Which term refers to the scientific study of water?

Hydrology is the scientific study of water, encompassing its distribution, movement, properties, and effects on the environment. This field examines various aspects of water, including the water cycle, water resources, and the behavior of water in the atmosphere, on land, and underground. Understanding hydrology is crucial for managing water resources, predicting floods, and assessing water quality, which are all vital components of environmental health.

In contrast, geology focuses on the Earth's solid materials, including rocks and soil, and the processes that shape the Earth's structure. Ecology studies the relationships between living organisms and their environments. Envirobiology, while also related to environmental studies, is not a widely recognized term in the same way that hydrology is. Thus, hydrology stands out as the correct term for the scientific study of water.