Our March blog post traditionally focuses on World Water Day, which is March 22 every year. Since we’ve talked about World Water Day in previous years’ posts, we will dive into water facts this year!
Water is one of the most vital substances on Earth, supporting life in countless ways. But have you ever stopped to think about what makes water so unique? Let’s break it down:
- Water is known as H2O and is made up of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms
- Because it has multiple atoms, water is considered a compound
- Water can exist as a solid (found in ice), liquid, and gas (found in water vapor)
- According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “water expands by 9% when it freezes. Frozen water (ice) is lighter than water, which is why ice floats in water”
- Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit and boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit
- A single drop can contain billions of molecules
With over 70% of our planet being covered by it, it’s official, water is everywhere!
Water is an essential resource that shapes landscapes, drives weather patterns, and supports ecosystems. Here are some eye-opening facts about how water interacts with our world:
- Our planet is covered in water, with 71% of the surface being water, but only 3% of the water on Earth is freshwater
- Much of our fresh water is in glaciers and ice caps
- Through desalination, a process to remove the salt from sea water, salt water can become drinkable
- According to the United States Geological Survey, “If all of Earth’s water (oceans, icecaps and glaciers, lakes, rivers, groundwater, and water in the atmosphere was put into a sphere, then the diameter of that water ball would be about 860 miles (about 1,385 kilometers), a bit more than the distance between Salt Lake City, Utah to Topeka, Kansas. The volume of all water would be about 332.5 million cubic miles (mi3), or 1,386 million cubic kilometers (km3). A cubic mile of water equals more than 1.1 trillion gallons. A cubic kilometer of water equals about 264 billion gallons (1 trillion liters).”
Water and your body: it’s a perfect match!
Water and YOU:
- The Mayo Clinic reports that water makes up anywhere from 50% to 70% of your body weight
- Evaluating urine color can help determine if the body is hydrated: A chart from the U.S. Army Public Health Command shows that urine that is light in color or clear usually means the body is getting enough water.
- The brain is around 80% water, according to the National Library of Medicine
- The Cleveland Clinic says the body needs water for saliva production, temperature regulation and joint lubrication
- Water is absorbed by the small and large intestine system to aid in nutrient processing according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Happy World Water Day! At Le Bleu East Tennessee, every day is a water day, but we love taking this opportunity to highlight the importance of water in our lives. So, raise a glass of fresh, clean water and celebrate this essential resource!
Reference links:
https://www3.epa.gov/safewater/kids/waterfactsoflife.html
https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/how-much-water-there-earth
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33846637/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9013-dehydration
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/digestive-system-how-it-works
https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/content/pdfs/safety/DOD_Urine%20Color%20Test_Poster.pdf