In hydrology, which aspect is primarily studied?

The primary focus of hydrology is the movement, distribution, and quality of water. This scientific discipline examines various aspects of the water cycle, including precipitation, evaporation, and the flow of water in rivers, lakes, and aquifers. Understanding these elements is crucial for managing water resources effectively, predicting floods, understanding groundwater dynamics, and ensuring the quality of water for human consumption and ecosystem health.

Hydrology integrates knowledge from meteorology, environmental science, and geology to study how water interacts with the environment, making it essential for addressing water-related challenges such as droughts, water scarcity, and pollution. The other options, while related to the broader field of environmental science, do not capture the fundamental essence of hydrology as the study of water movement, distribution, and quality.