With reference to the water on the planet Earth, consider the following statements:

1. The amount of water in the rivers and lakes is more than the amount of groundwater.
2. The amount of water in polar ice caps and glaciers is more than the amount of groundwater.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

• The distribution of water on the Earth’s surface is primarily in oceans, which make up 97.25% of the total water.
• The remaining water is distributed among ice caps and glaciers (2.05%), groundwater (0.68%), lakes (0.01%), soil moisture (0.005%), atmosphere (0.001%), streams and rivers (0.0001%), and biosphere (0.00004%).
• It’s worth noting that the statement claiming water in lakes and rivers is 0.0171% is incorrect, as the correct value is 0.008% for salt lakes, 0.009% for freshwater lakes, and 0.0001% for rivers.
• In comparison, the water content in groundwater is 0.62%, which is significantly higher than that in lakes and rivers. Water in polar ice caps and glaciers is 2% while in groundwater it is 0.62%.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.