Ode to H2O

Abstract

Water is the wonder substance: no other has such a wide range of 'talents' (i.e. exceptional properties). As a liquid, it is 'Nature's fluid' - the solvent and support medium for life. In all three phases (ice, liquid and vapour) it is the main controller of Earth's climate, and (elusively!) is the greatest source of uncertainties in predicting future climate change. Yet sadly, freshwater degradation is among our top few environmental threats (Gleick, 1993). This article is one of a 'resource appreciation' series. It describes the 'wonder' properties of water, showing that Nature had only one choice for Nature's fluid, and encourages conservation. It is a natural sequel to a first paper, 'Ode to Planet Earth' (Buchan 1994), which describes the special, life-enabling features of spaceship Earth, the Sun's only watery planet.