1. Bell Ringer Describe one way estuaries are degraded:
Sedimentation (excess sediment due to erosion and deposition)
Overfishing (destroys ecosystems/food chains)
Damming for flood control (changes water quality and ecosystems)
Bioaccumulation (buildup of toxins in organisms)
Eutrophication (chemicals creating dead zones)

2. Today
5.5 Notes
Permeability Lab

3. Groundwater

4. Groundwater
Groundwater – water under the Earth’s surface in rock or soil
Protected from weather changes, so stays the same temperature year-round

5. Groundwater
Aquifer – permeable layer of rock or soil that holds and collects groundwater
Two types of aquifers – confined and unconfined

6. Groundwater
Unconfined aquifers – allow water to seep directly from the surface above them
Confined aquifers – have a rock layer that prevents water from seeping from the surface above

7. Groundwater
Recharge – natural refilling of an aquifer from precipitation and runoff
On average, groundwater remains underground hundreds of years, so we need to ensure that the water is plentiful and safe

8. Dissolved Minerals
Groundwater contains carbonic acid, created when carbon dioxide dissolves in water
The acidic water dissolves certain rocks like limestone (________ weathering), forming caves
chemical

9. Dissolved Minerals
These dissolved minerals can turn back into rocks as the groundwater drips for a long time
Linville Caverns

10. Dissolved Minerals
Stalactites – calcite deposits that hang down from the ceiling of a cave
(StalaCtites hang from the Ceiling)
Stalagmites – calcite deposits that grow UP from the floor of a cave
(StalaGmites grow up from the Ground)
Transverse columns – when stalactites and stalagmites connect

11. Transverse Column
Stalactites
Stalagmites

12. Dissolved Minerals
The dissolved minerals in groundwater can affect your house (NOT dangerous, just a nuisance)
Hard Water – water that contains calcium, magnesium, or iron from dissolved minerals

13. Dissolved Minerals Effects of Hard Water:
Soap leaves a residue after bathing, which can prevent soil and bacteria from effectively washing away
Washed clothes or dishes can have mineral deposits left behind
If mineral deposits are left in pipes, it can eventually clog them

14. Groundwater Flow Groundwater flows downhill due to gravity
The steeper the slope, the ________ groundwater will flow
Groundwater flow is usually very slow because the water has to squeeze through the tiny pores of the subsurface material
The smaller the pores, the _______ the water will flow
faster
slower

15. Groundwater Flow
Review: the higher a soil or rock’s porosity, the more water it can hold
porosity = runoff

16. Groundwater Flow
Permeability – the ability for water to pass through a material
Depends on the size of the pores and how connected they are

17. Groundwater Summary: Porosity – holds the water
Permeability – lets water through

18. Groundwater Flow
Permeable rocks have large pores, so groundwater can flow up to 200m a year
Examples: sandstone, limestone, and rubble (large, loose rocks)
Impermeable (not permeable) rocks have very small pores, so groundwater can flow only about 0.5m a year
Ex: shale and clay

19. Groundwater Flow
Impermeable layers act as barriers to groundwater flow

20. The Water Table
When water infiltrates the ground, it flows through the zone of aeration
Zone of Aeration – area below the surface that can hold more water (aeration  air in the pores)
There may be some water in the pores, but there is room for more
Zone of aeration

21. The Water Table
Zone of Saturation – area under the zone of aeration where every pore is filled with water
Water Table – top of the zone of saturation, highest level where groundwater exists
Zone of aeration

22. The Water Table
Air and Water
Water

23. The Water Table
The depth of the water table varies, from close to the surface in swamps or deep below the surface in deserts

24. Wells and Springs Springs – where the water table meets the surface
Water can trickle out of the ground, or it can create a whole stream
Hot springs – springs with water warmer than 98.6oF (human body temp)

25. The Liard Hot Springs along the Alaska Highway
Wells and Springs
The Liard Hot Springs along the Alaska Highway
What’s fueling the heat?

26. Wells and Springs
Geysers – boiling hot springs that erupt at regular intervals, gushing hot water and steam
Old Faithful – geyser in Yellowstone National Park that erupts almost every hour
Geysers erupt with lots of force and pressure, while springs typically do not

27. Wells and Springs
Wells – holes dug or drilled deep into the ground to reach an aquifer and then water is pumped up to the surface

28. Wells and Springs
Artesian Wells – groundwater trapped in a confined aquifer that is naturally forced upward (no need for a pump)

29. Wells and Springs Summary: Springs – flow naturally to the surface
Wells (other than artesian wells) – must be pumped to the surface

30. Permeability Lab Follow lab procedure CAREFULLY.
Part one is just using the computers – YOUR CELL PHONE WILL NOT WORK
Part two:
Soil sample is at the back of the room. Only one member needs to come to get the soil sample.
Follow clean-up precisely. Points will be deducted if you do not.
I cannot emphasize enough – NO SOIL GOES DOWN THE DRAINS!!!!!!
Put lab in basket when you are done