Biogeochemical Cycles and Water Cycle Processes

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What are biogeochemical cycles?

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Biogeochemical cycles describe how water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus pass from the physical environment to living organisms.

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What is evaporation?

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Evaporation is a process that turns a liquid into a gas. It's a natural part of the water cycle and occurs when a liquid is heated or exposed to air.

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What is transpiration?

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Transpiration is the process by which plants release water vapor into the atmosphere through their leaves. It's part of the water cycle and helps plants cool themselves.

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What is precipitation?

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Precipitation occurs when water droplets in clouds become large enough to fall to the earth as rain, sleet, or snow.

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What happens to water after it returns to the earth?

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Some of the water is absorbed by plants through their roots, while other water seeps into the soil to become groundwater in a process known as percolation.

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What is runoff?

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Runoff is surface water found on land that is eventually carried back to an ocean or lake.

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What is condensation?

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Condensation is the process where water vapor in the air cools and condenses to form clouds.

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What is infiltration?

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Infiltration is the process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil. It is a crucial part of the water cycle, affecting groundwater recharge and surface runoff.

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What is the water table?

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The water table is the upper surface of the zone of saturation, where the soil or rocks are permanently saturated with water. It can rise or fall depending on factors like rainfall and groundwater extraction.

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What is sublimation?

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Sublimation is the process where ice and snow change directly into water vapor without first melting into water. This process is part of the water cycle and occurs under specific conditions of temperature and pressure.