This incredible capture of the desert in Oman shows water creeping its way along the sandy landscape. (NASA/Kjell Lindgren)

Murky blue water stretches its long branches across the sandy landcape of Oman in this incredible photo taken from the International Space Stationby NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren. This view of such a water-scarce landscapeputs into perspective just how precious the resource is.

The astronauts on the International Space Station research water purification techniques, and technology developed there is making a difference across the world. The Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), according to NASA, allows the astronauts to live in space and may one day enable them to stay hydrated on our barren neighbor, Mars. Like in the book and movie "The Martian," the life support system works on reused water.

NASA shares its technology with aid organizations across the world. It's been utilized in places like Chiapas Mexico, where the water poses health risks to citizens. Because of the local water purification plant utilizing the ELCSS technology, "children in Chiapas, previously sickened by parasites and stomach bugs, now have access during school to clean, safe drinking water," NASA writes.

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The Persian Gulf country of Oman pictured above may border the ocean, but it's one of the hottest climates in the world. It receives less than 5 inches of rainfall per year on average, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and water is one of the main climatic and socio-economic constraints in the region.

Though this photo may seem like a beautiful, abstract piece of art, it serves to remind us of the importance of water, and of the efforts taking place to remedy this global issue.

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The Aprapaho Glacier in Colorado in 1898. (NASA)