Form a HYPOTHESIS: When observing the surface of planet Earth, does
water appear to be an abundant resource? Explain your answer below.
Using the chart below, estimate the amount (percentage) of water
that is available to living organisms for consumption.
Water on Earth
reservoir percentage of total
water (%)
oceans 96.5400
groundwater
saline / brackish groundwater 0.9300
fresh groundwater 0.7600
surface water
icecaps/glaciers 1.7400
freshwater lakes 0.0070
saltwater lakes 0.0060
rivers 0.0002
other
permafrost (frozen in the ground) 0.0220
atmospheric water vapor (clouds) 0.0010
marshes / wetlands 0.0010
soil moisture 0.0010
organisms (living things) 0.0001
TOTAL 100.0000
5 gallons = 1,280 tablespoons
Calculate the number of tablespoons that represent each water reservoir:
1. To convert a percent to a decimal, divide the percent number by 100
or move the decimal two spaces to the left.
2. To covert the decimal to tablespoons, multiply the decimal number by
total tablespoons.
5 gallons of water
reservoir tablespoons
oceans
groundwater
saline / brackish groundwater
fresh groundwater
surface water
icecaps/glaciers
freshwater lakes
saltwater lakes
rivers
other
permafrost (frozen in the ground)
atmospheric water vapor (clouds)
marshes / wetlands
soil moisture
organisms (living things)
TOTAL
