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Explore»Education and Science (30,929)»Geology and Atmospheric Science
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by Teresa Coppens
What are the Steps of the Water Cycle?
Source: Kieff, CC-BY-SA=3.0, via Wiki Commons
Some scientists now believe that Earth's water derived from a thick
hydrogen-rich layer which reacted with oxides in the Earth's mantle
creating water which filled basins forming our lakes and seas. Earlier
scientists believed that in the very hot and dry period of Earth's history
shortly after its formation (about 3.8 billion years ago), millions of
asteroids and comets which were water-rich collided with our planet
creating the oceans and seas.
Because water is essential to both the origin and continual evolution of life
on Earth, where this life-giving nutrient ultimately came from has
fascinated scientists for decades and the debate of where our water
originated continues today.
Not only is there debate regarding the origin of water on Earth, there is
also a new theory regarding the system of water 'recycling' throughout our
planet. The original theory of water cycling on earth came from Bernard
Palissy in 1580 who theorized an atmospheric water cycle which is a
closed system meaning water neither leaves or enters Earth. Recently, a
new definition of the cyclical nature of water has been proposed by William
Waterway which demonstrates an interaction between three water cycles the oceanic, atmospheric and cosmic.
Below is a USGS graphic of Earth’s “atmospheric water cycle,” which is the
definition given to us 333 years ago by Bernard Palissy, and is the
definition that has been taught in schools for hundreds of years.
The Traditional Atmospheric Water Cycle
Bernard Palissy developed the original theory of the cyclical nature of
water 430 years ago. His water cycle definition was published in his book,
Discours Admirables. His theory describes a closed system where the
quantity of water on Earth remains constant but is in constant motion. The
same water molecules according to Palissy have been constantly recycled
around the Earth since their appearance over 3 billion years ago. The
endless circulation of water occurs through the processes of evaporation,
condensation, and precipitation.
A graphical representation of the global hydrological exchanges
Source: Anishct (Own work) [Public domain], via Wiki Commons
The Atmospheric Water Cycle is powered by the sun. Water is stored on
earth in oceans, lakes, streams and groundwater. It is also stored in the
atmosphere in the form of water vapour and condensation in the form of
clouds.
• During evaporation, sun's energy heats up water molecules, in all
water bodies, enough that they break free of the attractive forces
keeping them together as a liquid.
• The molecules become a gas or vapour rising up into the atmosphere.
• Snow may also sublimate directly into vapour from the solid state
sending water vapour into the atmosphere.
• Plants contain enormous amounts of water and their leaves have pores
through which water escapes in a process known as
evapotranspiration.
• 5 to 10 times as much water is transpired by plants as they can hold at
any one time.
• Water vapour rises into the air and as it does so it cools, turning back
into liquid water or solid water (ice, hail, or snow) which collects on
tiny particles of dust.
• This process is known as condensation and a large collection of these
water particles forms clouds of liquid or solid water.
• Precipitation in the form of rain, snow, sleet or hail comes from clouds.
• When enough condensation has collected and the cloud is 'heavy'
enough precipitate falls to earth.
• Runoff results from rain or snowmelt that flows down hill into streams,
lakes and oceans.
• Runoff is visible as the water stored in the river and lake basins drains
out.
• Percolation of some precipitation occurs.
• This water seeps into cracks, pores and joints of soil and rocks until it
reaches the water table where it becomes groundwater.
• Groundwater is underground water held in cracks and pores of
subterranean rock, sand and gravel.
• Some groundwater supports streams and some is tapped for wells in
rural areas.
• Some groundwater is extremely old and may have existed as such for
thousands of years.
• Although the hydrologic cycle balances the amount of water entering the
atmosphere, with the amount of precipitation returning to earth,
there is an imbalance in temperate climates. For example, during the
Canadian winter, most precipitate is frozen and locked up in solid
form on the ground as snow or ice. During the spring thaw, huge
amounts of liquid water are quickly released into water bodies
creating huge spring runoff and flooding.
Source: NASA, PDUSGov, via Wiki Commons
Climate plays an important role in the hydrologic cycle as average
temperatures are important in the amount of rainfall an area will receive.
However, water itself, has an important impact on the climate of a given
area.
• Large bodies of water trap enormous quantities of heat.
• Areas near large bodies of water will have a moderation of their climate
due to their proximity to this large water body.
• In the winter, these areas experience milder temperatures as the heat
stored within the water body is slowly released to the surrounding
atmosphere.
• The opposite is true in the summer months when a cooling affect is
experienced due to the massive amounts of heat being absorbed by
the water.
Water also acts as an energy transfer and storage medium for the climate
system.
• Evaporation of water requires an enormous amount of energy from the
sun which is trapped in water vapour.
• As the water vapour condenses to precipitation, this energy is released
again as heat. This is one of the processes that has made life
possible on earth.
• Fresh water stored on earth in the forms of glaciers, snow and ice
contains trapped latent or potential energy; thus, also moderating
the earth's climate.
Understanding of the “atmospheric water cycle” is very important in
understanding other chemical processes and cycles of our planet as all
tend to have overlapping components. It is important remember that the
water cycle definition taught in schools around the world today is based on
the atmospheric water cycle definition provided by Bernard Pailissy 333
years ago.
A New Definition of Earth’s Water Cycle
Today, there is a new definition of the cyclical nature of water that has
been proposed by William Waterway which demonstrates an interaction
between three water cycles - the oceanic, atmospheric and cosmic. This
new water cycle is called the “waterway cycle” to differentiate it from the
old definition that has been taught for hundreds of years by the name of
the “water cycle”.
Based on new research by award-winning author, William Waterway, it is now
understood that Palissy’s definition only included what is now known as the
"atmospheric water cycle." Because of this new research, we now know that Earth’s
water cycle is an
Source: William Waterway (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wiki Commons
New Theory: The Waterway Cycle
William Waterway completed years of research and observations of the
cyclical nature of water and presented a new definition for Earth's water
cycle at the International Symposium of Aqua Science and Water
Resources. This new research, although still supporting the Atmospheric
Cycle of Palissy to some extent, suggests a more interactive nature of
Earth's water cycle which has been named the waterway cycle.
• Earth's water cycle is now seen as more of an open system connecting
our water resources from the molten inner core of Earth to water
present in the surrounding universe.
• The waterway cycle is composed of three interacting cycles:
1.
The Oceanic water cycle;
2.
The Atmospheric water cycle;
3.
The Cosmic water cycle.
1. The Oceanic Water Cycle:
• Depends upon research suggesting that oceanic water circulates
towards the core of our planet due to colliding tectonic plates.
• As one plate collides with another and sinks below that plate, sea floor
saturated with water also sinks below abutting plates.
• The sea water saturating the sinking plates becomes superheated by
the earth's core, melting the mantle overtop of them creating magma
and gas vents.
• These gas vents, called mid-ocean ridges, circulate ancient seawater
through deep ocean fractures.
• These vents create new sea floor.
• Magma venting onto land creates new landmass.
• Through this process, it is suggested that all of the oceans waters are
recycled every 6 to 8 million years.
• This particular water cycle is important in maintaining the mineral and
biochemical revitilization of our oceans and continents.
• It supports continued biodiversity of our planet.
2. The Atmospheric Water Cycle
• This cycle is based on Palissy's work from 1580 and is supported still
today as part of the larger picture of our Earth's recycling of water.
• It is sun driven.
• It involves the processes of evaporation, condensation, precipitation,
and collection in basins due to runoff.
• This cycle is essential in maintaining atmospheric and surface water
supplies and supporting the Earth's biodiversity.
3. The Cosmic Water Cycle
• This cycle is based on the most recent research.
• Extraterrestrial water was first documented as having entered the Earth's
atmosphere in 1999.
• Meterorites and asteroids and other sources bring water with them when
they enter our atmosphere.
• When these cosmic sources of water enter our lower atmosphere, not
only water but other bio-molecules such as amino acids are
deposited.
• Not only does Earth gain water from space, it also loses a small quantity
due to solar wind and other influences.
• It is estimated that the Earth loses a ton of atmosphere to space every
hour along with the water vapour associated with that atmosphere.
• Although the amount of water involved in the Cosmic Water cycle is very
small, it is now considered to be an essential contribution to Earth's
biodiversity.
Without water, life on earth as we know it would not exist. The water
present on our Earth owes its presence to a more complex series of cycles
than previously understood. From the Earth's core, to the surrounding
universe, water sources interact providing us with the continual cycling of
this life-giving compound which has resulted in the tremendous diversity of
life found on our planet.
Resources Used
Environment Canada. Water. The Hydrologic Cycle. March 17, 2011
Muir, Hazel. New Scientist:Space. Earth's Water Brewed at Home not in
Space. September 25, 2007
Waterway, William. Water Cycle - New Definition. 2012