11: Ground Water Hydrogeology: The study of ground-water/earth-material interactions Geology controls ground-water recharge, flow, discharge and availability Ground water acts as a geologic agent: Weathering, dissolution, volcanism, metamorphism, slope stability, earthquakes….

Ground Water The Unseen Part of the Water Cycle Aquifer Salt Groundwater

Hydrogeology Defined Water/Earth Interactions Earth materials Rock Sediment (Soil) Fluids (Water) Geologic processes Form, Distribute and Change Earth materials Water is a primary agent of many (all?) geologic processes

Hydrogeology Defined Water/Earth Interactions Interactions go both ways Groundwater controls geologic processes Geology controls flow and availability of groundwater

Hydrogeology Defined Water/Earth Interactions Geology controls groundwater flow Permeable pathways are controlled by distributions of geological materials

Hydrogeology Defined Water/Earth Interactions Geology controls groundwater flow Permeable pathways are controlled by distributions of geological materials Where groundwater is available as a resource is controlled by geology

Hydrogeology Defined Water/Earth Interactions Geology controls groundwater flow Permeable pathways are controlled by distributions of geological materials Where groundwater is available as a resource is controlled by geology Contaminant transport in the subsurface is controlled by geology

Hydrogeology Defined Water/Earth Interactions Groundwater controls geologic processes Volcanic Processes: Igneous Rocks: Groundwater controls water content of magmas Metamorphic Rocks: Groundwater injected by magmas can metamorphose country rocks Volcanism: Geysers are an example of volcanic activity interacting with groundwater

Hydrogeology Defined Water/Earth Interactions Groundwater controls geologic processes Earthquakes: fluids control fracturing and fault movement, lubrication and pressures Landslides: groundwater controls slope failure Landforms: Valley development and karst topography

Ground Water Zones Degree of saturation defines different soil water zones

Soil and Groundwater Zones Unsaturated Zone: Water in pendular saturation Caplillary Fringe: Water is pulled above the water table by capilary suction Water Table: where fluid pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure Saturated Zone: Where all pores are completely filled with water. Phreatic Zone: Saturated zone below the water table

Ground water and the Water cycle Infiltration Infiltration capacity Overland flow Ground water recharge GW flow GW discharge

Bedrock Hydrogeology Hydraulic Conductivity of bedrock is controlled by Size of fracture openings Spacing of fractures Interconnectedness of fractures

Potentiometric Surfaces

Potentiometric Surfaces

Ground Water as a Geologic Agent

Ground Water as a Geologic Agent

Ground Water as a Geologic Agent

Ground Water Contamination

Contaminant Transport

1861: Frazier v. Brown English Rule in Ohio Ohio Groundwater Law 1843: Acton v. Blundell “English Rule” The landowner can pump groundwater at any rate even if an adjoining property owner were harmed. 1861: Frazier v. Brown English Rule in Ohio Groundwater is “…occult and concealed…” and legislation of its use is “…practically impossible.”

Wisconsin Groundwater Law 1903: Huber v. Merkel English Rule in Wisconsin A property owner can pump unlimited amounts of groundwater, even with malicious harm to a neighbor. 1974: Wisconsin v. Michels Pipeline Constructors Inc. English Rule Overturned   Landowners no longer have “an absolute right to use with impunity all water that can be pumped from the subsoil underneath.”

English Rule Overturned in Ohio 1984: Cline v. American Aggregates  English Rule overturned in Ohio   Justice Holmes: “Scientific knowledge in the field of hydrology has advanced in the past decade…” so it “…can establish the cause and effect relationship of the tapping of underground water to the existing water level.” Today: Lingering effects of English Rule It is very difficult to prove cause and effect to be defensible in court.