On the planet earth, most of the freshwater exists as ice caps and gla

On the planet earth, most of the freshwater exists as ice caps and glaciers. Out of the remaining freshwater, the largest proportion

is found in atmosphere as moisture and clouds
is found in freshwater lakes and rivers
exists as groundwater
exists as soil moisture
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2013
The correct option is C, stating that out of the remaining freshwater (after ice caps and glaciers), the largest proportion exists as groundwater.
– Approximately 68.7% of the Earth’s freshwater is stored in ice caps, glaciers, and permanent snow.
– The remaining freshwater (about 31.3%) is primarily found underground as groundwater (about 30.1%).
– A much smaller amount of freshwater exists on the surface (lakes, rivers, swamps, about 1.2%) and in the atmosphere (moisture and clouds, a very small percentage) and as soil moisture (also a small percentage, part of the surface/other category).
– Specifically, groundwater accounts for the vast majority of available liquid freshwater on Earth.
Although surface water in lakes and rivers is the most visible form of freshwater and the easiest to access, it constitutes only a tiny fraction of the total freshwater resources. Groundwater is a crucial source for drinking water and irrigation globally.