Water. H₂O. Aqua. It’s important for all life – to not point out scuba diving, snorkeling, and freediving! There’s a lot to study past primary water details, and the deeper we dive into aquatic mysteries, the extra fascinating it will get. As an illustration, have you learnt:
- How water got here into existence?
- Enjoyable details about water in area?
- Why we’d like water?
- Information about water in your physique?
- Would water sink or float?
- Find out how to save water?
On this weblog, we’ll share some attention-grabbing water details from around the globe, necessary water details and figures, and some bizarre issues about water that may shock you.
What Is Water?
In easy phrases, every water molecule is fabricated from two hydrogen atoms related to 1 oxygen atom – giving us the well-known method, H₂O.
Water is evident, odorless, and tasteless. Any odor or taste comes from different issues dissolved in it, like salt within the sea, chlorine in swimming pools, or minerals in consuming water. Throughout our dives, the readability of water (visibility) could be affected by depth, gentle, and plankton.
Water Is a Shapeshifter
Water is the one substance that exists naturally in all three states of matter: liquid, strong (ice), and fuel (vapor). Temperature or stress modifications trigger water to shift between these kinds, and that is essential to Earth’s water cycle (extra on that later).
As divers, we normally join with water in its liquid type, whether or not we’re exploring oceans or hydrating between dives. Nevertheless, strong water additionally creates thrilling cold-water backdrops, from snow-capped mountain vistas to ice-diving adventures.
Water Covers 71% of Earth’s Floor
The quantity of water on Earth hasn’t actually modified since its creation; about 326 million trillion gallons. So, the place is water discovered on the planet? Round 97% is within the ocean (that’s quite a lot of dive web site potential), whereas the remainder is in glaciers, lakes, rivers, springs, within the soil and sky, and inside each dwelling organism.
Listed here are extra enjoyable details about water on Earth:
Some Water Comes From House
Whereas most water fashioned with the planet, some could have come from icy asteroids crashing to Earth. Water has additionally been detected on the Moon and different planets equivalent to Mercury, Mars, and Saturn.
Don’t get enthusiastic about diving the Sea of Tranquility but; area water sometimes exists as ice or vapor!
Our Brains Are 75% Water
Water is significant for all dwelling issues. Grownup people are roughly 60% water, bushes are a minimum of 50%, and jellyfish generally is a hefty 95%!
Water helps our our bodies to control temperature, carry vitamins and oxygen, defend joints and organs, and take away waste. That’s why hydration is so necessary; we will final a month with out meals however solely every week with no water.
Alternatively, tardigrades can survive a long time of whole dehydration!
Water Isn’t Simply For Ingesting
There are various makes use of of water in addition to consuming, cooking, and washing:
- Rising meals: Agriculture accounts for 70% of world freshwater use
- Manufacturing: Factories use water to dilute, warmth, cool, clear, and transport supplies
- Making power: Hydropower generates about 15% of the world’s electrical energy
- Looking for journey: Scuba diving, swimming, browsing, ice skating, snowboarding, and lots of different sports activities could be not possible with out water!
Enjoyable Information About Earth’s Water Cycle
Within the water cycle, water evaporates from Earth’s floor into vapor, kinds clouds, then falls down as rain, snow, or hail. Within the ocean, cooler water sinks and creates currents. Water additionally has a excessive warmth capability, which is why sea temperatures don’t change a lot. These processes regulate the planet’s temperature, climate, and ecosystems.
In 100 years, a water molecule spends only one week within the environment. Even so, there’s extra water within the sky than in all our rivers – sufficient to cowl the globe with an inch of water!
Water Floats on Water
Take into consideration ice cubes in your drink or icebergs within the Arctic. Like most issues, water will get denser because it cools. However, beneath 4℃ (39℉), water molecules type a crystalline construction that’s much less dense than liquid water – so ice floats!
Equally, freshwater floats on saltwater, as a result of salt makes water denser. It’s the explanation we’d like further weight when diving within the sea in comparison with freshwater websites.
Extra cool water details:
- When water freezes, it expands almost 10%
- If ice sank, then whole oceans would freeze strong
- The saltiest water on Earth has 12 occasions extra salt than the ocean
Water Comprises Tens of millions of Tiny Creatures
Underneath a microscope, water from oceans, lakes, or rivers reveals a thriving ecosystem. Certainly, a single drop comprises 1000’s of microscopic organisms – equivalent to micro organism, plankton, fish eggs, and child crustaceans.
This is the reason water wants treating earlier than it’s protected to drink (and one other incentive to rinse your gear after each dive!)
Boiling Level Isn’t At all times 100℃ (212℉)
On the high of Mount Everest, the place air stress is decrease, the boiling level of water is simply 68℃ (154℉). In the meantime, in deep seas, the place the stress could be 500 occasions better than on land, the water subsequent to hydrothermal vents by no means boils – regardless of being over 400℃ (750℉).
One of many little recognized water details is that sizzling water generally freezes sooner than chilly water. The Mpemba Impact is an unsolved thriller that continues to baffle scientists!
Water Defies Gravity
Water’s unusually excessive floor pressure, cohesion, and adhesion means it may possibly journey in opposition to gravity utilizing capillary motion. This course of is life-giving for vegetation, and you may observe it by dipping a paper towel in water.
These properties of water clarify how small bugs can “stroll on water” and why water droplets are completely rounded.
Not So Enjoyable Information About Water
Do you know nearly two-thirds of the world’s inhabitants has extreme water shortages for a minimum of one month annually? Or that there could possibly be extra plastic than fish within the ocean by 2050?
Water is undeniably necessary, and although local weather change and air pollution are large threats, we will make a distinction by:
Search Journey. Save the Ocean.
As scuba divers, we’re in a singular place to take native motion for world affect. Be part of the Ocean Torchbearer™ group and be a part of a strong motion to revive ourselves, our communities, and the blue planet we name house.
