DISTRIBUTION OF WATER ON EARTH

Water makes up about 71% of the surface of the earth and is an essential resource for life on Earth. It is
important to understand its spread for a number of social, economic, and ecological reasons.

Forms of Water:

Water exists in three main forms on Earth:

Liquid Water: Found in oceans, rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers, liquid water is the
most abundant form on the planet.

OCEANS RIVER LAKE

Solid Water: Primarily in the form of ice caps, glaciers, and icebergs, solid water is mainly
found in polar regions and high-altitude mountain ranges.

GLACIER ICE CAP ICE BERGS

Gaseous Water: Known as water vapor, this form exists in the atmosphere and plays a crucial
role in the water cycle through processes like evaporation and condensation.

Distribution of Water:
Oceans: The largest reservoir of water, oceans cover approximately 97% of Earth’s water
surface. Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic oceans are the major ones.
Ice Caps and Glaciers: Polar ice caps and glaciers contain about 68.7% of the world’s fresh
water, primarily in Antarctica and Greenland.
Groundwater: Water stored beneath the Earth’s surface in aquifers and underground
reservoirs constitutes around 30.1% of the world’s fresh water.
Lakes and Rivers: These freshwater sources make up a small fraction of Earth’s water, with
lakes holding about 0.3% and rivers contributing a mere 0.01% of the total.
Atmosphere: Although atmospheric water vapor is a minor component, it plays a crucial role
in the water cycle and weather patterns.
Significance of Water Distribution:
Ecosystem Support: Water availability determines the distribution of life forms, supporting
diverse ecosystems and biodiversity.

Human Consumption: Access to clean freshwater is essential for human survival, agriculture,
and industrial activities.

INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES
Climate Regulation: Water acts as a moderator of temperature, influencing climate patterns
through its heat capacity and role in the hydrological cycle.
Reference:
• What Are The Three Forms Of Water – The GroundWater Consortium. (2020, March
19). The GroundWater Consortium. https://www.gwconsortium.org/public-education/what-
are-the-three-forms-of-water/
• The distribution of water on, in, and above the Earth | U.S. Geological Survey.
(2019, October 25). https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/distribution-water-and-above-
earth
• Role of Water in the Ecosystem. (2019, November 15). Sciencing.
https://sciencing.com/role-water-ecosystem-5444202.html
• Water and Healthier Drinks. (2022, June 6). Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/water-and-healthier-
drinks.html#:~:text=Water%20helps%20your%20body%3A,%2C%20perspiration%2C%20and
%20bowel%20movements.
• Wimberley, M. (2023, April 27). The Significance of Water in Regulating Climate
Change. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/significance-water-regulating-climate-change-
michael,wimberley#:~:text=Water%20plays%20a%20crucial%20role,before%20its
%20temperature%20increases%20significantly.