The Hydrological Cycle of Southern Ontario

Southern Ontario like many rural areas has become an urban hub over the course of the last decades. Although the process of urbanization has contributed to the development of significant improvements in the standard of living for hundreds of thousands of citizens, the reality of urbanization is one that has had significant impacts on the local environment. In particular, researchers examining the environment of Southern Ontario have noted that the hydrological cycle of the area has changed significantly as the result of the process of urbanization.

Examining the ways in which the hydrological cycle of Southern Ontario has been disrupted as a consequence of urbanization, researchers examining the basic context of the hydrological cycle argued that urbanization involves covering the land. This process significantly reduces the permeation of water infiltration into the soil. With less soil infiltration, surface water turns into runoff which pushes more pollutants into nearby waterways. In short, because the water cannot permeate into the soil, which acts as a natural filter for the water, the water retains most of its pollutants passing these pollutants onto larger water systems (What are the effects?, 2005). In addition, the process of urbanization also reduces the amount of ground water that is evaporated from urban areas. Moisture from the ground must be absorbed in order to complete the hydrological cycle. With less moisture being absorbed, this translates into less moisture being placed back into the environment-i.e. in the form of rain or snow (What are the effects?, 2005).

Considering what steps can be taken to you effectively mitigate the problems caused by urbanization it is evident that a reduction in greenhouse gases produced in the city could improve the capacity of the hydrological cycle to hold more water. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, city planners need to consider the development of vegetated areas in the context of city. Arguably this is a notable challenge because much of the groundwork for the city has already been established. However, if the city is to improve its hydrological cycle, improvements will be necessary for this to happen.

References

What are the effects? (2005). Towson University. Accessed December 10, 2005 at: http://chesapeake.towson.edu/landscape/impervious/all_quantity_impacts.asp.