HYDROLOGY

Definition: This includes the study of water as it occurs in the atmosphere

as well as on and below the surface of the earth.
The thin spherical shell of thickness about 10 km (hydrosphere) at the surface
of Planet Earth is unique in the universe because it has abundant amounts of
water substance in all three phases: solid, liquid and vapour. Water substance
has played a critical role in the evolution of the earths atmosphere and surface
environment, including the development of biological organisms.
The importance of water, particularly fresh water (as opposed to saline ocean
water), in human activities cannot be overstated. Freshwater scarcity already is
taking its toll on the African continent and likely will be a limiting factor in future
sustainable economic development. Present full commitments of river and
lake water for human consumption coupled with water shortages in many regions
and expanding future water needs for industrialization, agriculture, and a growing
population will put new strains on water supplies.

The hydrologic Cycle

Figure 1. The hydrologic cycle

Water circulates in the hydrosphere through paths constituting the hydrologic
cycle. In short hydrologic cycle is the occurrence and inter-relation between
water in the atmosphere as well as on and below the surface of the earth. The
cycle has no beginning and end, and its many process occur simultaneously.
The hydrologic process consist primarily of the following processes:

Vapors. Vapors are the water molecules in gaseous form. When the vapors
begin to condense around dust particles in the air, one can see the
development as clouds. When enough condensation occurs, precipitation falls
from the cloud.
Evaporation and transpiration. Evaporation may be from the surface of
ground, from free water surfaces, from the atmosphere during precipitation or
from the leaves of plants through transpiration.
Precipitation. Precipitation is the act of moisture falling from the clouds in
any way or form (rain, snow, sleet, or hail).
Runoff. Runoff is the excess water flowing off the land. This is water that
was unable to infiltrate the soil. Plants, plant residue, and other debris on the
land can help stop or slow the water flow and give it the opportunity to seep
into the soil.
Infiltration. Infiltration is the process of water moving down through the soil
and is used by vegetation. Any pollutants dissolved in the water will enter the
soil along with it. This is how accidents such as a chemical spill can
contaminate groundwater.
Deep Percolation. Deep percolation is the process of water continuing to
move through the soil at lower levels. This is very similar to infiltration .
Aquifer. An aquifer is a layer of ground that allows water to pass through
easily.
Observation Well. An observation well monitors the level of the water table
in the ground.

Hydrologic system: A structure of volume of space surrounded by a boundary

that:
1) Accepts water and other inputs
2) Operates on the internally
3) Produces them as outputs.

Structure
Inputs or Outputs
Volume
water, etc water, etc
Operates

Residence Time, Tr
This is the average duration for a water molecule to PASS through a subsystem
of the hydrologic cycle.
Tr = S/Q Where, S = volume of water storage in the subsystem.
Q = Flow rate in the subsystem.
Example
Evaluate Tr for the atmosphere?
Soln
S = vol. Of atmospheric water = 12,900 km3.
Q = flow rate of atmospheric moisture = 458,000 + 119,000 km 3/yr.
Tr = 0.022 yrs 8.2 days.
Homework
Evaluate Tr for the rivers?

Importance of water for global processes

Water also is a key element in many natural functions of the planet. For
instance, a map of global vegetation patterns correlates very strongly with
global land precipitation patterns: rainfall is a strong regulator of vegetation.
Since fresh water has a lower density than salt water of the same
temperature, fresh water from precipitation or snow/ice melt may ride on top
of more salty water and thereby influence the vertical mixing in oceans and
also global ocean circulation patterns.
Water in the form of hydropower also is a source of renewable energy as a
byproduct of evaporation of sea and lake water and subsequent precipitation
at high altitudes producing stream and river flow.
Another critical aspect of water is its role as a medium for ecosystem
functioning. Many chemical, physical, and biological processes take place in
water bodies or in the presence of water in soil. These provide critical
transformations that allow diversity of ecological systems.

Components of the global hydrological cycle

The following are reservoirs of the global hydrological cycle:
1. Global oceans
2. Ice masses
3. Continental seasonal snow
4. Surface fresh water
Lakes Rivers Wetlands
5. Subsurface water
Soil moisture Ground water

6. Biospheric water
7. Atmospheric water vapour
8. Clouds
Liquid Ice

Role of the global hydrological cycle in global change

A. Surface fresh water
The need of humans and terrestrial animals for fresh water and the high cost
of desalinization have put an increasing demand on global supplies of fresh
water. In addition to its uses for direct consumption by humans and animals,
and for cleaning, agriculture, and power production, fresh water bodies
provide a source of food and ecosystem services previously described. River
 valleys running through dry regions form riparian zones that have much
higher biological diversity than the arid surroundings.
Marshes and wetlands are bodies of fresh surface water that have particularly
rich ecological diversity. These bodies support not only their own diversity but
provide an ecological service in their ability to break down anthropogenic
chemicals such as agricultural fertilizers and pesticides.

B. Subsurface water
Soil moisture, groundwater, and water in deep aquifers compose different
forms of subsurface water that impact or are impacted by global change.
Soil moisture provides the basic nutrient for plant growth and a reservoir for
precipitation storage. By supplying moisture to the soil surface and to plants
at a regulated rate depending on soil characteristics, soil moisture also
influences surface evaporation and evapotranspiration (water loss by plants)
and hence the global energy budget. By slowly delivering water to the surface
and to plants over a period of weeks to months, soil moisture introduces a
seasonal timescale into the climate system. A climate model with an
inappropriate soil moisture submodel may allow its simulated soil to dry out
too fast or too slow and cause, respectively, excessive or insufficient heating
at the soil surface.
Ground water includes near surface aquifers that frequently are tapped by
wells for human consumption, agricultural irrigation, and industrial uses. Their
proximity to the surface and occasional direct connection to surface water,
leave ground water supplies vulnerable to contamination from surface
pollutants.
Deep aquifers represent water bodies that have been created thousands or
more years ago by slow geo-climatic processes, and their water is sometimes
referred to as "fossil water".
Factors influencing hydrology
1 Mans activities- deforestation/ afforestration.
2 Geology influences topography and groundwater flow.
3 Topography affects precipitation, occurrence of lakes, marshland and
rates of runoff.
4 Climate affects evaporation and transpiration and other whether
parameters.

Applications of hydrology
1 Planning construction of hydrological structures e.g dams, reservoirs
2 Planning agricultural activities e.g Irrigation projects, livestock farms
3 Establishment of factors such as:
i) expected quantity of precipitation.
ii) length of drought.
iii) how much runoff is lost as evaporation.
iv) storage facilities and their capacities.