Earth materials: Water

Resources
Why Care About Water?
 Water is a simple
compound, made of two
atoms of hydrogen and one
atom of oxygen bonded
together.
More than any other
substance on the Earth, water
is important to life and has
remarkable properties.
Without water, life could
probably not even exist on
Earth.
When looking at Earth from
space, the abundance of
water on Earth becomes
obvious.
On land, water is also
common: it swirls and
meanders through streams,
falls from the sky, freezes
into snowflakes, and even
makes up most of you and
me.
Distribution of Water on
earth:
About 71% of the Earth’s
surface is covered with
water, most of which is
found in the oceans
Most liquid freshwater is
found under the Earth’s
surface as groundwater,
while the rest is found in
lakes, rivers, and streams,
and water vapor in the sky.
Where and in what forms is
water available on Earth?
The world’s water exists
Knowing how water cycles through the
environment can help in determining how

naturally in different forms

much water is available in different parts of the
world. The Earth’s water cycle (Figure 2) is the
global mechanism by which water moves from
the air to the Earth (precipitation) and

and locations: in the air, on

eventually back to the atmosphere
(evaporation).

the surface, below the

ground and in the oceans.
Blue water vs. green water
“Blue water”— the water in
rivers, lakes, and aquifers—
can be distinguished from
“green water” — which
feeds plants and crops, and
which is subsequently
released into the air.
Different water sources

1. Rivers
2. Reservoirs or lakes
3. Groundwater
Reflect on what you can do
daily to conserve and protect
water resources.
Here are some simple ways we can help to
conserve and protect water sources.

•Use less water.

•Keep harmful substances out of the water.
•Keep pipes and appliances in good
condition.
•Use water-efficient appliances.
•Use water efficiently outdoors.
•Drive less.