Key Roles of Water in Biology and Daily Life
Around 71 percent of Earth’s surface is covered by water. Out of this, only approximately 3% is freshwater. The remaining amount of water is mostly saltwater which is found in seas and oceans. This is the total water distribution on planet Earth. Water consists of innumerable vital properties that are essential for living beings to survive. It is a renewable source of energy that is freely found on Earth.
Animals and all other living creatures consume the drinkable freshwater. Water pollution is emerging as a consequence of the rapid increase in population and urbanization as well as ill-treatment of water. Due to this, the availability of freshwater is decreasing with every passing day. About 0.3% of the total freshwater available on the planet is there in rivers, lakes, swamps, etc. The other portion is found in glaciers and ice caps in the frozen state. The hydrological cycle of ocean water makes it undergo distinct processes so that it becomes consumable for fulfilling all the requirements.
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Water- a wonder liquid, is tasteless, colorless, and odorless. It does not comprise any nutrients or calories. After oxygen, it is water that is crucial for maintaining life. We can go without food for a few days, but certainly not without water. Since water distribution is not even, we should take care to minimize the effects of water pollution. In other words, we should get rid of all the sources of water pollution as well as the causes of water pollution.
Why Does Water Need to Be Available on Earth?
Water is not only absolutely necessary but also a primary requirement for all organisms. Therefore, it should always be available for the existence of living creatures. We should be aware of not doing any such activity which proves to be one of the causes of water pollution. The importance of proper water distribution in order to avoid the sources of water pollution and minimize the effects of water pollution follows below:
It is inside an aquatic medium that every biological process occurs.
For most of the important chemical reactions, water gets dissolved in the cells.
It is crucial to maintain the level of water in the body.
Water has a great contribution to the reduction of the effects of droughts and water scarcity.
Water is also important for the survival of plants.
Water distribution on the right scale is essential for marine plants to survive.
The Water Cycle and the Balance of Life:
The water cycle is like a never-ending adventure for water. Thanks to the sun's energy, water evaporates from oceans, turns into clouds, and then falls back to Earth as rain or snow. This cycle is vital for keeping our water sources fresh, supporting ecosystems, and shaping the land.
But here's the thing: we humans can mess with this balance. Our actions, like cutting down trees, polluting, and using too much groundwater, can throw off the water cycle. This can lead to less freshwater, harming ecosystems, and causing problems for us humans too. So, let's be mindful of our impact on this incredible water world!
Water Pollution
There are several causes of water pollution and different types of water pollution. Human beings contaminate water every day, and it is an utmost need to stop water pollution. Human activities are the primary causes of water pollution.
Water is a universal solvent, absorbs all of the substances, most of which prove to be harmful to living beings. Pesticides and insecticides are dangerous sources of water pollution which the farmers use in the fields are also a part of water pollution.
Water pollution also occurs due to the lack of a proper system that can dispose of sewage. This results in the water getting redirected from industries to the aquatic bodies leading to industrial water pollution. Human beings, plants, animals, and even marine creatures consume this harmful water on a daily basis. Therefore, we should undertake the prevention of water pollution focussing on the causes of water pollution so that we can reduce the adverse effects of water pollution on human health.
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Effects of Water Pollution: Sources of Pollution
The water pollution causes and effects are mentioned below:
It is because of the innumerable activities that man undertake that the water constituency is disturbed chemically. This has an adverse impact on the organisms which live in that particular ecosystem. This is one of the severe effects of water pollution.
One of the sources of water pollution is a large amount of mercury present in marine habitats which are responsible for inducing imbalances in the hormones after its consumption. This is one of the several causes of river pollution.
Oil spills which are one of the hazardous sources of water pollution, often lead to the sudden death of aquatic creatures. This leads to a great change in the ecosystem and is one of the drastic examples of water pollution.
The polluted water due to water pollution causes the level of fertility to deplete, which is indeed one of the harmful effects of water pollution.
Acid rain is hazardous and can cause a lot of destruction to infrastructure.
High phosphorus levels and nitrogen in plants are some causes of water pollution which can cause invasive plants to grow. We can categorize it as water pollution plants.
The only water pollution solutions are that we have to keep a check on our activities and reduce the emission of waste materials as much as possible.
Amazing Facts of Water
You will be amazed to see several interesting facts about water.
Firstly, it's like a super-solvent. It can dissolve lots of different things, which is super helpful in carrying nutrients, minerals, and waste through living things. This is crucial for keeping our bodies working well and helping them get rid of toxins.
Secondly, water molecules really like each other. This creates a kind of stickiness, known as surface tension. Bugs can even walk on water because of this, and it helps sap move in plants. It's also why water droplets form and coastlines look the way they do.
Water also has a special talent for holding onto heat. It absorbs and releases heat slowly, acting like a natural thermostat for our planet. This helps keep our climate stable and prevents extreme temperature changes, making Earth a nice place to live.
A little weird thing about water is that it expands when it freezes, unlike most things. This might seem strange, but it's pretty cool. This expansion prevents bodies of water from freezing solid, which is great for aquatic life during chilly winters.
The average quantity of water required for cooking food in a family of four adults is about 6,800 gallons.
Approximately 70% of the human brain has water as its constituent.
About 69% of the water on this planet is submerged in glaciers.
A person is capable of living just for a week without drinking water.
Water is responsible for regulating the temperature on earth.
Water is not infinite. Every drop counts. Let's value, protect, and cherish this irreplaceable gift of nature.
Conclusion
Water is not just a resource; it is the very essence of life. Understanding its significance and the threats it faces empowers us to become responsible stewards of this precious resource. Through sustainable practices, conservation efforts, and responsible water management, we can ensure that this wonder liquid continues to sustain life on Earth for generations to come.
FAQs on Water: The Wonder Liquid Explained
1. Why is water often called the 'wonder liquid'?
Water is called the 'wonder liquid' because of its unique combination of properties that are essential for life on Earth. These include:
- Universal Solvent: It can dissolve more substances than any other liquid, which helps transport vital nutrients in living organisms.
- Three States of Matter: It naturally exists as a solid (ice), liquid (water), and gas (vapour) within Earth's temperature range.
- High Specific Heat: It absorbs a lot of heat before its temperature rises, which helps regulate temperatures in ecosystems and living bodies.
- Density Anomaly: Unlike most substances, its solid form (ice) is less dense than its liquid form, allowing ice to float and insulate aquatic life below.
2. What are the three physical states of water found on Earth?
The three physical states of water are solid, liquid, and gas. On Earth, we find these as ice (solid), water (liquid), and water vapour (gas). The continuous movement of water between these states is known as the water cycle.
3. How does water's property as a 'universal solvent' support life?
Water's ability to act as a 'universal solvent' is fundamental to all life. In plants, it dissolves minerals from the soil and transports them up to the leaves. In animals and humans, it is the primary component of blood, carrying oxygen and nutrients to cells and removing waste products like carbon dioxide and urea.
4. How is the Earth's water distributed between freshwater and saltwater?
Although about 71% of the Earth's surface is covered in water, its distribution is highly uneven. Approximately 97.5% of all water is saltwater found in oceans and seas. Only about 2.5% is freshwater. Of this small amount, most is locked away in glaciers and ice caps, with the rest found in groundwater, lakes, and rivers.
5. What would happen to aquatic life if ice were denser than liquid water?
If ice were denser than liquid water, it would sink instead of float. In winter, this would cause lakes, rivers, and even oceans to freeze from the bottom up. Over time, this would trap and kill almost all aquatic plants and animals, making aquatic ecosystems uninhabitable. The floating layer of ice we see today acts as a crucial insulator, protecting the liquid water and life below from freezing.
6. What is the water cycle and why is it important?
The water cycle, or hydrologic cycle, is the continuous process by which water circulates on Earth. It involves three main stages: evaporation (water turns into vapour), condensation (vapour forms clouds), and precipitation (water falls back to Earth as rain or snow). This cycle is vital because it purifies and distributes freshwater across the planet, replenishes groundwater, and sustains all terrestrial ecosystems.
7. What are the main causes of water pollution?
Water pollution stems from various human activities. The main causes include:
- Industrial Waste: Discharge of harmful chemicals and heavy metals from factories directly into water bodies.
- Agricultural Runoff: Fertilizers and pesticides from farms wash into rivers and lakes, causing nutrient imbalances.
- Sewage and Wastewater: Untreated or poorly treated sewage from households and cities contaminates water with harmful bacteria and pathogens.
- Oil Spills: Accidental release of oil from ships and drilling rigs causes severe damage to marine ecosystems.
8. Why is conserving water crucial even though most of the Earth is covered by it?
This is a common misconception. While the Earth is covered in water, the vast majority (97.5%) is saline ocean water, which is unfit for drinking, farming, or most industrial uses without expensive desalination. The usable, accessible freshwater in rivers, lakes, and shallow groundwater makes up less than 1% of the world's total water. Conservation is crucial to manage this limited and precious resource sustainably for a growing global population.
9. What are some simple ways students can help conserve water at home?
Students can make a significant impact on water conservation through simple daily habits. Some effective ways include turning off the tap while brushing teeth, taking shorter showers, reporting any leaking faucets or pipes to an adult immediately, and using a bucket instead of a hose to wash cars or water plants.
