1. The Hydrosphere
Water on the Planet

2. The Distribution of Water
Water is the major life force in this planet.
Not only does it support life with its unique properties, but it is also the main reason why our planet is able to absorb and retain heat form the sun.

3. The Distribution of Water
70% of our planet’s surface is covered by water in the form of oceans
The remaining 30% is in the form of land and ice caps

4. The Distribution of Water
Water Store
Percentage
Rate of renewal
Oceans
97.134
3,100 years
Atmosphere
0.001
days
Ice sheets and glaciers
2.240
16,000 years
Groundwater
0.606
1 - 4,600 years
Lakes
0.009
years
Soil moisture
0.003
280 days
Rivers
0.0001
days

5. The Distribution of Water
Note that even though the oceans store the most amount of water, it takes over 3000 years for this water to recycle itself completely.
In contrast, that atmosphere is the most active recycling the water in it every 9 – 12 days.
Interestingly enough, if one totaled up all the water the atmosphere recycles in 3100 years, one would get the volume of the water stored in the oceans.

6. The Distribution of Water
Fresh water makes up less than 3% of the world’s water store. Ice caps followed by ground water are the planets largest stores of fresh water.

7. Water Budget