5. hydrosphere

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Water makes up 71% of the Earth, therefore making the hydrosphere huge! The hydrosphere is the water on the surface of the Earth as well as the water vapor in the atmosphere (1). It is represented in many forms and can effect climate change. The hydrosphere encompasses frozen water (cryosphere),such as ice and snow, water vapor, and liquid water. This includes everything from oceans to lakes and rivers. Even a puddle would be part of the entire hydrosphere. The hydrosphere effects climate change because water absorbs solar and man-made heat (2). Ocean currents move this heat to various places all over the world. For example, Britain has a warmer climate than a place in Canada of the same latitude, because a warm water current goes by Britain.

Lexie Farnell

Sources:

(1) http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hydrosphere

(2) http://www.exploratorium.edu/climate/hydrosphere/index.html