Question

List the hydrosphere's major reservoirs and describe the different paths that water takes through the hydrologic cycle

A) Oceans, Atmosphere, Rivers, Groundwater - Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation, Runoff
B) Lakes, Ice caps, Soil moisture, Glaciers - Transpiration, Sublimation, Infiltration, Subsurface flow
C) Deserts, Wetlands, Reservoirs, Aquifers - Melting, Freezing, Vaporization, Sublimation
D) Mountains, Swamps, Estuaries, Ponds - Evapotranspiration, Percolation, Spring flow, Baseflow

Answer 1

The major reservoirs of the hydrosphere are the oceans, atmosphere, rivers, and groundwater. Water takes different paths through the hydrologic cycle, including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.

Step-by-step explanation:

The major reservoirs of the hydrosphere are the oceans, atmosphere, rivers, and groundwater. Water takes different paths through the hydrologic cycle, including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.

For example, water from the oceans evaporates and rises into the atmosphere, where it condenses into clouds. These clouds then release the water as precipitation, which can fall as rain or snow. The water can then flow over the land as runoff or infiltrate into the ground as groundwater.

The paths that water takes through the hydrologic cycle involve several processes such as evaporation or sublimation where water changes from liquid or ice to vapor, condensation where water vapor forms clouds, precipitation such as rain or snow returning water to Earth's surface, and surface runoff/snowmelt which flows into bodies of water. Water also undergoes infiltration into the soil, contributing to groundwater, and can return to the atmosphere via transpiration from plants or evaporation from soil and water surfaces. The hydrologic cycle is a continuous process that ensures the movement and distribution of water on Earth.