Importance of Hydrosphere - Definition, Components, FAQs

Try to imagine a world that has no rivers, lakes, or seas, in other words, no water. Life would not exist. The hydrosphere refers to that portion of the earth where all the water in the earth is located including water in the oceans, rivers, glaciers, underground water, or water vapor in the air. It covers up to 71% of the surface and for this, many call the Earth the blue planet. This water is used for both the support of life, to regulate climate, and for other uses such as drinking and washing as well as for the provision of crops. In this article, we will learn about hydrosphere and it's importance in detail.

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What is Hydrosphere?

Hydrosphere meaning- The word ‘hydro’ has its origination in the ancient Greek language. The sphere of water present on the earth is called the hydrosphere.

Hydrosphere definition- Hydrosphere refers to the total amount of water present on the earth's surface surrounding all of its forms(soild, liquid, and gas). It consists of:

• Oceans: It covers about 71% of Earth's surface.
• Lakes, rivers, and streams: Freshwater sources
• Glaciers and ice caps: They are found in polar regions and mountain ranges.
• Groundwater: It is the water stored beneath Earth's surface in aquifers.
• Water vapor: They are present in the atmosphere as part of the water cycle.

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Introduction to Earth’s hydrosphere-

Here are some of key points about hydrosphere-

• Earth is the only planet where life is possible because of the availability of life sources such as water, atmosphere, and land. Of all the life sources water is present for more than 71% of the area. Because of this reason, Earth is known as a Blue planet.
• The environment around us comprises biotic as well as abiotic components. Biotic components are all the components that can reflect life processes such as excretion, and reproduction. Abiotic components are non-living things. Non-living things have either come to existence due to natural processes or they were constructed by human beings.
  example- mountains and oceans are natural abiotic components of the environment, and plants, and animals are the biotic components of the environment.
• Dividing the Earth’s environment into biotic and abiotic components is one way to understand Earth’s Diversity. However, understanding Earth concerning its physical features gives a better insight into the overlap and interaction between biotic and abiotic components of the Earth.
  A large percentage of the Earth’s surface i.e., 71% contains water. This 71% of water is called a hydrosphere. 97% of the water present on the surface of Earth is present in the oceans and is too salty to use. Only 3% of the rest of the water is available as groundwater, running water, ice, glaciers, and water vapor are present in the atmosphere.
• However, water available for usage is a very small percentage for consumption such as drinking, washing, and irrigation. This variety of chemical and energy exchanges takes place in this sphere of the earth. Vital processes such as the water cycle take place in this sphere.
• The hydrosphere is a mutual term representing all the water bodies on earth such as oceans, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, glaciers, and groundwater.
• The lithosphere, Atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere are the four important spheres of Earth.
• The atmosphere is the gaseous envelope around us where oxygen, nitrogen, carbon- dioxide are found together.
• The lithosphere is the solid portion of the earth, where we live.
• The hydrosphere includes all the water found on Earth, and the biosphere is the sphere that consists of organisms through which life is sustained. The biosphere is a combined term representing all the life around us.

Importance of Hydrosphere-

The hydrosphere, which borders all the water on Earth's surface, underground, and in the atmosphere, is important for the sustenance of life and the functioning of the planet's systems. Its importance can be understood through the following aspects:

1. Support for Life :

• Essential for Biological Processes: Since water dissolves everything, including biochemicals well needed for living, water is the best solvent.
• Habitat for Aquatic Life: Oceans, rivers, lakes and wetlands are important ecosystems that support a diverse array of living beings hence the very nature of the ecosystems.
• Water for Human Consumption: Surface water such as rivers, lakes and ground water is important in supporting human and domestic needs as well as supporting irrigation.

2. Regulation of Climate:

• Temperature Stabilization: The hydrosphere controls climate by hamstringing and redistributing heat through hurricane systems.
• Role in the Water Cycle: In addition to the processes of evaporation, condensation and precipitation which are directly influenced by the hydrosphere, agency of weather and climate also occurs.

3. Economic and Social Significance:

• Agriculture: Irrigation relies on water from rivers lakes and underground water sources In other words irrigation is hydro dependent.
• Energy Production: Hydropower plants harness the water resource to produce energy whose source is renewable.
• Transportation and Trade: Oceans, seas and rivers work as channels of world trade and communication.

4. Geographical and Ecological Influence:

• Landform Shaping: Water forms influence the nature of terrains and habitats by actions of eroding, sedimenting or depositing.
• Nutrient Distribution: Water is involved in transportation of nutrients to some parts of the world enabling ecosystem support.
• Coastal Protection: Forests in the hydrosphere such as the mangroves and coral reefs also work as break water in storm surges and erosion.

5. Role in Global Cycles Water Cycle:

• Water Cycle: A constant cycling of water in the atmosphere, over the surface and seas is necessary within the ecological environment.
• Nutrient Cycles: In the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles, water bodies are important in the productivity of water and other soil bearing bodies

6. Cultural and Recreational Value:

• Inspiration and Spirituality: Water bodies have cultural, spiritual, and aesthetic importance in various traditions and religions.
• Recreation: They are recreation sites for waters sports, fishing and boating activities such as lakes, rivers, and ocean.

7. Disaster Mitigation:

• Flood Control: Floods are prevented due to water storage spacious such as wetlands and other natural sources of water.
• Drought Resilience: They are essential during dry periods because they help in supplementing the stored water in water sources such as; groundwater.