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THE CIRCULATION OF WATER IN THE INTERIOR OF THE EARTHThe term hydrologic cycle (from the Greek hydro-, meaning "water") refers to the complex system whereby water circulates among its various reservoirs at and near the surface of the Earth. The hydrologic cycle is the global-scale, endless recirculatory process linking water in the atmosphere, on the continents, and in the oceans.
Lead-in Work in pairs. Look at the following diagrams. What do they show? How would you entitle them? Ask questions to find out more information.
Fig.1. Hydrologic cycle
Fig.2. Cross- section of hydrologic cycle
Look at the figure of the hydrologic cycle below. What do the given values mean? Fig.3. Hydrologic cycle What do the arrows on the figure mean? Match the terms (in clouds) with the arrows.
1. Read the following word formations and remember their pronunciation. evaporate – evaporation – evaporative precipitate – precipitation – precipitable accumulate – accumulation – accumulative infiltrate – infiltration – infiltrated circulate – circulation – circulatory – recirculatory store – storage – stored saturate – saturation – saturated retain – retaining charge – recharge – discharge 2. Read the text “Hydrologic cycle”. Pay attention to the diagram. Do the exercises after the text. Fig.4. Diagram of the hydrologic cycle Hydrologic Cycle The term hydrologic cycle (from the Greek hydro-, meaning "water") refers to the complex system whereby water circulates among its various reservoirs at and near the surface of the Earth. These reservoirs include the oceans, the atmosphere, underground water, surface water, glaciers, and the polar ice caps. The hydrologic cycle pervades our terrestrial existence, playing a key role in many natural phenomena. It is directly coupled to the Earth's energy cycle, because solar radiation combines with gravity to drive the global circulation of water. This circulation, in turn, plays an important role in the heat balance of the Earth's surface.
The hydrologic cycle is also closely linked to the geosphere and its rock cycle. Water erodes geologic materials, and the breakdown of these materials releases many chemical constituents that in turn define the chemical nature of the water. Water can also build geologic formations, through both chemical and mechanical depositional processes. Water is essential to all life forms in the planetary biosphere. Even the slightest differences in the volumes and chemical compositions of natural waters can have a tremendous impact on biologic communities. As such an essential natural resource, water is of major concern in local, regional, and international law, and has been at the root of many international conflicts. (Patricia A.Maurice Earth Systems:Processes and Issues, 2000,Cambridge University Press) Date: 2016-01-14; view: 824
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