is the mechanism that moves the water?

– What is the effect of the Gulf Stream?– What might change the Gulf Stream?

Desertification - Honduras

Desertification – as it progresses

Desertification

Not just a third world problem• Dust bowl – southern plains

High Water Stress Areas

How would you define desertification?

• Take a minute and think about desertification.• With the pictures you have seen, define

desertification.• Formal definition: "the process of fertile land

transforming into desert typically as a result of deforestation, drought or improper/inappropriate agriculture“

• In some cases desertification can be stopped and “revert back” to normal state.– The ecosystem changes need to be halted.

Question

• Can desertification cause climatic changes?– What might those changes be?

• How could the hydrologic cycle be affected locally? – What would happen to the evaporation?– Transpiration?– Condensation?– Precipitation?– Infiltration of water to the water table?

Activity

• Illustrate the hydrologic cycle.– Identify all of the different components.– Indicate how they are related.– Make sure you identify the three phases of water

and where they occur (where are the water sinks).