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hydrology
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Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

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Hydrology, scientific discipline concerned with the

Category: Science & Tech
waters of the Earth, including their occurrence,
Key People: Pierre Perrault • Robert E.
distribution, and circulation via the hydrologic cycle Horton • Domenico Guglielmini
and interactions with living things. It also deals with
Related Topics: chemical hydrology •
the chemical and physical properties of water in all its gauging station • limnology • Ekman
reversing water bottle • Dunne…
...(Show more)
phases.

A brief treatment of hydrology follows. For full See all related content →

treatment, see hydrologic sciences.

Britannica Quiz

Water and its Varying Forms

Hydrology has as its primary objective the study of the interrelationship between water and
its environment. As hydrology is mainly concerned with water close to the land surface, it
focuses on those components of the hydrologic cycle that occur there—namely,
precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, and groundwater. Its various subdisciplines deal
with different aspects of these phenomena. Hydrometeorology, for example, concentrates on
water in the lower boundary layer of the atmosphere, while hydrometry involves the
measurement of surface water, especially precipitation and streamflow. Hydrography entails
the description and mapping of large bodies of surface water, such as lakes, inland seas, and
oceans. On the other hand, groundwater hydrology centres on subsurface water in the
saturated zone, and soil-water physics on that in the unsaturated zone.

Hydrology draws upon the disciplines of geology, chemistry, soil science, and plant
physiology, employing many of their principles and methods. Researchers in the field rely
increasingly on computer simulations of natural hydrologic systems and remote-sensing
techniques, as, for example, the use of Earth-orbiting satellites equipped with infrared
cameras to detect bodies of polluted water or to trace the flow of hot springs.

Hydrologic research is important in the development, management, and control of water

resources. Its applications are manifold and include irrigation-systems development, flood
and land-erosion control, waste-water disposal and treatment, pollution abatement,
recreational use of water, fish and wildlife preservation, hydropower generation, and the
design of hydraulic structures.

human body systems

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Written by Kara Rogers , Andrew Niemchick See All

Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated: Nov 29, 2023 • Article History

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The human body is an incredibly complex structure, with cells, tissues, and organs
assembled into highly organized systems that work together to perform an astonishing array
of functions—from seeing and hearing to breathing and digesting food to running, playing a
musical instrument, and problem-solving. Each of the major systems of the body is essential
to the survival of the human organism, and each serves as a critical companion to the others.
The muscle and skeletal systems, for example, act together to move the body. The skeletal
system also protectively houses internal organs, such as the brain, heart, and lungs, while
the muscle system aids in breathing and interacts with the nervous system to coordinate
sensory and muscle responses. The respiratory, circulatory, renal, and digestive systems
likewise are interconnected, working together to supply oxygen and blood to tissues, remove
wastes, and break down and utilize nutrients. Learn more about these amazing systems
through our human body interactive.
Andrew Niemchick
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Kara Rogers