Consider the following statements regarding the Earth's water: 1. The water cycle ensures that the water existing today is entirely different from…

The correct option is (b).

Explanation

The Earth functions as a closed system with respect to water mass. The hydrological cycle circulates water continuously between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere, but the total volume of water on Earth remains constant.

Statement-wise Analysis:

• Statement 1 is Incorrect. The water cycle ensures the circulation of water, but it does not create new water. The water existing today is essentially the same water that existed centuries ago. It merely changes states (solid, liquid, gas) and locations.
• Statement 2 is Correct. The major sources of fresh water include glaciers, ice caps, rivers, ponds, springs, and groundwater. While oceans hold the majority of Earth's water, it is saline; fresh water is derived from these specific terrestrial and glacial sources.
• Statement 3 is Incorrect. The distribution of Earth's water indicates that freshwater lakes hold a larger volume than the atmosphere. The approximate distribution is:
  • Freshwater Lakes: ~0.009%
  • Atmosphere: ~0.0019%
  Thus, the water content in freshwater lakes is higher than that in the atmosphere.

Key Takeaway: The descending order of global water distribution is: Oceans (97.3%) > Ice Caps (2.0%) > Groundwater (0.68%) > Freshwater Lakes (0.009%) > Inland Seas/Salt Lakes (0.009%) > Atmosphere (0.0019%) > Rivers (0.0001%).