Water Resources : An Overview, Facts and Types of Water Resources

Water is like the lifeblood of our planet, always moving and changing form. It’s gentle enough to shape the land slowly but can also be powerful enough to crash against coasts. Water is everywhere, and it’s vital for life. It is necessary to support life on the Earth. That’s why scientists look for the possibility of water on another planet, even to think about living there in the future. Here in this article, you can get to know the complete information about Water Resources: An Overview, Facts and Types of Water Resources.

Water Resources

What is water?

Chemically, water is a molecule of hydrogen and oxygen (H2O). It can be found in three forms (states): solid, liquid, and vapor.

The word resource means something available to use. Therefore, water resources can be defined as the resources that are available on earth to be used by humans, animals, birds, trees, plants, and anything else we see around us on this earth.

Interesting Facts about Water

Aspect	Interesting Facts about Water
Chemical Formula	H2O (two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to one oxygen atom)
Physical State	Naturally exists in all three states: liquid, solid (ice), and gas (vapour)
Boiling Point	100°C (212°F) at 1 atmosphere of pressure
Freezing Point	0°C (32°F) at 1 atmosphere of pressure
Density	Maximum density at 4°C; ice is less dense than liquid water, which is why it floats
Surface Tension	High surface tension due to hydrogen bonding, allowing for phenomena like water striders walking on water surfaces
Solvent Properties	Known as the “universal solvent” as it dissolves more substances than any other liquid
Heat Capacity	High specific heat capacity, which helps regulate Earth’s temperature
pH Level	Pure water has a pH of 7, making it neutral
Polar Molecule	Uneven distribution of electron density makes it a polar molecule, contributing to its solvent properties
Global Distribution	Covers about 71% of Earth’s surface, but less than 3% is freshwater; most of the freshwater is not easily accessible
Water Cycle	Continuous movement through the cycle of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff

Types of Water Resources

The sources of water are categorized in three ways, which are:

1. Saltwater Resources

Saltwater resources refer primarily to the oceans, which cover about 71% of the Earth’s surface. These bodies of water have a high salt content, primarily sodium chloride (NaCl), which makes them unsuitable for direct human consumption or agricultural use without desalination. Despite the salinity, these waters are crucial for marine ecosystems, climate regulation, and as a resource for salt and potentially desalinated drinking water.

2. Groundwater Resources

Groundwater is the water that resides under the Earth’s surface, filling the porous spaces in soil, sediment, and rocks. It is accessed through wells and springs and is a major source of fresh water for agricultural, industrial, and domestic use. Generally, groundwater is naturally filtered and may require less treatment than surface water, but it can be susceptible to contamination from surface activities.

3. Surface Water Resources

This category includes all the water that is found on the surface of the Earth, such as rivers, lakes, streams, and reservoirs. Surface water is a significant source of fresh water for human consumption, agriculture, and industrial use. It is more exposed and thus more vulnerable to pollution and environmental changes compared to groundwater.

What is the water cycle?

The water cycle is also known as the hydrological cycle. It is a combination of some steps that show the process of the formation of water in the environment and its circulation through natural means.

The steps in the process are:

• Evaporation: Through this process, water is transferred from the Earth’s surface (such as soil, snow, and ice) to the environment in the form of vapor.
• Transpiration is the evaporation through the pores of leaves in plants.
• Condensation: At this stage, water is converted from its gaseous form (vapor) to its liquid form.
• Precipitation: After the condensation, a large amount of water comes out of the earth in the form of rain.
• Runoff: The water left on the earth in the oceans, seas, and rivers after evaporation and percolation is classified as runoff water.

Uses of water

Water is used as a resource by humans in various activities that are related to agriculture, industry, and day-to-day life to survive. The use of water for plants and trees is more related to photosynthesis and growth. The birds and animals use the water simply to survive and satisfy their thirst. Some even use it as their home and habitat for fish, ducks, and so on.

Water Pollution

When large amounts of intoxicants, chemicals in the form of radioactive materials, or sewage are released into the water sources, It makes the water unfit for its natural functioning as well as destroys quality. This process is called water pollution. Water scarcity has become one of the biggest issues in today’s world. The problem isn’t just the quantity but the quality as well.

The main sources of water pollution are:

• Use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture
• Intoxicants released by the industrial sector
• Sewage disposal by the whole species of human beings

Conclusion

Water resource management has been both a traditional and modern way to conserve and save water. There have been many initiatives led by governments, institutions, and individuals to save water. Some of the ways to manage the water resources are to harvest the water through various techniques used by locals worldwide, regulations, and desalination projects by the government.

FAQs on Water Resources:

Q 1. What is water?

Water is a chemical compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen. It is essential to life on Earth. It is found in three forms: solid, liquid, and gas.

Q 2. What are the water resources?

Water as a resource can be defined as something available for the use of humans, animals, plants, and other living organisms.

Q 3. What is the water cycle?

The water cycle is a continuous natural process of water movement throughout the environment. It includes evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.

Q 4. What is water pollution?

When harmful substances are released into the water that degrade its natural quality, this is known as water pollution.

Q 5. What are the sources of water on earth?

There are various sources of water on the earth, which are oceans, seas, rivers, groundwater, lakes, glaciers, and snowfields.