The water or hydrologic cycle has to do with how "water moves through the land, ocean, and atmosphere in a continuous process." The loop has four main parts that allow the said loop to function and execute. These parts are evaporation, transpiration, condensation and precipitation. Evaporation occurs when a transfer of “water molecules from a liquid to a gaseous state” occurs. When water returns to land and water this occurs through condensation which is the formation of liquid water from a gaseous state. Transpiration occurs when water vapor is lost as it moves “from the soil through green plants and out through the pores of leaves.” Finally, we talk about precipitation when water is released from clouds in the form of rain, snow, sleet or even hail. It is important to note that with any scientific cycle there will be human impacts on that cycle. Categories of human impacts on the water cycle include changes to the Earth's surface, changes to the Earth's climate, air pollution, as well as human withdrawals. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayChanges to the Earth's surface are not limited to the loss of vegetation, the domestication of rivers and wetlands, as well as the construction of impervious surfaces such as roads, buildings, and parking lots. The loss of vegetation is bad because, as with everything else, when something in a cycle is altered, it has consequences for the things that depend on it. Plants are king, so without them they would affect the world around us in ways we don't even imagine possible. “In cleared forests and over-grazed lands, plants do not intercept rainfall.” This is not good because it leads to moving water creating runoff which we know is not a good thing. “Less infiltration leads to less groundwater recharge, resulting in dry, sterile and lifeless streams,” which, again, is not good for the ecosystem and the people who depend on the water. water source. As for impervious surfaces, they prevent infiltration and increase runoff, which is not good for the ecosystem and the organisms that deal with that runoff. Humans also influence the flow of surface water. This is done through the use of dams, embankments, impervious surfaces, channeling of rivers and removal of vegetation. Although people use dams to “try to reduce flood risks, they cause ecological problems.” Dams retain and use surface water, but ruin the habitats around them and change river flow. Which is not good because then some fish cannot swim upstream/downstream back to the ocean, which creates problems for the food web/food chain. The Earth's climate is in fact warming due to the increase in greenhouse gases which also alters the water cycle. When the “climate is warmer it means there has been more evaporation from land surfaces, plants and bodies of water.” While a more humid atmosphere means more frequent and more intense precipitation. Climate change also has impacts on water bodies due to the increased volume of warm water. It is important to note that a warmer ocean creates a higher sea level; along with the melting of glaciers that transform the water from ice to liquid, eventually making its way into the ocean. Not only is Earth's climate changing, but we are seeing an increase in anthropogenic aerosols in the air. They are observed in the form of "sulfates.