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Multiple Choice
Where is most of Earth's freshwater located?
A
In rivers and lakes
B
In the atmosphere as water vapor
C
In underground aquifers
D
In polar ice caps and glaciers
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the distribution of Earth's freshwater. Freshwater is a limited resource, and its distribution is uneven across different reservoirs such as rivers, lakes, underground aquifers, and polar ice caps/glaciers.
Step 2: Recognize that polar ice caps and glaciers store the majority of Earth's freshwater. These frozen reservoirs account for approximately 68-70% of the planet's freshwater supply.
Step 3: Compare other freshwater sources. Rivers and lakes contain only about 0.3% of Earth's freshwater, while underground aquifers hold roughly 30%. Water vapor in the atmosphere represents an even smaller fraction.
Step 4: Consider the physical state of freshwater in polar ice caps and glaciers. It exists as solid ice, which is less accessible for immediate use compared to liquid water in rivers, lakes, and aquifers.
Step 5: Conclude that polar ice caps and glaciers are the largest reservoirs of Earth's freshwater, emphasizing their importance in the global water cycle and climate regulation.