A recent study by NASA, based on nearly two decades of observations, revealed unprecedented changes in the global water cycle largely driven by human activities such as agriculture. These changes could alter ecosystems and challenge water management in various regions.
“Human intervention in the water cycle is more significant than we thought,” said Sujay Kumar, a scientist at the Goddard Space Flight Center and coauthor of the study published in PNAS. In turn, the researchers identified three types of alterations: trends, such as depletion of groundwater reserves; seasonal changes, such as earlier thaws; and extreme phenomena, such as more frequent floods.
In regions like northern China, persistent drought contrasts with well-maintained crops due to intensive irrigation, highlighting how human interventions can cause complex effects in the water cycle, including evapotranspiration and runoff.
“The design of infrastructure and warning systems is based on assumptions about a stable water cycle, something that is no longer valid for some regions,” explained Wanshu Nie, lead author of the study.
How does human interfere in the global water cycle?
The analysis integrated satellite data from multiple NASA missions, such as the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, to simulate water storage and flows globally. According to Augusto Getirana, coauthor of the study, these advances will allow developing more precise models that integrate human impacts on the water cycle.
The research suggests that planners and managers must adapt to this “new normal” in water, considering current changes to ensure the sustainability of resources in the future.
What is the water cycle like?
The water cycle is a continuous process consisting of the movement of water between the atmosphere, bodies of water, and the Earth’s surface. This cycle is driven by solar energy.
The stages of the water cycle are:
- Evaporation: The sun’s heat evaporates water from bodies of water and living organisms.
- Condensation: Water vapor rises to the atmosphere and changes its physical state.
- Precipitation: Condensed water vapor falls to the Earth’s surface in the form of rain, hail, snow, or dew.
- Infiltration: Water that falls on the ground seeps and becomes groundwater.
- Runoff: Water that falls on the Earth’s surface flows towards rivers, lakes, or the sea.
The water cycle is important because it regulates Earth’s temperature and climate.
Do you already know our YouTube channel? Subscribe!
