We explain what the hydrosphere is and how it is distributed on planet Earth. Also, some features of this system.
What is the hydrosphere?
In the field of Earth Sciences, the hydrosphere is known as the system of deposits and circulations of the Water that is on the solid surface of the planet, and that includes oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, groundwater, ice and snow.
The Earth It is the only planet in the Solar system that presents deposits of liquid water, which makes it suitable for life as we know it. Water covers approximately two thirds of the surface of the earth's planet, for a total of more or less 1,400 trillion liters, distributed in various steps as follows:
- Oceans. Some 1,370,323,000 km3 equivalent to 93.96%
- Waters undergrounds. From 60,000,000 to 4,000,000 km3 for 4.12%
- Inland waters and glaciers. 24,000,000 km3 for 1.65%
- Reservoirs and lakes. from 280,000 to 5,000 km3 for 0.019%
- Humidity of the soils. 85,000 km3 for 0.006%
- Atmospheric humidity 14,000 km3 for 0.001%
- River water. 1,200 km3 for 0.0001%
Depending on where the water is located, its capacity for renewal and its rate of change will vary. In its gaseous form, it is completely renewed about 34 times a year, while it is completely removed from the atmosphere In 10 days. In contrast, ocean water takes about 3,700 years to completely renew itself.
The hydrosphere is in constant movement and fluid exchange as the water cycle is completed or water cycle, in which this liquid evaporates, precipitates and freezes cyclically, depending on the conditions of Pressure Y temperature of the different regions. This cycle is essential for life on the planet: precipitation moistens soils and feeds the mountain rivers, while the evaporation keep the air wet and removes excess water, perpetuating the cycle.