This article was originally published on March 3, 2022.
Water is necessary for all alive organisms. Whether it’s maintaining hydration, breaking down food, generating energy, regulating metabolism, or helping things grow, life as we know it could not exist without water. It is believed to be more than 4.6 billion years, water on Earth has shaped the planet and its history.
What are some fun facts about water?
Whether in liquid, solid or gaseous form, water is an amazing substance. And do you believe the average American family uses more than 300 gallons water every day? As World Water Day is celebrated on March 22, let’s dive into five interesting facts about water.
How much does it cost?
There are approx 326 million trillion gallons water on Earth. Approximately 98 percent is from the oceans—and is undrinkable because of its salt content. This means that less than 3 percent of our planet’s water is fresh, found in ice caps, glaciers, wells, aquifers, rivers and lakes. Groundwater is particularly important because it provides water for people in places where supplies are limited or insufficient, such as desert cities. To get a better feel for how much water is there on earththink of it this way: if the world’s water were to spill over the contiguous United States, it would cover it to a depth of about 107 miles.
Our bodies are more than half water
Water is involved in many functions and necessary for most body systems, including waste removal, body temperature regulation, joint lubrication/cushioning, and spinal cord protection. The percentage of water content varies among organs, with the brain and kidneys containing the highest, 80-85 percent. The heart and lungs contain 75-80 percent water, while the skin, muscles, and liver contain 70-75 percent. Even our blood, bones and teeth are partly made up of water. The amount of water in our bodies is influenced by body composition. The average adult man is 60 percent water, while adult women are slightly less at 55 percent. This is because adipose tissue holds less water than lean tissue and women have more adipose tissue. Overweight people also have less water in their bodies, regardless of gender.
The Roman aqueduct system changed history
although The Romans didn’t invent aqueducts, they developed a complex water system which allowed their civilization to flourish. Considered an engineering marvel, they built their system of aqueducts from pipes, tunnels, canals and bridges. They were able to use the natural topography to maximize the effect of gravity. This allowed the Romans to efficiently direct water to different areas for use in baths, fountains, irrigation, sewage, and drinking. There were 11 aqueducts built between 312 BC and AD 226 that carried water to Rome from almost 60 miles. At its zenith, the aqueduct system supplied water to nearly 200 cities in the Roman Empire.
The water cycle is 3.8 billion years old
Simply put, the Earth’s water cycle is a never-ending process that connects water in all its different forms. In 1580 Bernard Palissy developed a theory of Water Cycle. He believed that the amount of water on Earth remained the same, albeit in constant motion, and that the same water molecules from billions of years ago were constantly being recycled. The process of the water cycle is carried out by evaporation, condensation and precipitation and affects and changes the geography of the Earth. Water erosion and melting glaciers are an integral part of creating Earth’s features such as valleys and mountain peaks. It also creates glacial erraticswhich are rocks and stones that were moved by glaciers and deposited elsewhere after the glacier melted.
Water is a compound
It consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, water is considered a compound — and a molecule. Before chemistry was understood, water was considered an element. But elements have only one kind of atom – like nitrogen, carbon or magnesium. Although the chemical composition of water may be basic, properties are complex and unusual. Most compounds are denser in their solid state than in their liquid state. However, the solid state of water – ice – can float on water. The ice rests on top of the water, creating an insulating barrier for aquatic life. If it sinks, the water will freeze and life will not survive.