Scribd
Upload
20 views

Water On Earth Is Distributed Across Various Reservoirs

The document summarizes the distribution of water on Earth, noting that oceans contain 97.5% of the planet's water, mostly as saltwater. Ice caps and glaciers store 1.74% as freshwater. Groundwater makes up 1.7% underground, and is essential for human and ecosystem needs. Lakes, rivers, and the atmosphere each account for less than 0.1% of the total. Rivers and atmosphere play key roles in the hydrologic cycle and climate despite their small volumes.

Uploaded by

Doung Pichchanbosba
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
20 views

Water On Earth Is Distributed Across Various Reservoirs

The document summarizes the distribution of water on Earth, noting that oceans contain 97.5% of the planet's water, mostly as saltwater. Ice caps and glaciers store 1.74% as freshwater. Groundwater makes up 1.7% underground, and is essential for human and ecosystem needs. Lakes, rivers, and the atmosphere each account for less than 0.1% of the total. Rivers and atmosphere play key roles in the hydrologic cycle and climate despite their small volumes.

Uploaded by

Doung Pichchanbosba
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Water on Earth is distributed across various reservoirs, including oceans, ice caps and

glaciers, groundwater, lakes, rivers, and the atmosphere. Here is a breakdown of the
approximate distribution of water on our planet:
1. Oceans: The oceans contain about 97.5% of the Earth's water. They are the largest reservoir
and primarily consist of saltwater.
2. Ice Caps and Glaciers: The ice caps and glaciers, found in polar regions and on
mountaintops, store about 1.74% of the world's water. These frozen water bodies are mainly
composed of freshwater.
3. Groundwater: Approximately 1.7% of the Earth's water is stored underground in aquifers
and permeable rock formations. Groundwater is an essential source of freshwater for human
consumption and irrigation.
4. Lakes: Lakes, including the Great Lakes in North America, hold about 0.013% of the
Earth's water. They are usually freshwater bodies.
5. Rivers: Rivers and streams account for approximately 0.0002% of the total water on Earth.
While they may seem relatively small in volume, they play a crucial role in the hydrological
cycle and provide freshwater to various ecosystems.
6. Atmosphere: Water vapor in the atmosphere represents a very small fraction of the Earth's
water, around 0.001%. It plays a vital role in weather patterns, precipitation, and the overall
climate system.
1. Oceans:
- The world's oceans cover about 71% of the Earth's surface.
- The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean, followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian
Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean.
- The average depth of the oceans is around 3,800 meters (12,500 feet), with the Mariana
Trench in the Pacific Ocean being the deepest point on Earth, reaching a depth of about
11,000 meters (36,000 feet).
2. Ice Caps and Glaciers:
- Ice caps and glaciers are found in polar regions, such as Antarctica and Greenland, as well
as on high-altitude mountain ranges around the world.
- These frozen water bodies store a significant amount of freshwater, and if all the ice were
to melt, it would cause a significant rise in sea levels.
- Antarctica, with its massive ice sheet, holds about 90% of the world's ice and 70% of the
planet's freshwater.
3. Groundwater:
- Groundwater is water located beneath the Earth's surface, filling the spaces between
particles of soil, rock, and sediment.
- It is stored in underground aquifers, which can range from shallow to deep depths.
- Groundwater plays a crucial role in sustaining ecosystems and is a vital source of drinking
water for many communities worldwide.
4. Lakes:
- Lakes are inland bodies of water, typically formed by various geological processes like
tectonic activity or glacial activity.
- They vary in size, from small ponds to large bodies like the Caspian Sea, which is the
largest lake by surface area.
- Lakes are important habitats for numerous plant and animal species and serve as sources
of freshwater for local communities.
5. Rivers:
- Rivers are flowing bodies of freshwater that originate from various sources, such as
glaciers, springs, or rainfall runoff.
- They play a crucial role in the hydrological cycle, transporting water from higher
elevations to lower elevations and eventually reaching the oceans.
- Major rivers like the Amazon, Nile, and Mississippi are significant water resources for
human populations and support diverse ecosystems along their courses.
6. Atmosphere:
- The atmosphere contains water vapor in the form of invisible gas.
- Water vapor enters the atmosphere through evaporation from the Earth's surface, primarily
from the oceans, lakes, and rivers. It condenses to form clouds and eventually returns to the
Earth's surface as precipitation, including rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

You might also like