Preface Abbreviations and dimensions Definitions 1 Introduction 2 The water cycle 2.1 Distribution of water on earth 2.2 The continental water cycle 2.2.1 The components of the Water Cycle 2.2.1.1 Characteristics of different climate zones 2.3 The vadose zone and its water balance for different climate zones 2.4 Rechargeable and fossil groundwater and water exploitation 2.5 The place of recharge in the water cycle 3 Mechanisms and processes of recharge...