Sunday, July 12, 2020

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2020 13 JAMAICA WELLS AND SERVICES 50TH ANNIVERSARY What you need to know Perhaps the most important natural phenomenon on Earth, the hydrologic cycle describes the constant movement and endless recycling of water among the at- mosphere, land surface, and under the ground. The hydrologic cycle supplies the force needed for most natural processes, thus supporting life itself. What are the key components of the hydrologic cycle? The water in the hydrologic cycle is stored in any of the following res- ervoirs: the atmosphere, oceans, lakes, rivers, soils, glaciers, snow- fields, and under the Earth’s surface as groundwater. How does it work? Water vapour is transported by wind and air currents through the atmosphere. When the air cools, the water vapour condenses in the clouds and falls to the Earth in four fashions: rain, snow, sleet, or hail. When it hits the ground, water can take many paths back to the atmosphere. It can be absorbed by plants; stored on the surface in a lake, river, stream, or ocean; evapo- rated due to the Sun; absorbed into the soil temporarily; or pulled by gravity through the soil to be stored for years as groundwater. Someofthewaterinthegroundcan returntothesurfaceassupplywaterin lakes and rivers. Water on the ground surface can rejoin the atmosphere through evaporation. The water used by plants can go back to the atmos- phere through a process known as transpiration.Transpirationtakesplace whenwaterpassesthroughtheleaves ofplants.Evaporationandtranspiration –knowncollectivelyasevapotranspira- tion–occurduringtimesofdryair,sun- shine, or high temperatures andwind. Is the water always moving? If so, how is it moving? Water is always moving. The movement is driven by the energy of the Sun and the force of gravity. What role do droughts and floods play in the hydrologic cycle? While they are major changes for people, droughts and floods are de- fined as small changes in the quan- tities of water located in the various segments of the cycle. The amount of water is always changing, often due to the sea- son of the year. For example, spring rains, dry summers, and winter snow storms all affect the amount of water in a segment of the cycle. Do all of the droughts taking place in Jamaica and around the world mean that there is not much water left on the Earth? The amount of water on Earth has, essentially, never changed. It is continuously being recycled and moving from one place – or reser- voir – to another. Does the hydrologic cycle mean that there will always be water? While the amount of water in cer- tain places fluctuates, the hydro- logic cycle provides a reliable supply of water by annually replenishing or recharging surface and ground- water sources. Water levels will go down at times when evaporation, transpiration, and human needs ex- ceed precipitation. However, that is offset when replenishment such as rain and snow exceed removal. Is there anything water-well system owners can do to ensure that they have an adequate supply of water? To provide a reliable water source for all of your family’s needs, you should invest in a properly designed well system with a supply tank for adequate storage during dry times. A professional water-well contractor can help make sure that you have the proper amount of water storage. – WellOwner.org Understanding the hydrologic cycle 7 Belmont Road, Kingston 5 Telephone: (876) 920-1004-6 Digicel: (876) 619-0717/1145 Telephone USA: (954) 376-4321 Telephone Canada: (905) 963-3401 Fax: (876) 920-2790 Email: jggandco@gmail.com on this milestone. We wish you well as you continue your journey of excellence. from