The Hydrosphere
The hydrosphere the part of the climate system that includes all water on and around Earth in all forms: solid, liquid, gaseous. Water changes forms and is recycled through the water cycle.
Water Cycle
The water cycle transfers water from one state/reservoir to another. Water goes into the atmosphere through evaporation, usually from the ocean. Water vapour can also be created through sublimation from snow and ice or through plants through a process called transpiration. Water rises through the atmosphere and cools, causing condensation which forms small water droplets. The droplets create clouds, and the droplets gather with other droplets until they are too heavy to stay in the air. When they are too heavy to stay in the air, they precipitate back down to Earth in forms such as rain, snow, hail, etc. This cycle moves helps move water around the world.
Clouds
Clouds are part of the hydrosphere and the water cycle, being condensed water droplets or ice crystals in the troposphere. At any given time, clouds cover 50% of Earth's surface. Clouds also reflect sunlight away from Earth.
Oceans
Earth's oceans are a massive portion of the hydrosphere, covering 70% of Earth's surface. There are five major ocean basins, and they are:
The height of the ocean surface is called sea level. Right now, it is changing due to the melting of glaciers. |
Groundwater
As the name suggests, groundwater is water that has gone into the ground. The area where water gathers and is at a high concentration is called an aquifer, and the highest part of this concentrated area is called the water table. Water gets into an aquifer from the surface (precipitation that hits that surface usually soaks into the ground and sinks to the water table). In dry areas, the water table is very deep in the ground, while in wet areas, the water table is very shallow in the ground. When the water table is higher than the surface of the ground, it presents itself as rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, etc.
Many people get water from wells that tap water from aquifers. However, it can be contaminated by human activity so it needs to be tested often.
Many people get water from wells that tap water from aquifers. However, it can be contaminated by human activity so it needs to be tested often.
Rivers
Rivers can flow both on land and underground, and the flowing of Earth's rivers shape Earth's landscape. The main purpose of rivers is bring water from the ground back to the ocean. The areas where a river meets an ocean is called a delta, and when fresh water meets with salt water, it creates a special environment called an estuary.
Role of the Hydrosphere in Earth's Climate System
The hydrosphere absorbs 90% of solar radiation and helps distribute it to places that need it. Bodies of water absorb and store more energy than land, while also taking a longer time to heat up/cool down. This causes warmer winters and cooler summers for areas around reservoirs of water. Also, regions near bodies of water typically get more snow in winter. It works with the atmosphere to redistribute energy throughout Earth. Particularly, it brings energy to areas that are not exposed to much radiation (such as the poles).