Surface water

Surface water is the water present on the Earth's surface, such as in rivers, lakes, and oceans. It can be contrasted with subsurface water and atmospheric water.

Overview

Surface water is water that is on the Earth's surface. It is created by precipitation and melting ice and snow, and is lost through evaporation and subsurface seepage. An important source of surface water is the hydrological cycle, which circulates water between the land, atmosphere, and ocean.

Types of Surface Water

There are several types of surface water. These include:

• Rivers: These are large, flowing bodies of water that usually empty into a sea or ocean.
• Lakes: These are large bodies of water surrounded by land.
• Oceans: These are the largest bodies of water, covering about 71% of the Earth's surface.
• Wetlands: These are areas where the land is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally.

Surface Water and the Environment

Surface water plays a crucial role in the environment. It is a key component of the water cycle, and it provides habitat for a wide range of aquatic ecosystems. Surface water is also a critical resource for human activities, including agriculture, drinking, and hydropower.

Surface Water Quality

The quality of surface water is important for both environmental and human health reasons. Water pollution can harm aquatic ecosystems and make surface water unsafe for human use. Many factors can affect surface water quality, including chemical contamination, biological contamination, and physical changes to the water body.

See Also

• Groundwater
• Water cycle
• Water pollution
• Water resources

References

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Surface water

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  Lake Kinney with Mount Whitehorn

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  Alapaha River in 2002

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  Stream gage below Nevada Reservoir on Nevada Creek