Describe the various pathways of water to cycle between reservoirs on our planet.
... and other plants or can remain frozen and becomes part of a glacier or polar caps. The groundwater may be stored for many years or it may be pumped from a well for a household, agriculture or for industrial uses. The groundwater that reaches streams provides much of the water which is found in the streams when it is not raining or snow when it is not melting. Groundwater contains 0.612% of the earth’s surface. Water contained in lakes, reams and oceans may evaporate and become rain or snow. This water is also used by people and animals. Rivers contain about 0.oo1% of the earth’s water, fresh water lakes contain 0.009% of the earth’s water and oceans contain 97.137% of the earth’s water. The atmosphere contains 0.001%, polar ice caps and snow account for 78% of the world’s fresh water supply and so these ice caps and snow contain 2.240% of the earth’s water. Water is evaporated from bodies of water, the soil and from vegetation. Plants take up water through their roots and release water vapour through their leaves. This water vapour forms clouds which can in turn produce precipitation. Reservoirs such as lakes are large bodies of inland water. Most of our drinking water, as well it is used for irrigation, industry and hydropower, comes from freshwater and reservoirs. Freshwater lakes also provide a resource for recreational activities (boating, swimming and fishing) and h...