What is surface water primarily composed of?

Surface water primarily refers to bodies of water that are found on the Earth's surface, such as lakes, rivers, and streams. These bodies of water are directly associated with precipitation, which includes rain, snow, and other forms of moisture that fall onto the land. When precipitation occurs, it collects in various forms, creating surface water features.

This composition highlights the natural hydrological cycle, where water evaporates, condenses in the atmosphere, and eventually falls back to the Earth's surface as precipitation. The collection of this water is crucial for ecosystems, drinking water supplies, and recreational activities and plays a significant role in regional climates.

The other answer choices – underground springs and aquifers, desalinated ocean water, and industrial wastewater – do not capture the primary sources and types of surface water. Underground springs and aquifers refer to groundwater sources, desalinated ocean water pertains to post-treatment of seawater for consumption, and industrial wastewater signifies water that has been contaminated during industrial processes and is not a natural source of surface water. Therefore, lakes and rivers resulting from precipitation accurately represent what surface water is fundamentally composed of.