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Hydrologic Cycle
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The natural sequence through which water passes into the atmosphere as water vapor, precipitates to earth in liquid or solid form, and ultimately returns to the atmosphere through evaporation.
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Evaporation
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To lose or cause to lose liquid by vaporization, leaving a more concentrated residue
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Condensation
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A type of reaction in which two organic molecules combine to form a larger molecule as well as a simple molecule such as water, methanol, etc
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Precipitation
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Rain, snow, sleet, dew, etc, formed by condensation of water vapour in the atmosphere
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Transpiration
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The passage of water through a plant from the roots through the vascular system to the atmosphere
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pH
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The symbol for the logarithm of the reciprocal of hydrogen ion concentration in gram atoms per liter, used to express the acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale of 0 to 14, where less than 7 represents acidity, 7 neutrality, and more than 7 alkalinity.
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Surface runoff
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The water flow that occurs when the soil is infiltrated to full capacity and excess water from rain, meltwater, or other sources flows over the land
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Watershed
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The dividing line between two adjacent river systems, such as a ridge
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Groundwater
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The water beneath the surface of the ground, consisting largely of surface water that has seeped down: the source of water in springs and wells.
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Zone of saturation
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The ground below the water table
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Natural recharge
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The filling of groundwater aquifers by rain and melting snow percolating into the ground and saturating the pores between rock and soil particles.
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Water table
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The planar, underground surface beneath which earth materials, as soil or rock, are saturated with water
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Aquifers
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Any geological formation containing or conducting ground water, especially one that supplies the water for wells, springs, etc.
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Recharge area
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A land area in which water reaches the zone of
saturation from surface infiltration, e.g.,
where rainwater
soaks through the earth to reach an aquifer
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Consumptive use
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The use of a resource that reduces the supply
(removing water
from a source like a river, lake or aquifer without returning
an equal amount).
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