The Hydrosphere: The Future Of Water In The World

INTRODUCTION The term hydrosphere refers to all water on a planet, including water found in the ground, and bodies of water such as the ocean, lakes, ponds, and rivers. Clouds and any water in the atmosphere qualify as the hydrosphere. Earth’s hydrosphere is something very unique and essential to life. It is made up of solid, liquid, and vaporized water that can be found under, above, or on the Earth’s surface. The word hydrosphere contains the Greek prefix hydro, which means water, and sphere, which means globe or ball. Water is a necessity for life on Earth, and has been responsible for formations of civilizations and discoveries. There are many aspects of the hydrosphere that are studied today by scientists, such as the water cycle,

About 71 percent “326 million cubic miles” of Earth is water (Mackenzie, F.T. 2014, November 05). This water is a vital matter in human life. Oceans contain some of the most diverse organisms on the planet, that makes them invaluable resources. Freshwater is the only water acceptable for humans to consume, and sources of freshwater also make up the hydrosphere. The hydrologic cycle brings rain that waters plants needed for food, air purification, ecosystems and habitats, and biotic resources drawn from vegetation. That cycle also purifies water and returns freshwater back to it’s source. People use water for transportation, according to the National Ocean Service, “In 2016, the U.S. maritime transportation system carried $1.5 trillion of cargo through U.S. seaports to and from our international trading partners.” The hydrosphere plays a major role not only in U.S. economy, but the way life on Earth

Coastal flooding is now an unfortunately common issue. Ocean acidity is developing into a problem in some areas; if the ocean is too acidic the water can damage some marine animals’ preservative shells or skeletons. Climate change can cause unpredictable and disastrous tropical storms that devastate coastlines and cost millions for government treatment (WWF Global, 2017). Pollution can cause things such as acid rain and poisoning of clean water sources. Acid rain is when a chemical bound to a water molecule and is evaporated with the water into water vapor, since the water cycle only consists of physical changes that cannot separate the molecules, the chemical ends up being precipitated with the water. This can release toxic substances into soil and water sources (Maghee, R., Dias, M., Kattoula, E. and Schuyler, B. 2017, September 27). Pollution and climate change can be calamitous to the hydrosphere and environment in general.

THE HYDROSPHERE AND WEATHER

Hydrospheric cycles and weather cycles sometimes interact with each other, and occasionally share parts. The hydrosphere supplies water vapor, which is the dominant greenhouse gas of the Earth. Precipitation and clouds are formed when this heat moves around. If air is extra humid and heavy with water vapor, it may be easier for a hurricane to form, so the