Jonah Patel
Water covers approximately 71% of the Earth's surface, with the ocean storing around 96.5% of all water on the planet. The remaining 3.5% of water is freshwater lakes, rivers, streams, and frozen water locked up in glaciers and polar ice caps. The vastness of the oceans is imperative for sustaining life, regulating temperature, and influencing weather patterns. Water is also found in the air as vapour, in the ground as soil moisture, and even in our bodies. The Earth's liquid freshwater is found in groundwater, swamp water, and lakes, with most of the water people and life on Earth need every day coming from these surface-water sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fraction of Earth's surface covered by water | 71% |
| Fraction of Earth's surface covered by land | 29% |
| Fraction of Earth's water that is saline | 96% |
| Fraction of Earth's water that is freshwater | 3.5% |
| Fraction of Earth's freshwater locked up in ice and glaciers | 68% |
| Fraction of Earth's freshwater in the ground | 30% |
| Fraction of Earth's freshwater in rivers | 0.0001% |
| Fraction of Earth's water that is usable by people | 0.3% |
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What You'll Learn
Oceans cover 71% of the Earth's surface
The Earth is often referred to as the "blue planet" due to the vast coverage of ocean water on its surface. Oceans cover approximately 71% of the Earth's surface, or about 361 million square kilometres. This makes the fraction of Earth's surface covered by oceans approximately 510/361, which simplifies to about 0.71 or 71%. This means that if you were to look at Earth from space, you would see mostly blue because of the vastness of the oceans.
The oceans play a crucial role in the planetary ecosystem, influencing climate and weather patterns and providing a home to diverse marine life. They are a major component of the hydrosphere, covering more surface than land. The vastness of the oceans is imperative for sustaining life through the regulation of temperature and weather patterns, and by supporting marine life forms, which are an integral part of the Earth's biosphere. Oceans are the largest storehouse of water on Earth, with over 96% of all the planet's water found in them. This means that about 97% of Earth's water is saline water.
The oceans also contribute significantly to global ecosystems and provide resources for humans. They allow water to move all around the globe as ocean currents and provide evaporated water to the water cycle. Water also exists in the air as water vapour, in rivers and lakes, in icecaps and glaciers, in the ground as soil moisture and in aquifers.
The remaining 29% of the Earth's surface is covered by land. Of this, Russia is the largest country in terms of area, covering 3.35% of the Earth's surface. Canada and China are the next largest, covering 1.96% and 1.88% of the Earth's surface, respectively. Together, these three countries make up about 7.2% of the Earth's land surface.
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96.5% of all Earth's water is saltwater
Water covers about 71% of the Earth's surface, with 96.5% of that water being saltwater. This means that saltwater, found in the oceans, constitutes about 68% of the Earth's surface. The oceans are, by far, the largest storehouse of water on Earth, with the total volume of water on Earth estimated at 1.386 billion cubic kilometers (333 million cubic miles). Of this vast volume of water, 1.335 billion cubic kilometers (321 million cubic miles) is saltwater.
The remainder of Earth's water constitutes the planet's freshwater resources. Typically, freshwater is defined as water with a salinity of less than 1% of that of the oceans. Water with a salinity between this level and 1% is typically referred to as marginal water as it is unsuitable for many uses by humans and animals. The ratio of saltwater to freshwater on Earth is around 50:1.
Freshwater is very unevenly distributed across the planet. Most freshwater exists in the form of ice, snow, groundwater, and soil moisture, with only 0.3% in liquid form on the surface. Of this liquid surface freshwater, 87% is contained in lakes, 11% in swamps, and 2% in rivers. Rivers, however, are the source of most of the fresh surface water people use. The distribution of river runoff across the Earth's surface is very uneven, with variations within regions. For example, a quarter of Australia's limited renewable freshwater supply is found in the uninhabited Cape York Peninsula.
Groundwater, which is water that infiltrates the ground through porous materials and fills pores and fractures in layers of underground rock called aquifers, is of great value, especially in arid countries such as China. It is easier to store in hot and dry climates than surface water because it is more shielded from evaporation. However, groundwater recharge is much more difficult to accurately measure than surface runoff, so it is generally not used when even limited levels of surface water are available.
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68% of freshwater is locked up in ice and glaciers
It is estimated that 68% of the Earth's freshwater is locked up in ice and glaciers, which are not easily accessible for human use. This accounts for about 2.1% of all of Earth's water. Glaciers and ice caps hold a significant amount of the Earth's freshwater, with freshwater constituting about 2.5% of all the water on Earth. The vast majority of water on Earth is saline water in the oceans.
Freshwater is a critical resource for human survival, yet it only constitutes a small fraction of the Earth's total water supply. Of the freshwater available, approximately 68% is stored in glaciers and ice caps, which are not easily accessible. Only a small fraction, less than 1%, is available for human use in the form of surface water in rivers, lakes, and groundwater. This highlights the importance of responsible water management and the need to ensure sustainable access to this precious resource.
The distribution of glaciers and ice caps varies across the globe. Antarctica holds the largest volume of glacial ice, with about 91% of all glacier ice found on the continent. Greenland is the second-largest reservoir, containing about 8% of the world's glacier ice. North America, specifically Alaska, contributes less than 0.5%, while Asia accounts for 0.2%. South America, Europe, Africa, New Zealand, and Indonesia each have less than 0.1% of the world's glacier ice.
The age of glacier ice also varies, with the oldest ice in Antarctica estimated to be approximately 1,000,000 years old. In Greenland, the oldest glacier ice is more than 100,000 years old, while in Alaska, the oldest recovered ice is about 30,000 years old. These ancient glaciers are a valuable source of information for scientists studying climate change and the Earth's history.
The presence of glaciers and ice caps has a significant impact on the Earth's climate and weather patterns. For example, the melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet has been linked to "blocking events," where high-pressure systems remain parked over an area for extended periods, affecting weather patterns. Additionally, the loss of sea ice in the Arctic has been associated with rainier summers in western Europe and more extreme heat waves in the United States and other regions.
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Groundwater constitutes 30% of freshwater
Groundwater is a critical component of the Earth's freshwater resources, constituting approximately 30% of the total freshwater available. This hidden resource, stored in the ground, plays a vital role in sustaining life and supporting various human activities.
Groundwater is defined as water that infiltrates into the ground through porous materials, eventually filling the pores and fractures in layers of underground rock called aquifers. These aquifers are bodies of porous rock or sediment saturated with groundwater, and they are essential for storing and supplying freshwater. While it is less visible than surface water sources such as rivers, wetlands, lakes, or reservoirs, groundwater accounts for a significant proportion of the Earth's freshwater.
The importance of groundwater cannot be overstated. Firstly, it serves as a primary source of drinking water for millions of people worldwide. In the United States, for example, groundwater supplies 38% of the country's drinking water, and in regions like Florida, it is critical for both human and wildlife populations, including manatees. Additionally, groundwater plays a crucial role in agriculture, providing water for irrigation and supporting the farms that feed us.
Beyond its direct use, groundwater has indirect applications that are vital to modern life. It helps maintain water levels in rivers and lakes, ensuring a consistent water supply in areas with scarce visible water sources, such as desert towns in the western United States. Furthermore, groundwater is used to cool data centers, keeping the internet running smoothly. It also supports various industries, including energy production, mining, and manufacturing.
Despite its significance, groundwater faces several challenges. Firstly, it is subject to depletion due to human activities, particularly agricultural irrigation, which accounts for about 70-90% of total freshwater consumption. Inefficient irrigation practices further contribute to unnecessary groundwater withdrawals. Additionally, groundwater is susceptible to pollution from contaminants such as paint and motor oil, which can seep into the earth and render large quantities of water unsafe for consumption. Protecting and conserving groundwater resources are essential steps in ensuring the long-term availability of this valuable hidden resource.
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Humans use surface water more than groundwater
Groundwater is an essential source of water for humans, with nearly 50% of the global population relying on it for drinking water. It is also crucial for agriculture, providing 43% of water used for irrigation. However, humans use surface water more than groundwater due to several factors.
Surface water is any freshwater found on the Earth's surface, including streams, lakes, wetlands, and reservoirs. It is more accessible and visible than groundwater, making it a more convenient source of water for human use. Surface water is also used extensively for irrigation, despite concerns about low efficiency and over-extraction. Globally, agricultural use of surface water and groundwater accounts for about 70-90% of total freshwater consumption, with irrigation efficiency estimated at only 20-30%.
Groundwater, on the other hand, is found beneath the Earth's surface in aquifers, which are porous rock or sediment layers saturated with water. While groundwater is typically cleaner and less vulnerable to pollution than surface water, it is not as easily accessible. Constructing and operating extraction wells or using existing natural springs are common methods for obtaining groundwater.
The extensive treatment required for surface water due to its higher likelihood of contamination can be a challenge. However, this challenge also presents opportunities for innovation in water purification methods. Additionally, surface water sources are more susceptible to the impacts of climate change and rapid population growth, leading to concerns about sustainability and the need for alternative solutions.
In certain regions, such as Nevada, USA, surface water availability is limited, making groundwater-dependent ecosystems critical for native species' survival. As climate change intensifies, groundwater stores will become increasingly vital for maintaining access to safe, drinkable water. Sustainable management of groundwater is essential to address the challenges posed by a growing global population and the need for food production without destroying natural resources.
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Frequently asked questions
Water covers approximately 71% of the Earth's surface, with the ocean constituting about 96.5% of all water on the planet.
Land constitutes about 29% of the Earth's surface, with the continents and islands making up this fraction.
About 3.5% of the Earth's water is freshwater, with the majority of it 68% locked up in ice and glaciers.
