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Evaporation: This is the first phase of the hydrological cycle. The evaporation of
the water starts from the surface of the ocean and includes the transpiration that
the plants perform. It consists of the transformation of water into water vapor. A
measure that rises, the air moistened in the water and the steam is transformed
into water. This is what is called condensation. Condensed water from a place to
the formation of fog and clouds and, subsequently, a precipitation.
When evaporating, water eliminates all the elements that contaminate or make it
unfit for drinking (mineral salts, chemicals, waste). Thus, the hydrological cycle
gives us pure water. The transpiration of plants is a process that also purifies water
and is part of the cycle.
The transpiration of plants in the following phenomenon: The roots absorb water,
which moves up through the stems, transporting the elements needed by the plant
to nourish it. When it reaches the leaves and flowers, it evaporates into the air in
the form of water vapor.
Precipitation: This is the phase following condensation. When the water vapor is in
the atmosphere, there is condensation and it falls to the Earth. The drops meet and
form a cloud, then fall by their own weight. If in the atmosphere it is very cold, the
water falls like snow or hail. If it is warmer, drops of rain fall.
Water precipitated as snow presents with a crystalline structure and with the
granular structure in the case of hail. Precipitation also includes dew, water that
passes from the atmosphere to the earth's surface by the condensation of water
vapor.
Runoff: When precipitation reaches the earth, one part is taken advantage of by
living beings and the other falls or flows in rivers and streams and under the
surface of the ground (groundwater). This phenomenon is called runoff.
Surface runoff is concentrated in furrows and originates the water lines. The water
of rest infiltrates, penetrates inside the floor. This infiltrated water can return to the
atmosphere by evaporation - perspiration or deepen until reaching the water
tables. Sooner or later, all this water returns to the atmosphere again.
Storage: Water from precipitation is stored in oceans and lakes, in rivers and
streams, and on the ground. A little more than 97% of the total water of the Earth
(1,400 Km3) is in the oceans in the form of salt water. Fresh water is found in
glaciers, ice sheets, lakes and rivers. They are also found in groundwater and
rocks.