What is the Water Cycle?

The water cycle, one of the most fundamental and vital processes on Earth, is critical for the continuity of life on the planet. This cycle is closely related to processes such as the regulation of climates and the renewal of natural resources. The water cycle is as regular as it is complex. Let us take a closer look at the stages of the water cycle, its importance on Earth and the effects of human interventions on this cycle.

Hydrological Cycle (Water Cycle)

Water, one of the most basic elements required to ensure the continuity of life on Earth, is in a continuous cycle between the atmosphere, the earth, and the underground. This continuous movement of water in different forms is known as the water cycle, also known as the hydrological cycle.

The water cycle, which has been ongoing for 4.5 billion years, is frequently characterized as a simple circular cycle of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, but it is inherently much more complex.

What are the Main Processes of the Water Cycle?

The water cycle consists of several main stages that follow one another. These movements of water do not have a starting or ending point. By examining the stages of the water cycle one by one, we can better understand how it works.

1. Evaporation (Evaporation)

It is the process of water turning from liquid to gas. Evaporation is when the sun heats the water in seas, oceans, lakes, and rivers and turns it into water vapor. This step of the cycle has a particularly major place in terms of sustainability because, during evaporation, salty water undergoes desalination and returns to the earth as fresh water. This allows living things to continue their lives.

2. Sublimation

It is a process like vaporization. However, in this process, water in solid form turns directly into gas. An example of this is the evaporation of glaciers without turning into water.

3. Perspiration

It is the stage in which plants return the water they take from the soil with their roots to the atmosphere in the form of water vapor through small pores in the lower parts of their leaves. This process is commonly known as transpiration. Most of the water on earth returns to the atmosphere through this process of transpiration. The combined effect of evaporation and transpiration is known as evapotranspiration.

4. Condensation

This process is the transition of water vapor back into a liquid state. As the vaporized water molecules rise higher in the atmosphere, they begin to cool and condense. Thus, gaseous water molecules turn into water droplets and form clouds.

5. Precipitation

Water that rises into the atmosphere eventually returns to the Earth. The process by which water vapor moves through the sky due to factors like wind is termed advection. This mechanism allows water vapor to move to different regions of the planet, where it falls back to the Earth as precipitation due to temperature differences. When the condensed water droplets reach saturation in the clouds they form, they lead to precipitation. Precipitation can manifest in various forms, such as rain, snow, hail, or dew.

6. Surface Runoff

A segment of the precipitation that reaches the Earth’s surface remains unabsorbed by the soil. This water, which remains on the surface, collects in rivers, streams, and lakes, forming surface runoff. The runoff then flows into both large and small bodies of water. The process by which precipitation water permeates the soil and replenishes underground reservoirs is known as infiltration.

7. Underground Water Flow

It is a process by which water that goes underground can accumulate over time and resurface through wells, springs, and underground rivers. This accumulated water then evaporates again, continuing the water cycle.

How is Water Distributed on Earth?

Saltwater makes up 97% of the Earth’s water. More than 99% of the rest is groundwater or glaciers. Less than 1% of fresh water is found in lakes, rivers, and other surface forms. A considerable proportion of living things depend on this fresh water. On a global scale, the Earth can be considered as a planet covered with water. However, the freshwater needed in terms of quality constitutes only 0.01% of the total amount of water.

What is The Importance of the Water Cycle for Sustainability?

The water cycle is an indispensable process for a sustainable environment and therefore for the continuity of life. Overuse and misuse can lead to a decrease in water resources over time and damage many freshwater ecosystems around the world.

Irregular rainfall brings many environmental problems such as water scarcity, floods, and drought. Therefore, from a sustainability perspective, the importance of the water cycle becomes even more evident.

We can list the important effects of the water cycle on earth as follows:

• Freshwater Resources: The water cycle ensures the continuous renewal of freshwater sources. Precipitation helps to feed lakes, rivers, and groundwater. This cycle allows for the preservation of the amount of water available for living organisms. For a sustainable water cycle, the movement of water must be able to continue uninterrupted.
• Climate: Temperature changes, global and local climate regulation are closely related to the water cycle. The movement of water plays a vital role in regulating climates on the planet. When water evaporates, it cools the surroundings by taking energy. When it condenses, it releases this energy and begins to warm the surroundings. These changing heat movements can have great effects on climates.
• Ecosystem and Biodiversity: The water cycle also plays a critical role in ecosystem sustainability. Changes in the water cycle can cause biodiversity to decline over time as the ecosystem overheats or cools. For example, some studies have shown a 20% decrease in the productivity of salmon due to their inability to adapt to new temperatures. As a result, it has been observed that the lives of other species that depend on salmon for food are also at risk. Therefore, adequate water supply and stabilized temperature levels are crucial factors in the functioning of ecosystems and the protection of species’ habitats.
• Health of Living Things: On average, 65-75% of all living things (depending on their structural characteristics) are composed of water. Therefore, the presence of water is important for the continuation of vital functions. With the disruption of the processes in the water cycle, water pollution and thus various health problems may arise.
• Agriculture and Food Security: Sustainable management of water resources is also critical for the continuity of agricultural production. Because the continuity of agriculture depends entirely on water. The water cycle supports the regular irrigation of agricultural land and the efficient growth of crops. Therefore, regular rainfall increases the productivity of agricultural products and ensures the continuity of food supply.
• Energy Production: Hydroelectric power generation, which has become widespread today, is also dependent on the water cycle. The regular flow of water in rivers allows power plants to operate efficiently. The water cycle also contributes to the support of other renewable energy sources.

Sustainability of the water cycle covers a wide range of issues, from the protection of ecosystems to the sustainability of human activities. In this context, maintaining the continuity of the water cycle ensures that current needs are satisfied while also preserving the quality of life for future generations.

What are the Negative Impacts of Human Activities on the Water Cycle?

The negative impacts of human activities on the water cycle and ecosystem are quite high. These impacts can cause major changes from the quality to the quantity of water. We can list the human activities that cause negative impacts on the water cycle and some of the situations caused by them as follows:

• Increasing Urbanization: The problem of rapid and irregular urbanization has many negative impacts on water resources. Destruction of forests and natural vegetation reduces the absorption of water by the soil. For example, urbanization affects natural waterways, preventing water from seeping underground. Surface runoff increases, leading to flood risk. In addition, the demand for fresh water increases with expanding cities. These high demands, which cannot be met by existing resources, lead to massive withdrawals from rivers and groundwater. This situation jeopardizes ecosystems and paves the way for water scarcity.
• Industrial Pollution: Factories can cause considerable damage to ecosystems by releasing polluted water into nature without treatment and consuming too much water.
• Use of Harmful Chemicals in Agriculture: Substances such as harmful chemicals, artificial fertilizers and pesticides used in agriculture can cause great damage to water resources. The increase in the amount of polluted water causes both a decrease in the quality of drinking water that living things need to sustain their lives and a decrease in overall biodiversity.
• Greenhouse Gases: Greenhouse gases from human activities can cause climate change. This is a crucial factor that can negatively affect the water cycle. Such climate and temperature changes complicate the sustainable management of water resources.
• Large Water Storage Areas: Storing water in certain areas with dams and similar water storage structures is one of the situations that negatively affect the natural water cycle. These areas change the natural flow of large or small water bodies, prevent fish migration and cause drought. In addition, stored water can also be lost through evaporation.

What Can Be Done to Make the Water Cycle Sustainable?

Sustainability of the water cycle is essential for the healthy continuation of life on the planet. It is possible to ensure that the cycle continues in a healthy way with a variety of methods and strategies that will ensure the protection of water. We can examine in detail the steps that can be taken at the individual and social level for the sustainability of the water cycle.

Sustainability of the Water Cycle: Individual Measures

Ensuring the sustainability of the water cycle is of immense importance for the protection of natural resources and their healthy transfer to the future. Individual measures can both save water and contribute to reducing water pollution.

Some of the individual measures that can be taken to ensure the sustainability of the water cycle are as follows:

• Saving Water Consumption: To conserve natural resources more efficiently, everyone can help save water by reducing the amount of water they use per day. Minor changes such as paying attention to wasted water when brushing teeth or shaving, washing dishes and clothes in machines rather than by hand, taking shorter showers, and using water-saving showerheads and photocell faucets can have a significant impact when spread throughout society.
• Rainwater Collection: Collecting rainwater is one of the most efficient ways to use natural resources. Individuals can collect rainwater by installing rain barrels in the gardens or terraces of their homes and choose to use this water when needed. This collected rainwater can be used for plant and garden irrigation and cleaning in homes or offices, saving water.
• Widespread Use of Smart Irrigation Systems: During garden irrigation, a sizable portion of water resources are often used inefficiently. Smart irrigation systems monitor weather conditions, soil moisture, and help irrigation according to the needs of plants. Thanks to these systems, unnecessary water use undergoes significant reduction.
• Use of Natural Cleaning Products: Garbage such as chemical products and waste oil can cause considerable damage to the water cycle when they are left unconsciously in nature. For this reason, water pollution can be reduced by preferring the use of natural cleaning products that do not contain chemicals, are biodegradable and do not harm nature.
• Repairing Leaky Faucets and Pipes: Individuals can have regular plumbing checks at home and workplaces to prevent water loss. In this way, they can quickly notice water leaks and have them repaired.

Sustainability of the Water Cycle: Social Measures

Social efforts are of immense importance in protecting water resources, optimizing water use, and keeping the water cycle in balance. In addition to individual measures, water conservation can be achieved more effectively through social cooperation and conscious actions.

Certain social measures that can be implemented to ensure the sustainability of the water cycle are as follows:

• Education Programs: Trainings can be organized to improve the environmental awareness of individuals and raise their awareness on the importance of saving water. Social awareness can be created by organizing training programs for the efficient use and protection of water resources. Thus, society can make informed choices that can contribute to the protection of water resources and ecological balance for a sustainable future.
• Water Treatment Plants: Wastewater treatment plants can be considered as recovery systems. These facilities collect and treat the water used by people and the wastewater generated because of industrial activities. Thus, these waters are made suitable for reuse. Studies can be carried out to increase the number of such modern water treatment facilities that improve water quality and reuse wastewater. In this way, both the consumption of natural resources and water use costs can be reduced over time.
• Saving Irrigation Techniques: Farmers can be directed to water-saving irrigation methods such as drip irrigation and automatic irrigation systems or encouraged to use technological products such as moisture sensors. In addition, studies for systems that can enable the reuse of treated water from showers and sinks, called gray water, in agricultural areas can also be expanded.
• Infrastructure Projects: Regular maintenance and follow-up work can be carried out on leaks and leakages in water networks. For example, Adrian McDonald, professor of environmental management at the University of Leeds, argues that repairing leaking water pipes as quickly as possible is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to save water. Regular monitoring can help to minimize water losses by quickly fixing leaking pipes in the event of a problem.
• Protection of Forests and Natural Areas: Protecting and increasing forests and natural areas is the easiest, natural, and economical way to access clean water. Therefore, innovative strategies can be developed to increase the water retention capacity of forests and other natural areas.
• Saving Water Clocks: Saving water clocks can be installed in homes and workplaces to measure the amount of water used. In this way, water consumption can be kept under control by giving necessary warnings in case of excessive water consumption.
• Water Basins: Water basins protect water resources and support the use of existing water for a longer period. Therefore, increasing the number of water basins and protecting existing ones is a critical issue for the sustainability of the water cycle. In addition, watersheds reduce the risk of floods that may occur when rain and snow water accumulate and help the accumulated water to be released into the soil in a more balanced and slow manner.

In addition to individual and social efforts, steps to be taken in the industrial field can also ensure that the water cycle continues in a healthy way. In this sense, water efficiency can be achieved using technological innovations, recycling, and reuse; water pollution can be prevented through waste management, clean production techniques and compliance with environmental standards; and sustainable water resources can be managed through risk assessment and management planning.

As QuickCarbon, we recognize the importance of water for our planet and guide those who want to join the journey of environmental sustainability. We calculate and report the Corporate Carbon Footprints of organizations according to ISO 14064-1:2018 Standard and GHG Protocol without the need for any consultancy services. Thus, we guide them to take strong steps towards environmental sustainability.

You can contact us to optimize your resource management, reduce your costs and achieve your sustainability goals more easily. While improving your environmental performance, you can take important steps for the sustainability of the water cycle.