Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
1
Hydrologic Cycle Groundwater
2
Water, water everywhere Oceans – 97.2% Ice – 2.15% Fresh water – 0.65%
3
The Hydrologic Cycle: Processes Evaporation Condensation Precipitation Runoff Storage Infiltration
4
The Hydrologic (Water) Cycle
5
Energy for the Water Cycle Sun Gravity
6
Related Processes Weathering Erosion Delivery of sediment to the sea Delivery of ions to the sea
7
What factors determine whether precipitation will runoff or infiltrate? Earth materials: permeable or not Land use/vegetation Slope Degree of saturation Duration of precipitation Intensity of precipitation
8
Groundwater Precipitation infiltrates Water resides in pore spaces or porosity Groundwater is in communication with surface water Exchange happens all the time Springs bring groundwater out on the surface Maintains stream flow without precipitation
9
Aquifers Any Earth material that can hold and deliver sufficient water for use is an aquifer Aquifers have two basic properties: Porosity - usually 5% or more Permeability Common aquifers: SandGravel SandstoneLimestone Any highly fractured rock
10
Groundwater Water resides in zone of saturation within aquifer Above this is the zone of aeration Boundary is the water table Water tables move with relative rates of recharge and discharge Water table mimics topography – not flat!
11
Groundwater Advantages Abundant Clean – relatively free of pathogens Constant temperature More protected from contamination Disadvantages Cost to drill wells Higher TDS (“Hard water”) Contamination is difficult to discover Large volumes with low concentrations of contaminants are difficult to clean
12
The Hydrologic (Water) Cycle
13
Surface Water Oceans Rivers and streams Lakes and ponds Springs – groundwater becomes surface water
14
Surface Water Advantages Easily accessible Easy to recognize and treat contamination May be cheaper to produce Lower TDS (“Soft water”) Disadvantages Less abundant than groundwater Subject to climatic variations in availability Contamination is relatively easy Temperature varies greatly
15
Problems and concerns with surface water Availability Too little = drought Too much = flood Contamination
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.