WATER BALANCE Meaning and
Definition
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Water balance refers to the equilibrium or stability of water in a system, such as an ecosystem, a body, or the Earth's hydrological cycle. It involves the comparison between inputs and outputs of water within a particular system or entity. Water balance primarily focuses on the quantity and movement of water, considering factors such as precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, runoff, infiltration, and storage.
This concept is vital in environmental science, hydrology, and various fields related to water management. It helps assess the availability, distribution, and management of water resources. A positive water balance occurs when inputs, such as rainfall or inflows, exceed outputs like evaporation or outflows, resulting in an increase in water storage or levels. Conversely, a negative water balance occurs when outputs exceed inputs, leading to a depletion or decrease in water storage.
In a broader context, the water balance of the Earth is referred to as the global water cycle. It involves the movement of water between the atmosphere, land surface, and oceans through processes like evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff. The water balance of a body or organism, such as a human, refers to the maintenance of adequate hydration by regulating water intake, excretion, and fluid loss through various physiological mechanisms.
Overall, water balance is crucial for understanding and managing water resources and maintaining the sustainability and health of various systems.
Common Misspellings for WATER BALANCE
- qater balance
- aater balance
- sater balance
- eater balance
- 3ater balance
- 2ater balance
- wzter balance
- wster balance
- wwter balance
- wqter balance
- warer balance
- wafer balance
- wager balance
- wayer balance
- wa6er balance
- wa5er balance
- watwr balance
- watsr balance
- watdr balance
- watrr balance
Etymology of WATER BALANCE
The word "water balance" is derived from the combination of two terms: "water" and "balance".
- "Water" originates from the Old English word "wæter", which is further linked to the Proto-Germanic "watōr" and Proto-Indo-European root "wodōr". It has been used to refer to the liquid substance that fills oceans, lakes, rivers, and forms rain, snow, and ice.
- "Balance" comes from the Old French term "balance" and Latin "bilanx", meaning "scale" or "pair of scales". The concept of balance involves an equilibrium between different elements or forces.
Thus, when combined, "water balance" refers to the equilibrium or the state of balance within the water system, considering factors like inflow, outflow, storage, and distribution of water.
