Mar 22, 2025
The water cycle and its connection to the ocean
The main phases and its importance for life
The water cycle, or hydrological cycle, is a continuous process that regulates the movement of water on Earth, involving the atmosphere, the Earth's surface, and the underground layers. Water is an essential resource for all living beings and has unique properties. It has the ability to change its physical state depending on temperature, shifting from liquid to solid (ice) and gas (water vapor). These changes ensure a continuous flow of water between the Earth's surface, the ocean, and the atmosphere, continuously regenerating it.
The ocean plays a crucial role in the water cycle as it represents the primary reservoir from which water evaporates, forming clouds and leading to precipitation. This mechanism maintains the balance of ecosystems and makes life on our planet possible.
The ocean plays a crucial role in the water cycle as it serves as the primary reservoir from which water evaporates. Ocean evaporation helps regulate temperatures; without this cooling effect, surface temperatures would be much higher. It is estimated that the ocean contributes about 86% of global evaporation.
The water that evaporates from the ocean condenses in the atmosphere and returns to land as precipitation, where it feeds rivers and lakes before eventually returning to the ocean.
The ocean also absorbs about 25-30% of the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted into the atmosphere by human activities. This CO₂ absorption capacity is greater in cold waters. For this reason, rising ocean temperatures can lead to CO₂ release, affecting both the water cycle and the climate.
The water cycle is a dynamic and self-regulating system that allows water to circulate between the atmosphere, oceans, land, and biosphere. However, human activities and climate change are significantly disrupting this balance, leading to increasingly evident impacts.
Human actions are altering the water cycle in two major ways:
To ensure a sustainable future, it is essential to protect this connection and adapt to ongoing changes with science-based strategies and global cooperation.