1. Hydrosphere For more information see: http://www.geography4kids.com/files/water_intro.html

2. What • A hydrosphere is the total amount of water on a planet. • The hydrosphere includes water that is on the surface of the planet, underground, and in the air. • A planet's hydrosphere can be liquid, vapor, or ice.

3. Ice • The frozen part of Earth's hydrosphere is made of ice: glaciers, ice caps and icebergs. • The frozen part of the hydrosphere has its own name, the cryosphere.

4. Salt Water • All world oceans are joined - 70% of Earth’s surface is ocean • 96.5% of all of Earth’s water is ocean water. • Ocean water is salty due to dissolved minerals from rocks in solution • Salt water marshes are an important source of salt water. They provide habitat, absorb pollution and aid in flood control.

5. Fresh Water • Fresh water is about 3.5% of Earth’s water supply • Ice is about 1.76% of water supply – contained in glaciers, ice caps and ice bergs • Groundwater is about 1.7% - formed when runoff water percolates through soil and aquifers into rocks • Surface water is about 0.014% - contained in lakes, rivers and wetlands • Atmosphere is about 0.002% - contained in clouds as water droplets and in air as water vapor

6. Water Moves in the Hydrosphere • Water moves through the hydrosphere in a cycle. • Water collects in clouds (condensation), then falls to Earth in the form of rain or snow (precipitation). • This water collects in rivers, lakes and oceans. • Then it evaporates into the atmosphere to start the cycle all over again. • This is called the water cycle.