What is the hydrosphere?

We explain what the hydrosphere is and how it is distributed on planet Earth. In addition, some features of this system.

1. What is the hydrosphere?

In the field of Earth Sciences, the system of deposits and circulations of water on the solid surface of the planet , which includes oceans , seas , lakes, rivers, groundwater, ice and snow , is known as hydrosphere.

The Earth is the only planet in the Solar System  that has deposits of liquid water, which makes it ideal for life as we know it. The water covers approximately two thirds of the surface of the terrestrial planet , for a total of roughly 1400 trillion liters, distributed in various steps as follows:

• Oceans : about 1,370,323,000 km3 equivalent to 93.96%
• Water s  underground s : from 60 million to 4 million km3 to 4.12%
• Inland waters and glaciers : 24,000,000 km3 for 1.65%
• Reservoirs and lakes : 280,000 to 5,000 km3 for 0.019%
• Soil moisture : 85,000 km3 for 0.006%
• Atmospheric humidity : 14,000 km3 for 0.001%
• River water : 1,200 km3 for 0.0001%

Depending on where the water is located, its renewal capacity and its rate of change will vary. In its gaseous form it is renewed about 34 times a year completely, while leaving the atmosphere completely in 10 days. Instead, it takes about 3700 years for ocean water to completely renew .

Hydrosphere is in constant movement and exchange of fluids as the water cycle is met or cycle water , in which the liquid evaporates, precipitates and freezes cyclically, depending on the conditions of pressure and temperature in different regions. This cycle is indispensable for life on the planet: precipitation moistens the soil and feeds the mountainous rivers, while evaporation keeps the air moist and removes excess water, perpetuating the cycle.