Groundwater

Importance of groundwater Groundwater is water found in sediment, plus narrow fractures in bedrock Groundwater is the largest reservoir of fresh water available to humans

Distribution of Groundwater

Fresh water of the Hydrosphere

The water table Water table is the upper limit of saturation Variations in the water table Depth is highly variable –Varies seasonally and from year to year Shape is usually similar to surface topography

Factors influencing movement of groundwater Permeability, aquitards, and aquifers Permeability – the ability of a material to transmit a fluid Aquitard – an impermeable layer that hinders water movement (such as clay) Aquifer – permeable rock strata or sediment that transmits groundwater freely (such as sands and gravels)

Springs may result from a perched water table

Features associated with groundwater Hot springs Water is 6-9 o C warmer than the mean annual air temperature of the locality The water for most hot springs is heated by cooling of igneous rock

Distribution of hot springs and geysers in the United States

Glenwood Hot Springs

Mt Princeton Hot Springs

Features associated with groundwater Geysers Intermittent hot springs Water erupts with great force Occur where extensive underground chambers exist within hot igneous rock Groundwater heats, expands, changes to steam, and erupts

Evolution of a geyser eruption

Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone Natl Park

Yellowstone Geyser erupting

Yellowstone Geyser Pool prior to eruption

Aquifer Model for the Front Range

Location of Ogallala Aquifer

Question: How many gallons of groundwater are pumped from aquifers per day in the USA? A)100 Million B)1 Billion C)10 Billion D) 100 Billion

Question: How many gallons of groundwater are pumped from aquifers per day in the USA? A)100 Million B)1 Billion C)10 Billion D) 100 Billion

Features associated with groundwater Wells To ensure a continuous supply of water, a well must penetrate below the water table Pumping of wells can cause –Drawdown (lowering) of the water table –Cone of depression in the water table

Formation of a cone of depression in the water table

Problems associated with groundwater withdrawal Treating groundwater as a nonrenewable resource In many places water available to recharge aquifer is less than amount being withdrawn Subsidence Ground sinks when water is pumped from wells faster than natural recharge replaces it

How many years does it take to effectively remove groundwater resources in the Great Plains? A) A few years B) Tens of years C) Hundreds of years D) Thousands of years

How many years does it take to effectively remove groundwater resources in the Great Plains? A) A few years B) Tens of years C) Hundreds of years D) Thousands of years

Problems associated with groundwater withdrawal Saltwater contamination Groundwater withdrawal causes saltwater to be drawn into wells, contaminating supply Primarily a problem in coastal areas

Saltwater contamination due to excessive well pumping

Groundwater contamination Common source is sewage Extremely permeable aquifers, such as gravel, have such large pores that groundwater may travel long distances without being cleaned Sewage usually becomes purified as it passes through a few dozen meters of an aquifer composed of sand or permeable sandstone

Contamination of water well by Septic System

Question: Why is ground water flow direction changing direction here? A)Pumping lowers water table so that it is tilted towards community well B)Bacteria expand and push water away from septic tank C)Drought causes water table to become lower D)Septic wastes always flow towards wells open to the air

Fast flow contaminates well

Why are septic systems usually only used in rural areas? A)It makes for better lyrics in country and western songs B)Few people live in these areas and the septic systems can handle the small amounts of waste that is produced C)Sewer pipes in cities block the flow of groundwater and render septic systems ineffective D)Its expensive to run sewer pipes over large areas for only a few houses E)B and D

Hydraulic head and urban water supplies

Why are there no water tanks in Boulder? A)Boulder gets its water from the mountains, so there is already lots of hydraulic head B)Boulder disguises its water tanks as large rocks in the Flatirons C)Boulder doesn’t use enough water to require the use of tanks D) People in Boulder only drink Evian and therefore don’t use tap water

Geologic work of groundwater Caverns Most caverns are created by acidic groundwater dissolving soluble rock at or just below the surface in the zone of saturation

Geologic work of groundwater Groundwater dissolves rock Groundwater is often mildly acidic –Contains weak carbonic acid –Forms when rainwater dissolves carbon dioxide from the air and from decaying plants Carbonic acid reacts with calcite in limestone to form calcium bicarbonate, a soluble material

Geologic work of groundwater Caverns Features found within caverns –Composed of dripstone (travertine) –Calcite deposited as dripping water evaporates –Collectively, they are called speleothems –Includes stalactites (hanging from the ceiling) and stalagmites (form on the floor of a cavern)

Speleothems in Carlsbad Caverns National Park

“Soda straws” in Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Geologic work of groundwater Karst topography Landscapes that have been shaped by the dissolving power of groundwater Some common features include –Irregular terrain –Sinkhole or sinks (formed by groundwater slowly dissolving the bedrock often accompanied by collapse) –Striking lack of surface drainage (streams)

Stream incision, cave development and karst topography

Development of a Sinkhole

Sinkholes in Florida

Sinkholes in Urban Settings