Freshwater is characterized by its low salt content, typically containing less than 0.5 parts per thousand (ppt) of dissolved salts. This low salinity allows freshwater to support diverse ecosystems and is essential for drinking, agriculture, and industrial use.
Approximately 2.5% of the water on Earth is freshwater, with the majority of it being stored in glaciers and ice caps. Other sources of freshwater include surface water in lakes, rivers, and streams, as well as groundwater in aquifers.
Freshwater is vital for the survival of all living organisms. It is used for drinking, irrigation of crops, industrial processes, and sustaining aquatic ecosystems. The availability and quality of freshwater are crucial factors in determining the habitability of different regions on Earth.
Human activities, such as pollution, deforestation, and over-extraction of groundwater, have significantly impacted the quality and availability of freshwater. Understanding these impacts is crucial for implementing sustainable management practices and ensuring the continued availability of freshwater resources for future generations.