Water shell of the Earth. Structure and significance of the hydrosphere

The water shell of the Earth is called the hydrosphere. It refers to all the water on the planet, not only in the liquid, but also in the solid and gaseous states. How did the water shell of the Earth form? How is it distributed on the planet? What does it matter?

Hydrosphere

When the Earth was just formed, it was not therewater. Four billion years ago, our planet was a huge spherical molten body. There is a theory that water appeared simultaneously with the planet. In the form of small ice crystals, it was present in a gas-dust cloud, from which the Earth was formed.

According to another version, falling comets and asteroids "delivered" the water to us. It has long been known that comets are ice blocks with admixtures of methane and ammonia.

Under the influence of high temperatures, icemelted and turned into water and into steam, from which the water shell of the Earth formed. It is called the hydrosphere and is one of the geospheres. Its main quantity is distributed between the lithosphere and the atmosphere. It includes absolutely all the planet's water in any aggregate states, including glaciers, lakes, oceans, rivers, water vapor, etc.

The water shell covers most of the earth'ssurface. It is integral, but not continuous, as it is interrupted by parts of the land. The volume of the hydrosphere is 1400 million cubic meters. Part of the water is contained in the atmosphere (steam) and the lithosphere (the water of the sedimentary cover).

World Ocean

The hydrosphere, the water shell of the Earth, is 96%is represented by the World Ocean. Its salty waters are washed by all the islands and continents. Mainland land divides it into four major parts, which are called oceans:

• Quiet.
• Atlantic.
• Indian.
• Arctic.

In some classifications, the fifth Southernocean. Each of them has its own level of salinity, vegetation, fauna, and also individual features. For example, the Arctic Ocean is the coldest of all. Its central part is covered with ice throughout the year.

The Pacific Ocean is the largest. At its edges is located the Ring of Fire - the area where 328 active volcanoes of the planet are located. The second largest is the Atlantic Ocean, its waters are the most saline. The third largest is the Indian Ocean.

Large areas of the World Ocean form the sea,bays and straits. The seas are usually separated by land and are distinguished by climatic and hydrological conditions. Bays are more open reservoirs. They cut deep into the continents and are subdivided into harbors, lagoons and bays. Straits, however, are long and not too wide objects located between two parts of the land.

Sushi Water

The water envelope of the Earth also includes rivers,underground waters, lakes, marshes, ponds and glaciers. They make up just over 3.5% of the hydrosphere. At the same time, they contain 99% of the planet's fresh water. The most massive "bank" of drinking water are glaciers. Their area is 16 million square meters. km.

Rivers are constant streams that flow in small depressions - channels. They are fed by rain, underground waters, melted glaciers and snow. Rivers flow into lakes and seas, filling them with fresh water.

Lakes do not connect directly to the ocean. They are formed in natural depressions and often do not communicate with other water bodies. Some of them are filled only by precipitation, and can disappear during periods of drought. Unlike rivers, lakes are not only fresh, but also salty.

Underground waters are found in the earth's crust. They exist in the liquid, gaseous and solid state. These waters are formed due to seepage of rivers and atmospheric precipitation into the earth's thickness. They move both horizontally and vertically, and the speed of this process depends on the properties of the rocks in which they flow.

The water cycle

The water shell of the Earth is not static. Its components are constantly in motion. They move in the atmosphere, on the surface of the planet and in its thickness, participating in the cycle of water in nature. Its total number does not change.

The cycle is a closed recurringprocess. It begins with the evaporation of fresh water from land and the upper layers of the ocean. So, it enters the atmosphere and is contained in it in the form of water vapor. Wind currents carry it to other regions of the planet where the vapor falls out with liquid or solid precipitates.

Part of the rainfall remains on the glaciers or on thea few months late at the tops of the mountains. The other part seeps into the ground or evaporates again. Underground waters are filled with streams, rivers that flow into the World Ocean. Thus, the circle closes.

Precipitation falls over water objects. But the seas and oceans give away much more moisture than they get with the rains. Sushi has the opposite. With the help of the water cycle, the water composition of the lakes is able to completely renew in 20 years, the composition of the oceans - only after 3,000 years.

The value of the water envelope of the Earth

The role of the hydrosphere is invaluable. At least because it caused the birth of life on our planet. Many living things live in water and can not exist without it. In any organism contains about 50% water. With its help the metabolism and energy in living cells is carried out.

The Earth's water shell participates in the formation ofclimate and weather. The ocean has a much higher heat capacity than land. It is a huge "battery" that warms the atmosphere of the planet.

Man uses hydrosphere components ineconomic activity and everyday life. Fresh water is drunk, used in the house for washing, cleaning and cooking. It is used as a source of electricity, as well as for medicinal and other purposes.

Conclusion

The water shell of the Earth is the hydrosphere. It includes absolutely all the water on our planet. The hydrosphere was formed billions of years ago. According to scientists, it was in her life was born on Earth.

Shell components are oceans, seas, rivers,lakes, glaciers, etc. Less than three percent of their waters are fresh and suitable for drinking. The rest of the waters are salty. The hydrosphere forms climatic conditions, participates in the formation of relief and maintenance of life on the planet. Its waters are constantly circulating, participating in the cycle of substances in nature.