Global Water Distribution (Copy)
4.1 Global Water Distribution – Cheat Sheet
Distribution of Earth’s Water
| Category | Percentage of Total Water | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oceans (Saltwater) | ~97% | Largest store of Earth’s water, saline, unsuitable for direct human use | Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Oceans |
| Fresh Water | ~3% | Small fraction, vital for humans, agriculture, industry | See breakdown below |
Fresh Water Breakdown
| Source | % of Fresh Water | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Sheets & Glaciers | ~69% | Locked in Antarctica & Greenland, inaccessible for direct use | Polar ice caps |
| Groundwater | ~30% | Stored in aquifers underground, important source for drinking/irrigation | Ogallala Aquifer (USA) |
| Atmosphere | <1% | Water vapour, clouds, precipitation cycle | Humidity in tropical zones |
| Lakes & Rivers | <1% | Easily accessible, crucial for ecosystems & people | River Nile, Lake Victoria |
Quick Pointers
- Most fresh water is not easily accessible (frozen or underground).
- Rivers & lakes = main sources for human use but tiny proportion of total.
- Uneven global distribution → water scarcity in LEDCs, surplus in others.
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Environmental Management Full Scale Course