Earth’s Water Budget

Summary

The video explores Earth's water distribution, revealing that 96.5% of it is in oceans, making it undrinkable. Only 3.5% is fresh water, with much of it locked in glaciers and underground aquifers. Just 0.01% of Earth's water is easily accessible on the surface in lakes, rivers, and swamps. Understanding the water cycle and its movement across different locations is crucial for managing future water needs. NASA's satellite missions play a key role in studying and monitoring these water dynamics, helping to address water availability and hazards on our planet.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Earth has about 370 quintillion gallons of water, spread across various forms like oceans, rivers, and glaciers.
• 🌊 96.5% of Earth's water is in the oceans, which is not drinkable due to its salinity.
• ❄️ Nearly half of the planet's freshwater is frozen in glaciers, ice caps, and permanent snow, making it hard to access.
• 💧 Groundwater is the second most abundant source of freshwater, stored in aquifers beneath the ground.
• 🪨 Groundwater accumulates slowly over centuries, similar to saving money in a bank account.
• 🌿 Only 0.1% of all Earth's water is easily accessible, found in lakes, rivers, and marshes.
• 🌫️ Some of Earth's water exists in less obvious places like permafrost, soil moisture, or as water vapor in the atmosphere.
• 🌦️ Just 0.01% of Earth's water is found on the surface, in the form of lakes and rivers.
• 🔄 The water cycle moves water between different parts of Earth’s water budget, sometimes rapidly and sometimes slowly.
• 🛰️ NASA satellites monitor Earth's water, from ocean currents to groundwater, helping us understand the water budget and cycle.

Q & A

How much water does Earth have in total?

Earth has about 370 quintillion gallons of water.

What percentage of Earth's water is found in the oceans?

96.5% of Earth's water is in the oceans, and it is salty water.

Why can't the majority of Earth's ocean water be used for drinking?

Ocean water is salty and not suitable for drinking or most other human uses.

How much of Earth's water is freshwater, and why is this important?

Only 3.5% of Earth's water is freshwater, which is crucial for drinking, growing crops, and supporting human life.

What challenges exist in accessing freshwater on Earth?

Nearly half of the freshwater is frozen in glaciers, ice caps, and permanent snow, making it difficult to access.

What is groundwater, and why is it important?

Groundwater is freshwater stored in aquifers beneath the Earth's surface. It accumulates slowly and is used for drinking water and irrigation.

What percentage of Earth's water is readily accessible on the surface, such as in lakes and rivers?

Only 0.01% of Earth's water is on the surface, in lakes, rivers, swamps, and marshes.

What is the water cycle, and how does it affect Earth's water distribution?

The water cycle refers to the movement of water between different parts of Earth's water budget, such as evaporation from lakes or groundwater seepage. It can happen quickly or slowly.

What role does NASA play in studying Earth's water system?

NASA uses a fleet of satellites to study the location and movement of Earth's water, including groundwater, ocean currents, and freshwater hazards.

What future challenges does the study of Earth's water help address?

Understanding Earth's water budget and cycle helps plan for future water needs, as access to freshwater becomes more critical for drinking, agriculture, and daily life.