The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
The distribution of water on Earth is divided into saline water (oceans and seas) and fresh water. Salinity is defined as the amount of salt in grams present in 1,000 grams of water. While oceans hold the bulk of the Earth's water, fresh water reserves are distributed unevenly across ice caps, groundwater, and surface bodies.- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Rivers and ponds do not constitute the majority of Earth's fresh water. The largest portion of fresh water occurs as ice caps and glaciers (approximately 68.7%), followed by groundwater (approximately 30.1%). Surface water sources, such as rivers and lakes, account for a very small fraction (approximately 0.3%) of the total fresh water.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Ocean bodies contain saline water due to the presence of large amounts of dissolved salts. The most abundant salt dissolved in ocean water is sodium chloride (common table salt). The average salinity of the oceans is generally 35 parts per thousand.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The Dead Sea in Israel is a hypersaline lake. It has a recorded salinity of approximately 340 grams per litre of water. This high density creates a buoyant force that allows swimmers to float easily on the surface.
Key Takeaway: The vast majority of Earth's fresh water is locked in ice sheets and glaciers, not in liquid surface bodies like rivers. The Dead Sea is an example of a hypersaline water body with a salinity of 340 grams per litre.