Two methods by which water on land returns to the ocean:
1. Surface runoff: Rainfall or melting snow flows over land surfaces, picking up sediment and pollutants along the way. This water eventually makes its way to streams, rivers, and ultimately the ocean.
2. Groundwater flow: Water that infiltrates the ground can travel through underground layers of rock and soil, eventually discharging into streams, rivers, or directly into the ocean. This process helps replenish freshwater bodies and maintains the balance of water within the hydrological cycle.