Water on Earth
This percentage of Earth’s surface is covered by water.
70%
The process where liquid water changes into water vapor.
evaporation
This is the measure of how salty ocean water is.
salinity
This type of pollution comes from a single, identifiable source.
point-source pollution
This is the driving force behind the water cycle.
Sun
Most of Earth’s freshwater is stored in these frozen locations.
glaciers and ice caps
\The process where water vapor cools and forms clouds.
condensation
These are large movements of ocean water that affect climate.
ocean currents
Fertilizer runoff can cause this problem in water, leading to algae growth.
eutrophication
Warmer temperatures generally cause this water cycle process to increase.
evaporation
This is the largest reservoir of water on Earth.
ocean
Water falling from clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
precipitation
This factor (along with salinity) affects the density of ocean water.
temperature
Rhis term describes water that can be safely used by humans.
potable water
This system of deep ocean currents, driven by temperature and salinity, helps regulate Earth’s climate by moving heat around the planet.
global conveyor belt (thermohaline circulation)
This type of water is found underground in spaces between rock and soil.
groundwater
The process where water soaks into the ground.
infiltration
This current carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico toward the East Coast.
Gulf Stream
This process removes salt from ocean water to make it drinkable.
desalination
This phenomenon describes long-term changes in Earth’s temperature and weather patterns.
climate change
Only about this percentage of Earth’s water is freshwater.
3%
This process releases water vapor from plants into the atmosphere.
transpiration
Deep ocean currents are driven by differences in temperature and this factor.
salinity
Pollution that comes from many scattered sources is called this.
nonpoint-source pollution
Melting glaciers contribute to this global issue affecting coastlines
sea level rise