What percentage of the water vapor in the air comes from the oceans?

The oceans contain about 97 percent of the water on Earth. About 1.7 percent of Earth's water is stored in polar ice caps and glaciers. Rivers, lakes and soil contain approximately 1.7 percent. A small part – only 0.001 percent – is found in the Earth's atmosphere as water vapor.

What is the highest percentage of water vapor that can be in the air?

By e.g. At 30 °C (86 °F), an air volume can contain up to 4 percent water vapor. At -40 °C (-40 °F), however, it cannot hold more than 0.2 percent. When a volume of air at a given temperature holds the maximum amount of water vapor, the air is said to be saturated.

Does water vapor become air?

Water molecules in vapor form are arranged more randomly than in liquid water. As condensation occurs and liquid water forms from the vapor, the water molecules become more organized, releasing heat into the atmosphere.

How much of Earth's water is drinkable?

Only about three percent of Earth's water is fresh water. Of this, only about 1.2 percent can be used as drinking water; the rest is locked up in glaciers, ice caps and permafrost or buried deep in the ground.

What is most of Earth's dry air made of?

Nitrogen and oxygen are by far the most common; dry air consists of approx. 78% nitrogen (N2) and approx. 21% oxygen (O2). Argon, carbon dioxide (CO2) and many other gases are also present in much lower amounts; each makes up less than 1% of the atmosphere's mixture of gases. The atmosphere also includes water vapor.

Where does water vapor make up most of the air?

Over the ocean, water vapor is much more abundant, making up as much as 4 percent of the air. Over isolated deserts, it can be less than 1 percent. The water cycle has a dramatic impact on the Earth's climate and ecosystems.

Why is water vapor fresh water when it rises from the ocean?

Similarly, why is the water vapor fresh water, it rises from the sea? The oceans contain about 97 percent of the water on Earth. About 1.7 percent of Earth's water is stored in polar ice caps and glaciers. When heated by the sun, water on the surface of oceans and freshwater evaporates and forms a vapor.

What causes water vapor to fall out of the atmosphere?

The rest is caused by small particles (aerosols) and minor greenhouse gases such as methane. Water vapor concentrations in the air are controlled by the earth's temperature. Warmer temperatures evaporate more water from the oceans, expanding air masses and leading to higher humidity. Cooling causes water vapor to condense and fall out as rain, sleet or snow.

What makes up 0.04% of the atmosphere?

CO2 makes up only about 0.04% of the atmosphere, and water vapor can vary from 0 to 4%. But while water vapor is the dominant greenhouse gas in our atmosphere, it has "windows" that allow some of the infrared energy to escape without being absorbed.