Humidity
Outline Introduction
Role of the ground air layer in water economy
Exchange of water vapor in the plant cover
Humidity variables and profiles
Instrumentation
Introduction
Humidity
term used to describe the
amount of water vapor
present in the air.
Two primary ways to measure humidity
RELATIVE HUMIDITY ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY
ratio of the actual amount of water vapor in The mass of water vapor per unit volume of
the air to the maximum amount of water air
vapor the air can hold at a given temperature
and pressure Expressed in Grams per cubic meter (g/m³)
Expressed in percentage An absolute humidity of 10 g/m³ means
there are 10 grams of water vapor in every
50% RH means the air is holding half of the cubic meter of air
maximum amount of water vapor it can at
that temperature
Why is humidity important?
Comfort
Weather Patterns
Health
Building materials
The role of the ground air
layer in water economy
It acts as a medium for the exchange
of moisture between the soil and the
atmosphere, influencing processes
such as evaporation, transpiration,
and infiltration
Key functions
Moisture exchange – evaporation, transpiration and infiltration
Temperature regulation – heat transfer and evaporation cooling
Gas exchange – The ground air layer is involved in the exchange of
oxygen and carbon dioxide between the soil and the atmosphere,
which is essential for plant growth and soil respiration
Soil structure - The presence of air in the soil helps to maintain its
structure and prevent compaction, which is important for water
infiltration and root growth.
Factors affecting the ground air layer
Soil texture
Soil structure
Soil moisture content
Atmospheric conditions
Implications for water management
IRRIGATION DRAINAGE SOIL
CONSERVATION
Understanding the role Proper drainage
of the ground air layer systems must consider Practices such as cover
is important for the permeability of the cropping and no-till
designing efficient ground air layer to agriculture can help to
irrigation systems that prevent waterlogging maintain soil structure
and improve the health
minimize water losses and soil erosion. of the ground air layer,
due to evaporation and leading to better water
leaching. retention and reduced
soil erosion.
Exchange of Water
Vapor in the Plant
Cover
Transpiration is the primary process through
which plants lose water to the atmosphere. This
occurs when water is absorbed by the plant's
roots, travels up through the stem, and is
released into the air through tiny pores called
stomata on the leaves.
Factors affecting transpiration
Higher temperatures increase the rate of evaporation, leading to
Temperature increased transpiration.
Higher temperatures increase the rate of evaporation, leading to
Humidity increased transpiration.
Higher temperatures increase the rate of evaporation, leading to
Wind increased transpiration.
Higher temperatures increase the rate of evaporation, leading to
Light intensity increased transpiration.
Higher temperatures increase the rate of evaporation, leading to
Soil moisture increased transpiration.
Importance of transpiration
Transpiration helps to move water from the soil into the
Water cycle atmosphere, contributing to the overall water cycle.
Climate Transpiration cools the plant and its surroundings,
regulation helping to regulate local and regional climates.
Transpiration can help to move nutrients from the soil
Nutrient uptake into the plant.
Adaptions to reduce transpiration
Plants can close their stomata to reduce
Stomatal closure water loss.
Some plants have evolved thicker leaves
Leaf modifications or waxy cuticles to reduce water loss.
Plants with deep roots can access water from
Deep roots deeper soil layers, helping to ensure a consistent
water supply.
Human impacts on transpiration
Deforestation Irrigation Climate change
• The removal of • Irrigation can • Changes in
forests can reduce increase the amount temperature and
transpiration rates, of water available to precipitation patterns
leading to changes in plants, potentially can affect
local and regional leading to increased transpiration rates,
climates. transpiration rates. with potential
impacts on plant
growth and
ecosystem health.
Humidity Variables
and Profile
By understanding humidity variables and
profiles, scientists can gain valuable insights into
atmospheric processes, weather forecasting,
and climate change.
Primary humidity variables
RELATIVE HUMIDITY (RH)
DEFINITION The ratio of the actual amount of water vapor in the air to
the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold at a
given temperature and pressure.
UNITS Expressed as a percentage.
ADVANTAGES Widely used due to its direct relationship with human
comfort and weather patterns.
DISADVANTAGES Can be misleading, as it depends on temperature. A high
RH at a low temperature may not feel as humid as a lower
RH at a higher temperature.
Primary humidity variables
ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY
DEFINITION The mass of water vapor per unit volume of air.
UNITS Grams per cubic meter (g/m³)
ADVANTAGES Provides a direct measure of the amount of water vapor in
the air, independent of temperature.
DISADVANTAGES Can be less intuitive to understand than relative humidity.
Primary humidity variables
SPECIFIC HUMIDITY
DEFINITION The mass of water vapor per unit mass of moist air.
UNITS Grams per kilogram (g/kg)
ADVANTAGES Conserves mass during atmospheric processes, making it
useful for studying the water cycle.
DISADVANTAGES Can be complex to calculate and interpret.
Primary humidity variables
DEW POINT
DEFINITION The temperature at which the air becomes saturated with
water vapor and condensation begins to form.
UNITS Degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit
ADVANTAGES Provides a direct measure of the air's water vapor content,
independent of temperature and pressure.
DISADVANTAGES Can be difficult to measure directly in the field.
Humidity profiles
a graphical representation of how
humidity changes with altitude. It can
be used to understand atmospheric
processes, such as cloud formation
and precipitation.
Common humidity profile features
BOUNDARY INVERSIONS TROPOPAUSE
LAYER
Layers of the The boundary between
The lowest layer of the atmosphere where the troposphere and
atmosphere, typically temperature increases stratosphere, often
characterized by a with altitude, creating a marked by a sharp
decrease in humidity stable environment that decrease in humidity.
with increasing altitude can trap moisture.
due to mixing with drier
air from above.
Factors affecting humidity profiles
GEOGRAPHY WEATHER SEASONAL
SYSTEMS VARIATIONS
Proximity to large
bodies of water, Fronts, high-pressure Humidity profiles can
topography, and land systems, and low- vary significantly
use can influence pressure systems can throughout the year
humidity profiles. create different due to changes in
humidity profiles. temperature,
precipitation, and
atmospheric circulation.
Instrument used to measure humidity
Hygrometer Psychrometer
Thank you