Runoff & Transportation In Relation To Water (Hydrologic Cycle)
Runoff is the movement of water upon the earth surface. This water usually sterns from precipitation or rainfall on the earth.
The water that emanates from precipitation usually runs off to streams, rivers, oceans, lakes, depressions or low points on the earth.
There are certain characteristics that affect the rate of runoff, such as, the rainfall intensity and the intensity of groundwater flowing into the stream channel.
This phenomenon keeps perennial water bodies like rivers and streams in steady flow all year round without drying. When precipitation and runoff occurs, it adds water to the water bodies of the earth, thereby, increasing the water consituent of the streams, oceans, etc.
Excess runoff can lead to flooding. Hence, flooding is the end result of excessive precipitation.
Transportation
Transportation with relation to the warer cycle, is the movement of water through the athmosphere. Water moves from ocean bidies to land. Some of the earth’s moisture transport is visible as clouds which themselves consist of ice crystals or tiny droplets of water. Jet stream, surfaced-based circulation such as land and sea breezes or other mechanisms often propel clouds from one place to another.
Water is most often transported in vapour which is the third most abundant gas in the atmosphere.
