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We live on a blue planet where more than 70% of the surface is compounded by water, however, most of it is salt water. Liquid fresh surface water is only around 2.5% of the earth's fresh water. Most of the drinkable one comes from freshwater bodies and also supports most of the human life and activities on earth.
According to the International Association for Great Lakes Research, the freshwater bodies in the world have an estimation of 125,000 cubic kilometers of water, and most half of that water amount is contained in just 5 lakes, which are not brackish.
Today we are going to look where are the 5 top greatest bodies of freshwater in the world:
- Lake Baikal
This is the world's largest freshwater lake by volume and depth size, with 22.995 km3 and 1.741m respectively. This lake is located in the southern region of Siberia, Russia and estimations say that it contains 20% of the already existing potable water in the world.
The lake was formed and surrounded by a rift valley over 30 million years ago and it actually makes it the oldest and deepest in the world. As another interesting fact, Baikal Lake is the home of more than 1000 species that cannot be found in other parts of the world.
- Lake Tanganyika
Tanganyika is the second-largest freshwater lake in the world, just surpassed by Baikal Lake. It is known for its 18,900 km3 volume and its longest, which may reach over 400 miles.
It is the home for more than 1500 important species, so it plays a key piece in biology terms. It even has impulse the creation of a sustainable international convention. A remarkable thing about it is that its side shores are surrounded by 4 countries: The Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Burundi, and Zambia.
- Lake Superior
This lake was formed by the action of a glacial, with data coming from about 10,000 years ago. It is located within the border of the United States and Canada, in North America.
This is the world-largest freshwater lake by surface in the world, reaching around 82,100 km2. In fact, estimations state that over 10% of the drinking water is within its surface.
- Lake Malawi
Also called lake Nyasa, Malawi is a meromictic lake and which means that its layers do not mix with each other. It is located in Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique and it is vastly used for water consumption and transportation processes.
This lake is the second deepest lake in Africa and It was declared as a protected area by the Mozambique government. An interesting fact about it: it was the site of Britain’s first naval battle in World War I.
- Lake Michigan
Joined with Lake Huron because it lies to its east, Lake Michigan is the largest lake located in the USA. It has a length of 494 km2 and is often considered a separate lake. It is shared by the states of Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
It has multiple ports in its shorts and two bays in the northwest and the northeast. Moreover, It is widely used as a drinking source for the people living near it and to make shipping and fishery commercial activities.
More interesting articles about ocean conservation:
- 10 WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
- CLEANING PLASTIC FROM THE SEA
- 8 Ways to help save the Oceans
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