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hydrology

hydrology

3 6.6
The study of how water moves, where it is found, and how to manage it on Earth
  • noun
  • /haɪˈdrɑlədʒi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hidrología
  • Understanding hydrology is crucial for predicting flooding and managing water supplies.
  • hydrology and geomorphology
  • hydrology and ecology
  • hydrology and climate

Examples

  • Thus, natural hydrology may play a role in retaining waters with low DO for extended periods.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Over the three years, the hydrology of the two wetlands was similar.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The results discussed in this section are all for years of normal hydrology.

    Academic text (2006)
  • The results of this analysis were published online on 18 July 2011 in the journal Hydrology and Earth System Sciences.

    Academic text (2011)
  • A couple of months earlier, I had built a scale model depicting the hydrology of our valley.

  • The Agency assists Member States in using isotope hydrology to manage their water resources.

    Blog text (31)
  • Wetlands will also be greatly affected by increased temperatures and altered hydrology associated with climate.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Both sides relied on engineering experts to testify about the hydrology and possible movement of contaminants.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Development on agricultural land alters hydrology and pollutant inputs, as well as the social and regulatory framework for water quality.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Ecohydrology looks at the interrelationships among hydrology, aquatic ecosystems, and human systems at the watershed scale.

    Academic text (2011)

How Broad

geoscience
  • Specialized
2 3.5
geology
  • Specialized
49 3.5
hydrology
  • Specialized
3 6.6

Surface Forms

hydrology singular
hydrologies plural

Morphology

hydrology = hydro + logy

The word is built from the classical combining form hydro and the learned suffix -logy, but the analysis depends on bound forms rather than fully standalone everyday English words.

Etymology

Hydrology comes from the old Greek root hydro- meaning 'water', the same hydro- you see in hydrogen and hydrant, and the ending -logy meaning 'study'. So, hydrology is the 'study of water', which explains how water moves, where it is found, and how we can manage it.