We all are quite familiar with the salty taste of ocean water compared to water deposited by rain and water streaming out of a faucet. Another difference may help us tap on-demand, the oldest freshwater source on Earth.
The Ocean in the Atmosphere
The hydrologic cycle maintains and continuously replenishes a vast ocean of freshwater in the air closest to the ground. This ocean is the source of all rain and snow, the dew we find deposited on our cars, dew deposited on the ground early in the morning and the moisture that appears on the outside of a cold glass.
Isotope Hydrology
It is an established fact that water from different sources contains different number and types of isotopes.(see post dated Oct 15, 2011).
Isotope Hydrology is the new science that uses existence of isotopes to estimate age and origin of water in each stage of the hydrologic cycle.
What makes Isotope Hydrology most interesting is that it can map a "local" hydrologic condition to include an identification of the the origin and content of water in the local atmosphere.
Predicting & Catalyzing Precipitation
The primary cause of freshwater scarcity is continued lack of rain where and when we humans want and need it. Precipitation (mostly rain) directly waters our food crops, adds runoff to increase river flows and lake levels, and replenishes ground water reservoirs.
We could soon produce rain on-demand using Isotope Hydrology that can accurately measure the isotopic content of local air, compare it to conditions that produce rain and identify what changes are necessary to produce rain on demand anywhere on Earth!
The Ocean in the Atmosphere
The hydrologic cycle maintains and continuously replenishes a vast ocean of freshwater in the air closest to the ground. This ocean is the source of all rain and snow, the dew we find deposited on our cars, dew deposited on the ground early in the morning and the moisture that appears on the outside of a cold glass.
Isotope Hydrology
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| Change in isotope content during the hydrologic cycle Source - ANTSO.gov.au |
Isotope Hydrology is the new science that uses existence of isotopes to estimate age and origin of water in each stage of the hydrologic cycle.
What makes Isotope Hydrology most interesting is that it can map a "local" hydrologic condition to include an identification of the the origin and content of water in the local atmosphere.
The primary cause of freshwater scarcity is continued lack of rain where and when we humans want and need it. Precipitation (mostly rain) directly waters our food crops, adds runoff to increase river flows and lake levels, and replenishes ground water reservoirs.
We could soon produce rain on-demand using Isotope Hydrology that can accurately measure the isotopic content of local air, compare it to conditions that produce rain and identify what changes are necessary to produce rain on demand anywhere on Earth!
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