Water cycle stores

Question 1

Oceanic water

Answer 1

Water that contains dissolved salts and can be found in oceans/seas
96.9% of all water
4000 years

Question 2

Sea ice

Answer 2

Ice that is formed when water in oceans freezes
6 months-4 years

Question 3

Ice sheets

Answer 3

A mass of glacial land ice extending more than 50000km2
1000000 years

Question 4

Ice caps

Answer 4

A mass of glacial land ice extending less than 50000km2
10-10000 years
68.7% of freshwater is in ice caps and glaciers

Question 5

Alpine glaciers

Answer 5

Thick masses of ice found in deep valleys or in upland hollows

Question 6

Permafrost

Answer 6

Ground that remains below 0 degrees for at least 2 consecutive years

Question 7

Surface water

Answer 7

Bodies of water (e.g., rivers, lakes, or ponds) with one surface open to the atmosphere
rivers- 2 weeks
lakes- 20 years
wetlands- 1-10 years

Question 8

Groundwater

Answer 8

Water that collects underground in pores of rocks
30% of all freshwater
2 weeks- 10000 years

Question 9

Soil water

Answer 9

Water that is held, with air, in unsaturated upper weathered layers of earth
2 weeks- 1 year

Question 10

Biological water

Answer 10

Water stored in biomass
0.26% of surface water
1 week

Question 11

Atmospheric water

Answer 11

Water that is held (typically as water vapour) in the atmosphere
0.04% of freshwater
9 days