The water shell of the Earth is called the hydrosphere. It includes all water on the planet, and not only in liquid, but also in solid and gaseous states. How was the Earth's water layer formed? How is it distributed on the planet? What does it matter?
Hydrosphere
When the Earth first 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 at the same time as the planet. In the form of small ice crystals, it was present in the gas and dust cloud from which the Earth was formed.
According to another version, falling comets and asteroids “delivered” water to us. It has long been known that comets are ice blocks with impurities of methane and ammonia.
Under the influence of high temperatures, the ice melted and turned into water and steam, from which the water shell of the Earth was formed. It is called the hydrosphere and is one of the geospheres. Its main amount is distributed between the lithosphere and the atmosphere. It includes absolutely all the water of the planetin any state of aggregation, including glaciers, lakes, seas, oceans, rivers, water vapor, etc.
The water shell covers most of the earth's surface. It is solid, but not continuous, as it is interrupted by land areas. The volume of the hydrosphere is 1400 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 World Ocean. Its s alty waters wash all the islands and continents. Continental land 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 s alty. The third largest is the Indian Ocean.
Large areas of the World Ocean form seas, bays and straits. The seas are usually isolated by land and differ in climatic and hydrological conditions. Bays are more open bodies of water. They cut deep into the continents and are divided into harbors, lagoons and bays. Straits are long and not too wide objects located between two land areas.
Land waters
The water shell of the Earth also includes rivers, underground waters, lakes, swamps, ponds and glaciers. They make up a little more than 3.5% of the hydrosphere. At the same time, they contain 99% of the planet's fresh water. The most massive "bank" of drinking water are glaciers. Their area is 16 million square meters. km.
Rivers are constant streams that flow in small depressions - channels. They are fed by rain, groundwater, melted glaciers and snow. Rivers flow into lakes and seas, saturating them with fresh water.
Lakes are not connected directly to the ocean. They form in natural depressions and often do not communicate with other water bodies. Some of them are filled only due to rainfall, and may disappear during periods of drought. Unlike rivers, lakes are not only fresh, but also s alty.
Groundwater is found in the earth's crust. They exist in liquid, gaseous and solid states. These waters are formed due to the 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.
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 amount does not change.
Cycleis a closed iterative 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 currents carry it to other parts of the planet, where the vapor falls as liquid or solid precipitation.
Part of the precipitation remains on the glaciers or lingers for several months on the tops of the mountains. The other part seeps into the ground or evaporates again. Groundwater fills streams, rivers that flow into the oceans. Thus, the circle closes.
Precipitation also falls over water bodies. But the seas and oceans give off much more moisture than they receive with rain. Sushi is the opposite. With the help of the cycle, the water composition of lakes can be completely renewed 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 cause of the origin of life on our planet. Many living beings live in water and cannot exist without it. Every organism contains about 50% water. With its help, the 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 world's 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. Fresh water is drunk, used in the house for washing, cleaning and cooking. Herused 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 was formed billions of years ago. According to scientists, it was in it that life on Earth originated.
Shell components are oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, glaciers, etc. Less than three percent of their waters are fresh and drinkable. The rest of the water is s alty. The hydrosphere forms climatic conditions, participates in the formation of relief and the maintenance of life on the planet. Its waters constantly circulate, participating in the cycle of substances in nature.
