vedenkiertoprosesseista

Vedenkiertoprosessit, often referred to as the water cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. This fundamental biogeochemical cycle is driven primarily by solar energy. The cycle begins with evaporation, where solar heat transforms liquid water from oceans, lakes, and rivers into water vapor, which rises into the atmosphere. Transpiration, the release of water vapor from plants, also contributes to atmospheric moisture. As this moist air rises and cools, condensation occurs, forming clouds from tiny water droplets or ice crystals. When these droplets or crystals become heavy enough, precipitation falls back to Earth in various forms, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Once on the ground, precipitation can follow several paths. It may seep into the ground through infiltration, becoming groundwater. Alternatively, it can flow over the land surface as surface runoff, eventually returning to rivers, lakes, and oceans, completing the cycle. Sublimation, the direct transition of ice or snow into water vapor without melting, also plays a role in certain conditions. The water cycle is crucial for distributing freshwater across the planet, regulating climate, and sustaining ecosystems and life.