Seemingly a small amount, the water stored as ice in glaciers would have a great impact on the environment if it were to melt into a liquid. One fear is that global warming will cause the melting and collapse of large ice sheets resulting in sea level rise. Rising sea levels could devastate coastal cities, displace millions of people, and wreak havoc on freshwater systems and habitats. NOAA Photo Library Used with permission Water beneath the surface comprises the next largest store of water in the hydrosphere. There is a difference between ground water and soil water.
Soil water is the water held in pore spaces between soil particles.
Soil pore spaces usually fill with water after a rain storm but are usually partially void of water. Ground water, on the other hand, is found where earth materials are saturated throughout the year. That is, the pore spaces are always occupied with water. Both soil and ground water are very important sources of water. Soil water is available for plants to extract and use.