Hydrology

OLGA E. SCARPATI

Encyclopedy of Life Support Systems. (EOLSS)

Eolss Publishers

Lugar: Oxford ,UK; Año: 2006; p. 1 - 38

Hydrology is the science that treats of the waters of the Earth, their occurrence, circulation and distribution, their chemical and physical properties, and their reaction with their environment, including their relation to living things. Hydrology can be seen as the scientific examination and appraisal of the whole continuum of a water cycle, which takes place at the three parts of the total earth system: atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. The study of main components of the hydrological cycle: precipitation, interception, infiltration,  evapotranspiration,  soil moisture,  subsurface flow, groundwater, runoff and stream discharge, are included. At the present time rising populations and improving living standards are placing increasing pressures on available water resources. There is, in general, no shortage of water on the Earth ‘s land surface, but the areas of surplus water are often located far from major centres of population.