What are the key aspects of water distribution on Earth, including fresh and salt water, its states, and the water cycle?
Understand the Problem
The question seems to be addressing various aspects of water distribution on Earth, including its states, salinity, sources, roles in ecology, and the water cycle.
Answer
97% of Earth's water is saltwater, 3% is freshwater; most fresh water is in glaciers and groundwater. The water cycle redistributes water through evaporation and precipitation.
The key aspects of water distribution on Earth include the predominance of salt water, with 97% residing in oceans, and the scarcity of fresh water, which makes up only 3%. Freshwater is primarily stored in glaciers, groundwater, and surface waters. The water cycle continuously redistributes water through processes like evaporation and precipitation.
Answer for screen readers
The key aspects of water distribution on Earth include the predominance of salt water, with 97% residing in oceans, and the scarcity of fresh water, which makes up only 3%. Freshwater is primarily stored in glaciers, groundwater, and surface waters. The water cycle continuously redistributes water through processes like evaporation and precipitation.
More Information
Freshwater is vital for most terrestrial life, being more scarce, as it is locked in ice and underground. The water cycle is crucial for maintaining ecological and weather patterns.
Tips
A common mistake is underestimating how much water is stored in glaciers and not appreciating the continuous nature of the water cycle.
Sources
- Distribution of Earth's Water | Physical Geography - Lumen Learning - courses.lumenlearning.com
- Water cycle | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - noaa.gov
- The distribution of water on, in, and above the Earth - USGS.gov - usgs.gov
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