Where is the most of the liquid freshwater on earth located?
A. Lakes
B. Rivers
C. Oceans
D. Wetlands
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Lakes.
Most of the liquid freshwater on Earth is located in lakes. While rivers and wetlands do contain freshwater, the majority of it is stored in lakes and other bodies of water such as reservoirs and ponds. The volume of freshwater in lakes is significantly greater than the total amount found in rivers or wetlands.
Freshwater lakes are found all over the world, with the largest being Lake Baikal in Russia, which holds around 20% of the world’s total freshwater supply. These lakes contain vast amounts of water, which is stored in various forms depending on the region’s climate and hydrological conditions.
Rivers, on the other hand, carry freshwater but only account for a relatively small proportion of the Earth’s total freshwater supply. The water in rivers is constantly flowing, meaning that it is not stored in large amounts in one place, unlike lakes.
Oceans are the largest bodies of water on Earth but are made up of saltwater, not freshwater. About 97% of all Earth’s water is in the oceans, but only a tiny fraction of this is freshwater.
Wetlands do contain freshwater, but their volume is much smaller compared to lakes. Wetlands, such as marshes and swamps, are important for ecosystems and biodiversity, but they do not hold as much freshwater as lakes do.
In summary, while all these bodies of water contribute to Earth’s freshwater supply, lakes hold the largest proportion of liquid freshwater available on the planet.