Hydrosphere: Definition, Components, Hydrological Cycle & Importance

Hydrosphere is defined as a combined mass of water that is found all around the surface of earth. The frozen and liquid water covers approximately 75% of the Earth's surface. Freshwater, which is found in rivers, lakes, and groundwater, makes up a minor fraction of the water present on Earth. Our hydrosphere distinguishes Earth from the other planets in the Solar System, and gives it its blue marble-like appearance.

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What is Hydrosphere?

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Water, the most abundant substance in our planet's environment, is available everywhere on Earth in liquid, solid, and vapor stages. The presence of water on Earth distinguishes it from other planets in the Solar System, which do not have water. The hydrosphere includes all of the water on the Earth's surface. Saltwater, freshwater, frozen water, and groundwater are all included in it. The hydrosphere provides the moisture necessary for the weathering of rocks in the geosphere.

Four Spheres of Earth

Therefore, it is connected to all four spheres of the Earth system. Water is required for the survival of life on Earth. The energy exchanges between the Atmosphere, Cryosphere, Hydrosphere, and Geosphere assist to define the Earth's climate and are responsible for change in weather and climate. The hydrosphere is significant because the water supports a variety of living forms. Now, let’s have a look on the components that envelops the entire hydrosphere: 

Components of Hydrosphere

Components of Hydrosphere are:

1. Oceans: Most of the water on our planet is salt water, and the vast majority of this saltwater is present in the oceans.
2. Freshwater: Freshwater is much less abundant than saltwater, and is present in a variety of different places.
3. Surface Water: Surface sources of freshwater consist of lakes, rivers, and streams.
4. Groundwater: Freshwater stored beneath the ground makes up a small portion of the fresh water on Earth.
5. Glacial Water: Water that melts off of glaciers.

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Hydrological Cycle

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The hydrological cycle also called the water cycle, is a cyclic process that involves a sequence of events during the movement of water from clouds to land, the ocean, and back to the clouds. Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and surface run-off are the four stages of water cycle.

• The heat of the sun evaporates water from lakes, seas, streams, and other bodies of water through the process of evaporation.
• When hot air carries water vapour away from the earth's surface, it begins to cool.
• Later, it takes the shape of clouds through the process of condensation.
• Cloud particles clash, grow, and fall out of the sky as precipitation as the air currents carry clouds around the world.
• Little amount of rain falls as snow, which can form ice caps and glaciers that retain frozen water for millions of years.
• When spring approaches, snowpacks soften and melt, and the melted water flows.

Hydrological Cycle

When water condenses in clouds, it gets heavy and, depending on the temperature of the atmosphere, begins to fall as snow or rain through precipitation. The majority of precipitation falls into the seas or onto land, where it runs over the ground as surface runoff owing to gravity. Lakes collect runoff and groundwater seepage and store it as freshwater.

However, not all runoff ends up in rivers. Infiltration absorbs a large portion of it. Some water seeps deep into the earth, replenishing aquifers (saturated subsurface rock) that may hold large volumes of freshwater for extended periods of time. Some groundwater seeps back into surface-water bodies as groundwater discharge, whereas other groundwater finds holes in the land surface and emerges as freshwater springs. However, over time, all of this water continues to move, part of it returning to the ocean, where the water cycle "ends."

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Importance of Hydrosphere

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The hydrosphere is extremely important since it is essential for the existence of all living forms. Here are some of the hydrosphere's important roles:

1. A part of a living cell

Water makes up at least 75 percent of each cell in a living creature. This encourages the cell to operate normally. The majority of chemical reactions in living organisms involve elements dissolved in water. Without water, no cell would survive or be able to carry out its usual duties.

2. Provides a Home for Diverse Life Forms

The hydrosphere serves as a vital habitat for a variety of plants and animals. Water dissolves several nutrients, including nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium ions, as well as gases like carbon dioxide and oxygen. These chemicals are essential for the survival of life in water.

3. Control the weather

The specific heat of water is one of its distinguishing features. Water takes a long time to heat up and cool down. It aids in the regulation of Earth's temperatures, ensuring that they remain within a range that is suitable for the existence of life on the planet.

4. Atmosphere Existence

The hydrosphere makes a considerable contribution to the current state of the atmosphere. When the world was created, it just had a thin atmosphere. This atmosphere was comparable to Mercury's present atmosphere as it was densely packed with helium and hydrogen.

Helium and hydrogen were evacuated from the atmosphere subsequently. As the Earth cooled, gases and water vapor were created, forming the present atmosphere. This occurrence is thought to have occurred 400 million years ago.

5. Human Requirements

Aside from drinking, water is utilized for human activities for both home and industrial functions, such as cooking and cleaning. Water may be utilized for transportation, agriculture, and hydropower generation, among other things.

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Impact of Human Activities on Hydrosphere

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The need for water will rise as the population grows. Our lakes, rivers, freshwater ponds, and wells, on the other hand, are dwindling. The freshwater shortage is expected to become a major issue in the future years. The major cause of depletion of water supplies and degradation of the hydrosphere is irresponsible human activities. 

• Tree cutting has a negative impact on the ecosystem and contributes to global warming. 
• Industrial waste, hazardous chemicals, pesticides, radioactive substances, and plastics discharged into water bodies have a negative influence on the freshwater system as well as aquatic flora and animals. 
• Fossil fuel combustion is the primary source of hazardous greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. Acid rain is caused by these gases.
• When this water collects in the hydrosphere, it becomes acidified. The majority of fishes cannot survive in acidified water, and their numbers have been steadily declining.

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How to Conserve Hydrosphere?

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The presence of the hydrosphere is necessary for the survival of life on the planet. We can all take small actions that contribute to large-scale water conservation. 

1. Educate youngsters about the importance of water and teach them how to conserve our hydrosphere. Small modifications that begin in each home have a large impact on the preservation of the environment.
2. Preventing oil spills that are one of the most common causes of hydrosphere damage. Because oil dispersion on the water's surface generates a thin layer that impedes the evaporation process. 
3. Grow native plants that may not necessitate a lot of water or fertilizer.
4. Properly dispose harmful chemical substances such as paint, medication bottles, plastics, and other hazardous items.
5. Do not put rubbish into ponds and wells.
6. Check for leaks in the toilets and faucets throughout the house.
7. Only use a little amount of water to wash the veggies, clothing, and automobiles.

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Things to Remember

• The hydrologic cycle is the primary means through which the hydrosphere interacts with the atmosphere and lithosphere.
• The hydrosphere accounts for around 1.41018 tonnes of Earth's total mass or about 0.023 percent of the planet's total mass. 
• Approximately 68.7% of freshwater is found in the form of perpetual snow. This can be found in the Arctic and Antarctic, as well as on other mountain glaciers.
• Temperature and pressure in the hydrosphere are thought to change dramatically with depth. 
• Ocean currents always flow from East to West as the Earth rotates from West to East. Near the equator, when the Coriolis force is near zero, the currents are more noticeable
• The hydrosphere, like the environment, is thought to be in perpetual motion.