Q. On the planet earth, most of the freshwater exists as ice caps and glaciers. Out of the remaining freshwater, the largest proportion:
- Is found in atmosphere as moisture and clouds
- Is found in freshwater lakes and rivers
- Exists as groundwater
- Exists as soil moisture
Answer: (c) Exists as groundwater
Notes:
- Out of the total water present on the planet earth, the majority is in the form of seas and oceans (more than 97.5 %) and is termed as a saline water. The remaining water (2.5%) is termed as freshwater. Of the fresh water, only 0.3% is in liquid form on the surface.
- The decreasing order of proportion of freshwater in different forms is as follows:
- snow caps, icebergs, and glaciers > groundwater > freshwater lakes > atmosphere > rivers
| Continent or region | River runoff (km³/year) | Percent of world total |
|---|---|---|
| Asia (excluding Middle East) | 13,300 | 30.6 |
| South America | 12,000 | 27.6 |
| North America | 7,800 | 17.9 |
| Oceania | 6,500 | 14.9 |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 4,000 | 9.2 |
| Europe | 2,900 | 6.7 |
| Australia | 440 | 1.0 |
| Middle East and North Africa | 140 | 0.3 |