Hydrology

Water is one of the most, if not the most valuable natural resource. Life on earth (Humans, plants and animals) would be extinct without it. Hydrology is a science dealing with the properties, distribution, and circulation of water on and below the earth 's surface and in the atmosphere. Hydrologists are needed to understand the complex water system of the earth and help solve water problems.

The supply of water available for our use is limited by nature. According to Watereducation.org (2016) it is estimated between 70 and 75 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered with water, more than 96 percent of which is too salty for most human uses. Therefore, even though there is plenty of water on earth, it is not always easy to locate for the most important characteristic is hard to encounter: quality.

Groundwater is the portion of the Earth 's water cycle that flows underground. Precipitation is the source of all groundwater, new and old. Precipitation that does not form part of surface runoff or remain on the land surface percolates into the ground. Once there, it can follow three distinct paths:

1. Remain in the unsaturated zone subject to capillary action

2. Return to the atmosphere via evaporation and evapotranspiration

3. Flow downward until it reaches

They note the depths at which water is encountered and collect samples of soils, rock and water for laboratory analyses. In regards to the pumping rate, hydrologists figure out the most efficient way to do so by monitoring the extent that water levels drop in the pumped well and in its nearest neighbors. Doing it too fast could have adverse effects: it could cause the well to dry up or it could affect nearby holes. Along the coast, over pumping can cause saltwater