Approximately what fraction of the world's water is stored in biologically inaccessible forms such as glaciers and ice-caps?
A)

Question

Approximately what fraction of the world's water is stored in biologically inaccessible forms such as glaciers and ice-caps?
A) <1%
B) 2%
C) 5%
D) 3%
E) 8%

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Approximately 68.7% of the fresh water on Earth is trapped in glaciers and ice caps, which makes it biologically inaccessible. However, when considering the total amount of water on Earth (including saline water), this fraction becomes approximately 1.7%, which rounds to about 2% for the purpose of general understanding. The correct choice in the context of the provided options, which likely refers to the fraction of the world's total water (including both fresh and saline), is closest to 2%. However, none of the options precisely match this percentage, and the question's phrasing might be misleading. Given the options, 3% (D) is the closest correct choice, acknowledging a potential discrepancy in the interpretation of the question.

Approximately What Fraction of the World's Water Is Stored in Biologically