Water cycle- stores of water

Question 1

Describe the Hydrosphere store:

Answer 1

The Oceans
Oceans hold the vast majority of water on earth
Supply 90% of evaporated water into the cycle
Change is only visible over the long term
Last ice age seas 120 meters lower

Question 2

Describe the Atmosphere store:

Answer 2

The Air
Stores 0.001% of Earth’s total water
Main vector for moving water globally
Evapotranspiration moves water into atmosphere
90% of water in atmosphere produced by evaporation
Clouds are the main manifestation of atmospheric water

Question 3

Describe the Cryosphere store:

Answer 3

Ice caps and glaciers
90% of Earth’s ice mass is in Antartica
Ice caps and glaciers cover 10% of Earth’s surface
Sea ice is frozen ocean water surrounding polar regions, it is free floating

Question 4

Describe the Lithosphere store:

Answer 4

Freshwater storage
Large rivers to small streams
represents 2.5% of all water on Earth
Groundwater storage
Infiltrated precipitation
Held underground in aquifers