The water shell of the Earth is called the hydrosphere. All water on the planet refers to it, and not only in liquid, but also in solid and gaseous states. How was the water shell of the Earth formed? How is it distributed on the planet? What does it matter?
Hydrosphere
When the Earth was just formed, there was no water on it. Four billion years ago, our planet was a huge spherical molten body. There is a theory that water appeared simultaneously with the planet. In the form of small ice crystals, it was present in the gas-dust cloud, from which the Earth was formed.
According to another version, falling comets and asteroids “delivered” us water. It has long been known that comets are blocks of ice with impurities of methane and ammonia.
Under the influence of high temperatures, the ice melted and turned into water and steam, from which the Earth's water shell formed. It is called the hydrosphere and is one of the geospheres. Its main quantity is distributed between the lithosphere and the atmosphere. Absolutely all the planet’s water in any aggregate states, including glaciers, lakes, seas, oceans, rivers, water vapor, etc., refers to it.
The water shell covers most of the earth's surface. It is integral, but not continuous, as it is interrupted by land areas. The hydrosphere is 1,400 million cubic meters. Part of the water is contained in the atmosphere (steam) and the lithosphere (sedimentary cover water).
World Ocean
The hydrosphere, the water shell of the Earth, is 96% represented by the oceans. Its salty waters wash all islands and continents. The mainland divides it into four large parts, which are called oceans:
- Quiet.
- Atlantic.
- Indian.
- Arctic.
In some classifications, the fifth Southern Ocean is distinguished. Each of them has its own level of salinity, vegetation, fauna, as well as individual characteristics. For example, the Arctic Ocean is the coldest of all. Its central part is covered with ice all year round.
The Pacific Ocean is the largest. Along its edges is the Ring of Fire - an area where 328 active volcanoes of the planet are located. The second largest is the Atlantic Ocean, its waters are the most saline. The third largest is the Indian Ocean.
Large sections of the oceans form the seas, bays and straits. The seas are usually isolated by land and differ in climatic and hydrological conditions. Bays are more open reservoirs. They cut deep into the continents and are divided into harbors, lagoons and bays. Straits are called long and not too wide objects located between two land areas.
Sushi water
The water envelope of the Earth also includes rivers, groundwaters , lakes, swamps, ponds and glaciers. They make up slightly more than 3.5% of the hydrosphere. At the same time, they contain 99% of the planet’s fresh water. The most massive drinking water bank is glaciers. Their area is 16 million square meters. km
Rivers are constant streams that flow in small indentations - channels. They are fed by rains, groundwater, melt glaciers and snow. Rivers flow into lakes and seas, saturating them with fresh water.
Lakes do not connect directly to the ocean. They are formed in natural depressions and often do not bind to other bodies of water. Some of them are filled only due to precipitation, and can disappear during periods of drought. Unlike rivers, lakes are not only fresh, but also salty.
Groundwater is found in the earth's crust. They exist in a liquid, gaseous and solid state. These waters are formed due to seepage of rivers and precipitation into the Earth. They move both horizontally and vertically, and the speed of this process depends on the properties of the rocks in which they flow.
The water cycle
The water shell of the Earth is not static. Its components are constantly in motion. They move in the atmosphere, on the surface of the planet and in its thickness, participating in the water cycle in nature. Its total quantity does not change.
The cycle is a closed repetitive process. It begins with the evaporation of fresh water from land and the upper layers of the ocean. So, it enters the atmosphere and is contained in it in the form of water vapor. Wind flows carry it to other parts of the planet where the vapor is precipitated by liquid or solid precipitation.
Part of the rainfall remains on the glaciers or lingers on the tops of the mountains for several months. The other part seeps underground or evaporates again. Groundwater is filled with streams, rivers that flow into the oceans. Thus, the circle closes.
Precipitation also falls over water bodies. But the seas and oceans give away much more moisture than they receive with rains. Sushi is the opposite. With the help of the cycle, the water composition of lakes is able to completely renew in 20 years, the composition of the oceans - only after 3,000 years.
The value of the earth's water shell
The role of the hydrosphere is invaluable. At least due to the fact that it became the reason for the origin of life on our planet. Many living creatures live in water and cannot exist without it. Any body contains about 50% water. With its help, metabolism and energy in living cells is carried out.
The water shell of the Earth is involved in the formation of climate and weather. The oceans have a much greater heat capacity than land. It is a huge "battery" that warms the atmosphere of the planet.
Man uses the components of the hydrosphere in economic activities and everyday life. They drink fresh water, use it in the house for washing, cleaning and cooking. It is used as a source of electricity, as well as for medicinal and other purposes.
Conclusion
The water shell of the Earth is the hydrosphere. It includes absolutely all the water on our planet. The hydrosphere formed billions of years ago. According to scientists, it was in her that life on Earth was born.
Shell components are oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, glaciers, etc. Less than three percent of their waters are fresh and drinkable. The remaining waters are salty. The hydrosphere forms climatic conditions, participates in the formation of the relief and the maintenance of life on the planet. Its waters are constantly circulating, participating in the cycle of substances in nature.