Lecture

Hydrological Cycle: Soil Water Balance and Infiltration

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In course

ENV-222: Soil sciences

Le cours est une introduction aux Sciences du sol. Il a pour but de présenter les principales caractéristiques, propriétés et fonctions des sols. Il fait appel à des notions théoriques mais également à des cas d'étude concrets à l'aide d'exercices et de tr ...

Description

This lecture covers the hydrological cycle, focusing on soil water balance, including groundwater recharge, evaporation, and evapotranspiration. It explains the concepts of water content, mass balance, and steady state in soil. The lecture also delves into infiltration processes, such as capillary rise and infiltration capacity, discussing different soil types and their influence on water infiltration. Additionally, it explores steady-state water profiles and the impact of rain intensities on infiltration.

Instructors (3)

Gabriele Manoli

Teaching & PhD PhD Students Yuxin Yin, Marc Duran Sala, Guo-Shiuan Lin Courses Adventure on Planet B PENS-231 This course will take students on a cosmic journey and then back to Earth to reflect on planetary challenges and their solutions. Climate and water sensitive urban design ENV-526 This project-based course introduces students to the field of urban climate and hydrology, with a focus on nature-based solutions for the design of climate and water resilient cities. Soi

David Andrew Barry

Research InterestsSubsurface hydrology, constructed wetlands, ecological engineering, in particular contaminant transport and remediation of soil and groundwater; more generally, models of hydrological and vadose zone processes; application of mathematical methods to hydrological processes; coastal zone sediment transport, aquifer-coastal ocean interactions; hydrodynamics and modelling of lakes.

Géraldine Michèle Bullinger

Teaching & PhD Courses Soil sciences ENV-222 This course is an introduction to Soil Sciences, and it focuses on the main soil characteristics, properties, and functions. The teaching is based on theoretical concepts, exercises as well as field and computer experiments.

Official source

Related concepts (29)

Groundwater recharge

Groundwater recharge or deep drainage or deep percolation is a hydrologic process, where water moves downward from surface water to groundwater. Recharge is the primary method through which water enters an aquifer. This process usually occurs in the vadose zone below plant roots and is often expressed as a flux to the water table surface. Groundwater recharge also encompasses water moving away from the water table farther into the saturated zone. Recharge occurs both naturally (through the water cycle) and through anthropogenic processes (i.

Water cycle

The water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle or the hydrological cycle, is a biogeochemical cycle that describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth. The mass of water on Earth remains fairly constant over time but the partitioning of the water into the major reservoirs of ice, fresh water, saline water (salt water) and atmospheric water is variable depending on a wide range of climatic variables.

Evapotranspiration

Evapotranspiration (ET) is the combined processes by which water moves from the earth's surface into the atmosphere. It covers both water evaporation (movement of water to the air directly from soil, canopies, and water bodies) and transpiration (evaporation that occurs through the stomata, or openings, in plant leaves). Evapotranspiration is an important part of the local water cycle and climate, and measurement of it plays a key role in agricultural irrigation and water resource management.

Hydrology

Hydrology () is the scientific study of the movement, distribution, and management of water on Earth and other planets, including the water cycle, water resources, and drainage basin sustainability. A practitioner of hydrology is called a hydrologist. Hydrologists are scientists studying earth or environmental science, civil or environmental engineering, and physical geography. Using various analytical methods and scientific techniques, they collect and analyze data to help solve water related problems such as environmental preservation, natural disasters, and water management.

Effects of climate change on the water cycle

The effects of climate change on the water cycle are profound and have been described as an intensification or a strengthening of the water cycle (also called hydrologic cycle). This effect has been observed since at least 1980. One example is the intensification of heavy precipitation events. This has important negative effects on the availability of freshwater resources, as well as other water reservoirs such as oceans, ice sheets, atmosphere and land surface.

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