Where does the water come from?
Theories reveal that the origin of water is linked to the formation of the solar system
Image: Jong Marshes on Unsplash
In science, there are several theories that try to explain certain phenomena. For a certain scientific branch (which defends the Big Bang theory), the origin of water on our planet is related to the formation of the solar system. The Big Bang explosion gave rise to the first hydrogen atoms. After millions of years, clouds of hydrogen and helium dispersed in the cosmos became denser and gave rise to stars.
Due to the high temperature, these primary clouds remained in the form of vapor in peripheral regions of these celestial bodies that, in their interior, had nuclear reactions that gave rise to various chemical elements, such as oxygen itself. The origin of water occurred at the junction of hydrogen with oxygen, initially in the form of water vapor. With the solidification of the planets' surfaces, this gas was trapped in their atmospheres.
On our planet, during the degassing process, the Earth's core was still hot and expelled a large amount of water in the form of vapor into the crust. Volcanoes spewed hydrogen gas and water vapor. This process created our atmosphere. As the temperature decreased, there was gas condensation, which gave rise to clouds and the consequent occurrence of precipitation, which returned to Earth due to the force of gravity. Liquid water was suspended on the surface of the atmosphere, giving rise to primitive oceans.
As part of this selective process, fresh water started its formation due to rains that washed the atmosphere and eliminated the sulfur gases. Because of its ideal position and conditions, it was and is possible to find water in three states: solid, liquid and gas. The portion that infiltrated the surface and accumulated among the rocks of the subsoil formed the underground waters and, as the continents emerged, the first rivers, lakes, swamps and the first living beings appeared.
Distribution of water on Earth
About 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by water. Of this total, approximately 97.5% is present in the oceans and seas, in the form of salt water, that is, unfit for human consumption. Of the remaining 2.5%, which make up the total existing fresh water, 2/3 is stored in glaciers and ice caps. Only 0.77% of all water is available for our consumption, being found in rivers, lakes, groundwater, including water present in the soil, atmosphere (moisture) and in biota.
Now that you know how water came about over thousands of years, take a look at how to avoid wasting this precious commodity for everyone.
