Groundwater Where is groundwater located and how do humans

Recap of the Water Cycle

Groundwater Groundwater is water below the earth’s surface Groundwater is the biggest supplier of fresh water used for drinking, agriculture, and industry but it only makes up less than 1% of the hydrosphere

Groundwater Groundwater is recharged when precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, hale) infiltrate into the ground Groundwater is stored in the ground in materials like gravel or sand. Water can also move through rock formations like sandstone or through cracks in rocks.

Porosity and Permeability The amount of pore spaces (holes) within a rock/soil that can hold water is referred to as a material’s porosity Substances are defined due to the connectedness of the pore spaces – well connected pores it is referred to as a permeable surface – Poorly connected pores it is referred to as impermeable

Groundwater Zones There are two zones – The zone of aeration has water and air filling pore spaces between rock and soil particle. – The zone of saturation has only water filling pore spaces between rock and soil particles. The top of the zone of saturation is called the water table. An aquifer is an underground layer of rock or soil that contains water

Groundwater Storage There are two types of aquifers, which store groundwater – A confined aquifer has an impermeable layer above it – An unconfined aquifer has an impermeable layer below it An aquitard layer that prevents water from escaping; impenetrable Artesian Aquifer groundwater rises on its own due to pressure

Groundwater Movement Groundwater moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure Groundwater can flow into – Oceans – Rivers (gaining streams) – Wetlands – Lakes

Removing Groundwater Companies/homes draw groundwater from the ground using wells There are unsuccessful wells and successful wells (the Goldie Locks complex) Successful wells – Infiltrate the water table – Are found in the middle of the water table so they do not pull pollutants or dirt

Removing Groundwater When many wells are pulling water from an aquifer they can create a cone of depression In coastal zones this can cause salt water intrusion, where salt water invades the freshwater aquifer