UPSC Prelims 2013 question on Freshwater Distribution

Analysis

According to the official UPSC Answer Key for Prelims 2013 General Studies Paper, the correct option is “Exists as groundwater”.

Most of Earth’s water is saline ocean water. Of the small amount that is freshwater, the largest share is locked in glaciers and ice caps; the next largest share exists as groundwater.

1. Exists as groundwater — Correct

After glaciers and ice caps, groundwater forms the largest proportion of Earth’s freshwater.

It is the largest major store of liquid freshwater.

Hence, among the remaining freshwater sources, groundwater is the correct answer.

2. Exists in lakes — Incorrect

Freshwater lakes contain only a very small share of total freshwater.

They are important for human use, but their total volume is much less than groundwater.

This is not the largest remaining proportion.

3. Exists in rivers — Incorrect

Rivers contain a very tiny fraction of Earth’s freshwater.

They are highly visible and useful, but their total storage is extremely small.

This is not the correct answer.

4. Exists as soil moisture or atmospheric water — Incorrect

Soil moisture and atmospheric water together form only a very small part of freshwater.

Clouds and atmospheric moisture may appear large, but their actual share is very limited.

They are much smaller than groundwater.