Fresh water
Fresh water is naturally occurring water on the Earth's surface in ice sheets, ice caps, glaciers, icebergs, bogs, ponds, lakes, rivers and streams, and underground as groundwater in aquifers and underground streams. Fresh water is generally characterized by having low concentrations of dissolved salts and other total dissolved solids. The term specifically excludes seawater and brackish water although it does include mineral-rich waters such as chalybeate springs.
Sources of Fresh Water[edit | edit source]
Fresh water can be defined as water with less than 500 parts per million (ppm) of dissolved salts. There are different sources of fresh water:
- Rainwater and Snowmelt: Rain and snow are the major sources of fresh water. When it rains, the water evaporates from the surface of the earth and forms clouds. When the clouds become heavy, they release the water in the form of rain or snow.
- Rivers and Streams: Rivers and streams are flowing bodies of water. They are the main source of fresh water for many communities. Rivers and streams are replenished by rain and snowmelt.
- Lakes and Ponds: Lakes and ponds are bodies of water that are surrounded by land. They are another source of fresh water. Lakes and ponds are replenished by rain, snowmelt, and rivers.
- Groundwater: Groundwater is water that is found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand, and rock. It is stored in and moves slowly through geologic formations of soil, sand, and rocks called aquifers.
Uses of Fresh Water[edit | edit source]
Fresh water is essential for life. It is used for various purposes:
- Drinking water: Fresh water is used for drinking. It is essential for human survival.
- Agriculture: Fresh water is used for irrigation in agriculture. It is used to grow crops.
- Industry: Fresh water is used in various industries for cooling, processing, cleaning, and for generating power.
- Recreation: Fresh water is used for recreational activities like swimming, boating, and fishing.
Challenges[edit | edit source]
Despite its importance, fresh water is a finite resource and its availability is under threat from pollution, overuse, and climate change. It is estimated that by 2025, two-thirds of the world's population could be under water stress, with demand outstripping supply during certain periods.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Fresh water Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
