Final answer:
Water moves in the water cycle through processes like evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and surface runoff. Water can become contaminated through industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, sewage discharge, and leaching.
Step-by-step explanation:
The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below Earth's surface. Water moves from one reservoir to another through processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, surface runoff, and subsurface flow. Let's consider four different examples of how water moves in the water cycle:
- Evaporation: Water from oceans, rivers, and lakes is heated by the sun, turning it into water vapor that rises into the atmosphere.
- Condensation: Water vapor in the atmosphere cools and forms clouds.
- Precipitation: Clouds release moisture in the form of rain or snow, which falls back to the Earth's surface.
- Surface Runoff: Excess water on the land flows over the surface, collecting in rivers, streams, and eventually returning to the oceans.
Water can pick up contaminants as it moves through the water cycle. Here are four different ways water can become contaminated:
- Industrial Pollution: Factories and industries release pollutants into nearby water bodies, such as chemicals and heavy metals.
- Agricultural Runoff: Pesticides, fertilizers, and animal waste from farms can be carried by rain or irrigation water into rivers and lakes.
- Sewage Discharge: Untreated or poorly treated sewage can introduced harmful bacteria and viruses into the water.
- Leaching: Contaminants present in the soil, such as pesticides or heavy metals, can be washed into groundwater by rainfall.