Describe the amounts of water on Earth - 5th Grade Science

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According to the United States Geological Survey, “About 71 percent of the Earth’s surface is water-covered, and the oceans hold about 96.5 percent of all Earth’s water. Water also exists in the air as water vapor, in rivers and lakes, in icecaps and glaciers, in the ground as soil moisture and in aquifers, and even in you and your dog. The vast majority of water on the Earth’s surface, over 96 percent, is saline water in the oceans. The freshwater resources, such as water falling from the skies and moving into streams, rivers, lakes, and groundwater, provide people with the water they need every day to live. Even though you may only notice water on the Earth’s surface, there is much more freshwater stored in the ground than there is in liquid form on the surface. Some of the water you see flowing in rivers comes from the seepage of groundwater into river beds. Water from precipitation continually seeps into the ground to recharge aquifers, while at the same time, water in the ground continually recharges rivers through seepage. Water is never sitting still. Thanks to the water cycle, our planet’s water supply is constantly moving from one place to another and from one form to another.” Overall there are said to be 326 million trillion gallons of water on Earth, and only 3% is fresh water.

Which answer choice best describes the amounts of water on Earth?

Source: https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/how-much-water-there-earth?qt-science%5Fcenter%5Fobjects=0#qt-science%5Fcenter%5Fobjects

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Answer

There are said to be 326 million trillion gallons of water on Earth, and a majority of that water (about 97%) is saltwater. This water can be found in seas and oceans. Freshwater only makes up about 3% of the water on Earth and can be found in the air as water vapor, in rivers and lakes, in icecaps and glaciers, in the ground as soil moisture and in aquifers.

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