5. hydrosphere

Return to History 8 Environment Manual Vocabulary [[1]]

The hydrosphere is composed of all the water on or near the surface of the Earth. Ninety-seven percent of the earth's water is in the oceans. The remaining three percent is fresh water and three quarters of the fresh water is solid and is frozen as ice sheets. The hydrosphere includes the water underground, on the surface of the planet, and in the air. It can be liquid, ice, or vapor. Examples of the hydrosphere include rivers, oceans, lakes, clouds and fog in the air, and aquifers and groundwater which are located beneath earth. The frozen part of the hydrosphere consists of icebergs, glaciers, and ice sheets, and can be referred to as the cryosphere. The hydrosphere is always in motion and water moves through it as a cycle, known as the water or hydrologic cycle. Once again, the hydrosphere is the liquid element of the Earth and many plants and animals consider it there home.

[[2]] [[3]] Arabel McFarland /Users/Arabelmcfarland/Pictures/iPhoto Library.photolibrary/Masters/2014/09/18/20140918-201056/watercycle.jpg