Which of the following describes the temporary storage of water as solid ice?

The term that best describes the temporary storage of water as solid ice is the cryosphere. The cryosphere encompasses all forms of water in solid state, including glaciers, ice caps, ice sheets, sea ice, and permafrost. It plays a crucial role in the Earth's climate system and contributes to the regulation of global temperatures by reflecting sunlight, influencing weather patterns, and storing freshwater.

In contrast, the hydrosphere refers to the total amount of water on Earth, which includes liquid water bodies like oceans, rivers, and lakes, as well as water vapor in the atmosphere. The biosphere encompasses all living organisms and their interactions with the environment, while the atmosphere consists of the layers of gases surrounding the planet. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why the cryosphere specifically relates to ice and the storage of water in its solid form.