Chapter 10: Problem 9

Explain how climate change and atmospheric pollution can affect the hydrologic cycle.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Climate change and atmospheric pollution can drastically impact the hydrologic cycle. The increased temperatures due to climate change can speed up the evaporation process, bringing about more intense droughts and floods. Atmospheric pollution can alter rainfall patterns and result in acid rain, impacting water availability and environmental health.

Step by step solution

Understanding the Hydrologic Cycle

The hydrologic cycle describes the continuous movement of water on, in, and above the Earth. It involves processes such as evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, and subsurface run-off. The distribution and availability of water on Earth primarily depend on this cycle.

Defining Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns. Mostly due to anthropogenic activities, it's characterized by an increasing trend in average global temperatures, changing weather patterns, melting glaciers and ice caps among others.

Defining Atmospheric Pollution

Atmospheric pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the Earth's atmosphere. These materials, also known as pollutants, can have numerous negative effects on human health and the environment.

Impacts of Climate Change on Hydrologic Cycle

Climate change, marked by global warming, can alter evaporation rates, which directly impact the hydrologic cycle. Warmer temperatures increase the rate of evaporation, which in turn leads to an increase in the amount and frequency of droughts. It also leads to faster melting of ice and snow, causing changes in river flow and more intense and frequent floods.

Impacts of Atmospheric Pollution on Hydrologic Cycle

Atmospheric pollution can significantly affect rainfall patterns. Air pollution particles can act as cloud nuclei and affect cloud formation and precipitation process, leading to changes in rainfall patterns. Heavy air pollution can also result in acid rain, where water droplets in the atmosphere combine with pollutant gases to form acids.

Inference

To summarize, the hydrologic cycle can be significantly influenced by both climate change as well as atmospheric pollution. Changes in climatic patterns could alter the water availability and distribution, thereby affecting all life forms and ecosystems. Similarly, atmospheric pollution could disrupt rainfall patterns, impacting not just water availability but overall environmental health as well.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Recommended explanations on Environmental Science Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Explain how climate change and atmospheric pollution can affect the hydrologic cycle.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding the Hydrologic Cycle

Defining Climate Change

Defining Atmospheric Pollution

Impacts of Climate Change on Hydrologic Cycle

Impacts of Atmospheric Pollution on Hydrologic Cycle

Inference

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Environmental Science Textbooks

Energy Resources

Physical Environment

Environmental Policy

Living Environment

Biological Resources

Environmental Research

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.