Final answer:
About 97% of Earth's water is salt water found in the oceans, and only 3% is freshwater, with the majority locked in glaciers and ice caps. Groundwater represents a significant source of accessible fresh water.
Step-by-step explanation:
Distribution of Earth's Water
The vast majority of water on Earth is in the form of salt water, which makes up about 97% of the planet's total water. Specifically, this salt water is contained in the Earth's oceans. When considering freshwater, it constitutes only about 3% of the Earth's water, and most of it is not in a liquid form that is easily accessible for human use. Instead, this freshwater is primarily trapped in glaciers and ice sheets, particularly in places like Greenland.
Freshwater Resources
A closer look reveals that of the freshwater that does exist, a large portion is stored in the form of ice, namely in glaciers and ice caps. Groundwater is another significant source of fresh water that is more accessible for human use, and it is found in the pore space between mineral grains and fractures below the Earth's surface. This water originates from precipitation like rain or snowmelt that soaks into the ground.
Because of the limited availability of liquid freshwater for activities such as drinking, agriculture, and sanitation, access to this resource is a critical issue for communities around the world.