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The water or hydrologic cycle explains interactions between the atmosphere,
hydrosphere, and lithosphere. The water or hydrologic
cycle is a major driving force on our planet. Water is in constant
motion, evaporating into the atmosphere from oceans, lakes, rivers and
streams. When the atmosphere can no longer support the moisture within
the clouds, we experience rain, snow, hail, or sleet. Some water is
locked in the form of ice at the polar caps and in glaciers. Water melts
in the spring, producing runoff, that percolates through
the Earth as groundwater (subsurface) or makes its way back to the sea
(surface). The oceans contain most of the water, but it is salt water
which is unuseable by most organisms. Only pure H2O (water)
can interact with organisms.
The movement of the oceans also has a direct effect on the
atmosphere. The atmosphere is that envelope of gas that keeps organisms
living on this planet. Oceans and atmosphere interact to give us
weather.
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