How much water is in the atmosphere?

In summary, scientists are able to estimate the amount of water in the atmosphere thanks to weather satellites and various sensitive wavelengths. At any given moment, there is approximately 3,100 mi3 of water in the form of water vapor in the atmosphere, which is only a small percentage of the total fresh water and total water on Earth. The amount of water vapor the atmosphere can hold also increases with temperature.
  • #1
Anna-Banana
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At any given moment do scientists have an idea of how much water is in the atmosphere? Can we compare it to how much fresh water is stored on Earth as a liquid?
 
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  • #2
According to this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_vapor
the mean moisture content of the atmosphere is equivalent to approx. 25 mm of liquid water covering the entire surface of the globe. (See the section 'Water Vapor in Earth's Atmosphere')
 
  • #3
Anna-Banana said:
At any given moment do scientists have an idea of how much water is in the atmosphere?
Thanks to weather satellites, yes, they do. You've seen weather satellite images that show the Earth as ocean and land, partly covered by clouds. Those are visible images of the Earth as seen from space. Looking at the Earth in infrared gives a very different picture. Several wavelengths are particularly sensitive to water vapor. For example, here's a 6.7 micron channel image:

Goes8wv.gif
 
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  • #4
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/earthhowmuch.html details all the forms of water on Earth

"About 3,100 mi3 (12,900 km3) of water, mostly in the form of water vapor, is in the atmosphere at anyone time. If it all fell as precipitation at once, the Earth would be covered with only about 1 inch of water."

Edit: Dang --- did it again ---- old post
 
  • #5
According to the USGS Water Science School the amount of water in the atmosphere is .04 of a percent of the total of Earth's fresh water and .001 percent of the amount of Earth's total water. The increase in the amount of water vapor the atmosphere can hold doubles with an increase of 10 degrees (centigrade i believe).
 
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1. How much water is typically found in the Earth's atmosphere?

The amount of water in the Earth's atmosphere varies, but on average, it is estimated to be around 0.001% of the total mass of the atmosphere. This may seem like a small amount, but it still equates to around 12,900 cubic kilometers of water.

2. How does water get into the atmosphere?

Water enters the atmosphere through a process called evaporation, where liquid water on the Earth's surface is heated by the sun and turns into water vapor, which rises into the atmosphere. It can also enter through transpiration, where plants release water vapor through their leaves.

3. What is the role of water in the atmosphere?

Water plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate. It helps to distribute heat from the equator to the poles through the water cycle, and it also absorbs and releases heat, which helps to moderate temperature changes in the atmosphere.

4. How does water exist in the atmosphere?

Water can exist in the atmosphere in three different forms: water vapor, liquid water droplets, and ice crystals. The amount of water in each form depends on factors such as temperature, pressure, and humidity.

5. Can the amount of water in the atmosphere change?

Yes, the amount of water in the atmosphere is constantly changing due to various factors such as evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, can also affect the amount of water in the atmosphere by altering the Earth's climate and water cycle.

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