How does human development change the water cycle?
1 Answer
Nov 8, 2016
In urban areas, infiltration and percolation are low.
Explanation:
Urban areas are hotter in terms of temperature compared to their rural neighbors. This leds to evaporate more water from water surfaces as well as higher evaporation when there precipitates.
Since urban areas contain paved areas, roads, lots of buildings, etc., they do not allow feeding of groundwater by infiltration and percolation. Therefore, most of precipitated water becomes surface runoff, sometimes causing floods in urban areas.
Industrial processes add lots of substances to the water cycle. Acidic rain is also a concern.
