Evaporation: Most water evaporates from the oceans, where water is found in highest abundance. However some evaporation also occurs from lakes, rivers, streams and following rain.Transpiration: Is the water loss from the surface area (particularly the stomata) of plants. Transpiration accounts for a massive 50% of land-based evaporation, and 10% of total evaporation.Evapotranspiration: The processes of evaporation and transpiration are often collectively referred to as evapotranspiration.Condensation: The process by which water vapour is converted back into liquid is called condensation. You may have observed a similar process occurring when dew drops form on a blade of grass or on cold glass. Water in the atmosphere condenses to form clouds.Precipitation: Water returns to Earth through precipitation in the form of rain, sleet, snow or ice (hail). When rain occurs due to precipitation, most of it runs off into lakes and rivers while a significant portion of it sinks into the ground.Infiltration: The process through which water sinks into the ground is known as infiltration and is determined by the soil or rock type through which water moves. During the process of sinking into the Earth's surface, water is filtered and purified. Depending on the soil type and the depth to which the water has sunk, the ground water becomes increasingly purified: the deeper the water, the cleaner it becomes.Melting and freezing: Some water freezes and is 'locked up' in ice, such as in glaciers and ice sheets. Similarly, water sometimes melts and is returned to oceans and seas.