1. Chapter 16
Groundwater

2. Water beneath the surface - called groundwater
Properties of Aquifers
Aquifer - a body of rock or sediment in which large amount of water can be stored

3. 2. Porosity - % of rock or sediment that consists of open space
Sorting - particles of similar size have high porosity
Loosely packer material holds more water

4. 3. Permeability - the ease with which water passes through rock
Open spaces must be connected
Fine grained rock is impermeable

5. B. Zones of Aquifers
Zone of Saturation - pore spaces are completely filled with water
Zone of Aeration - lies between Zone of Saturation and Earth’s surface

6. C. Movement of Groundwater
Groundwater flows down with gravity
Water table fluctuates with precipitation and drought
Shallow contours follow surface
Can be 2 water tables - top one called perched water table

7. D. Conserving Groundwater
Only sources of water in some areas
Aquifers can take thousands of years to form
Aquifer “watershed” is called recharge zone
Pollution can enter
Ocean water can enter

8. E. Wells and Springs Well - a hole dug to bottom of water table
Spring - natural flow of ground water onto Earth’s surface where surface dips below water table
Ordinary wells - must be pumped
Artesian Formations - naturally pressurized wells and springs

9. E. Hot Spring - heated by magma

10. F. Mud pots - dried up hot spring

11. Paint pots - bacteria make colored bands

12. F. Geysers - hot spring with a pinched vent

13. II. Groundwater and Chemical weathering
Caverns - a large cave with interconnecting chamber

14. B. Stalactites and Stalagmites - dripping water leaves vertical deposits

15. C. Sinkholes - depression of collapsed crust over empty space below

16. D. Natural bridges - caverns collapse but some roof remains

17. E. Karst Topography - irregular topography caused by groundwater and soluble rock (think valley and ridge)