Hydrosphere The Distribution of Water on the Earth

Hydrosphere: The Distribution of Water on the Earth

The Hydrosphere consists of ALL bodies of water on the Earth’s surface. OCEANS

Rivers

Streams

Lakes

Water covers approximately 75% of the Earth’s Surface

Water is either FRESH or SALT The Distribution of Water on the Earth

Why do oceans and seas have salty water? • Minerals are found in ROCKS • When rain falls on the rocks it dissolves some of these mineral salts contained in the rocks. • These minerals then run into the oceans/seas where they accumulate. • This “build-up” of Mineral Salts dissolved in these waters make oceans/seas “salty”

Dead Sea Mineral Salts

NOT all LIFE on Earth can LIVE in Salt Water

There are millions of organisms like us that need FRESH WATER to survive which only covers 3% of the Earth’s surface.

AND… 3/4 of the Fresh Water available is found in GLACIERS

Human Beings and other Fresh water Living Organisms have LESS THAN 1% of the Earth’s water to use.

Unfortunately, WE are polluting this SMALL amount of water everyday

Fresh Water: Its Distribution and Use • This Natural Resource is distributed VERY unequally around the world.

The 4 Countries that Have 50% the Planet’s reserves of Fresh Water • Canada • Brazil • United States • China

Drinking Water

Fresh Water must be Drinkable Drinking Water is water that is SAFE to drink.

To be Drinkable, water MUST • Be perfectly transparent (limpid) • Contain only a small quantity of dissolved minerals • Contain dissolved oxygen • NOT contain suspended particles • NOT have an unpleasant odour • NOT contain micro-organisms that can cause disease