Water

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Detailed Summary

  • Water is one of the most essential resources for life on Earth. All living organisms — humans, animals, and plants — depend on water for survival. It is not only required for drinking but also for agriculture, industries, energy production, and maintaining ecosystems.

Distribution of Water on Earth

  • Around 71% of Earth’s surface is covered with water.
  • 97% is saltwater found in oceans and seas.
  • Only about 2.7% is freshwater. Out of this:
    • Most is locked in ice caps and glaciers.
    • Only about 1% is available for human use (in rivers, lakes, groundwater).

Importance of Water

  • For survival: Drinking, cooking, sanitation.
  • For agriculture: Irrigation of crops, livestock rearing.
  • For industries: Cooling, cleaning, processing, hydropower generation.
  • For ecosystems: Aquatic life, maintaining wetlands, regulating climate.

Water Cycle

  • Water circulates naturally through the hydrological cycle.
  • Processes: Evaporation → Condensation → Precipitation → Infiltration/Runoff → Collection.
  • This cycle ensures continuous renewal of water resources.

Ecosystem

  • An ecosystem is a system formed by the interaction of all living organisms with each other and with their physical surroundings.
  • Examples: Pond ecosystem, forest ecosystem, desert ecosystem.

Problems of Water Resources

  • Scarcity: Overuse of groundwater, increasing population, and urbanization.
  • Pollution: Mixing of industrial waste, sewage, pesticides in rivers and lakes.
  • Uneven distribution: Some regions face floods, others face droughts.
  • Over-irrigation: Leads to waterlogging and salinity in soil.

Conservation of Water

  • Rainwater harvesting: Collecting and storing rainwater.
  • Efficient irrigation methods: Drip irrigation, sprinklers.
  • Reuse and recycling: Treating wastewater for reuse.
  • Afforestation: Planting trees improves groundwater recharge.
  • Preventing pollution: Proper sewage treatment, reducing chemical use.

Sustainable Use of Water

  • Balance between demand and supply.
  • Use water judiciously so future generations can also meet their needs.
  • Protect rivers, lakes, and groundwater from over-exploitation.