Which component of the earth includes the water above, on, or in the earth's crust? (this includes water in the oceans, seas, lakes, ground water, and atmospheric moisture.)

Hydrosphere

Explanation:

Hydrosphere is defined as the region that contains all the water bodies on earth. It includes all three phases of water namely the solid, liquid and gas. These are the water present in the ocean, glaciers, underground water, and atmospheric water. It covers the majority portion of the earth. This water in the hydrosphere plays an important role in regulating the water from one form to another, maintain a cycle that is commonly known as the water cycle.  

The hydrosphere is also important as it maintains the climatic conditions on earth. A change in the amount of these water content in various regions can create a disbalance in the overall processes that undergo on earth.

All types of lives are dependent on these water bodies.