How much water exists on, in, and above

our planet?
The big blue sphere
represents the volume of all
water on, in, and above the
Earth.
The smaller sphere over
Kentucky represents Earth's
liquid fresh water in
groundwater, swamp water,
rivers, and lakes.
Water Distribution
Water is a finite source.
The Earth is a closed system.
The water that was here billions of
years ago is still here now.
The Earth cleans and replenishes
the water supply through the
hydrologic cycle.
Not that much actually…

Water covers 71% of the Earth’s

surface.
a. 97% is salty water
b. 3% is fresh water
THE FOUR MAJOR OCEANS
Pacific

Atlantic

Indian

Arctic
VOLUME DISTRIBUTION
OF WATER
Water Source Water volume Water volume Percent of Percent of
in cubic miles in cubic Freshwater Total Water

Oceans, 321, 000, 000 1, 338, 000, - 95.4%

Seas and 000
Bays Highest Amount

Ground Ice 71, 970 300, 000 0.86 0.022

and
Permafrost Average Amount

Biological 268 1, 120 0.003 0.0001

Water
Lowest Amount
In Detail
1) Ocean water 97.2 percent
2) Glaciers and other ice 2.15 percent
3) Groundwater 0.61 percent
4) Fresh water lakes 0.009 percent
5) Inland seas 0.008 percent
6) Soil Moisture 0.005 percent
7) Atmosphere 0.001 percent
8) Rivers 0.0001 percent.
(Source: Nace, USGS, 1967 and The Hydrologic Cycle (Pamphlet), USGS, 1984)
Percentage of Water
Classification of water resources:

SURFACE WATER
-Water that is on the surface of the Earth

GLACIERS AND ICE CAPS

-Storehouse of Freshwater

GROUNDWATER
-as water that is found beneath the surface of the
THE STATE OF WATER
The Natural Organisms’ Water
Water Adaptation Pollution
Physical and Alteration of
Chemical Salty water
attributes features

Biological Hazardous
Fresh
attributes for users
WATER QUALITY

• The degree of pollution from the point of

view of organisms living in or using the
water.