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Groundwater. Where is groundwater located and how do humans . Recap of the Water Cycle. Groundwater. Groundwater is water below the earth’s surface
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Groundwater Where is groundwater located and how do humans
Groundwater • Groundwater is water below the earth’s surface • Groundwater is the biggest supplier of fresh water used for drinking, agriculture, and industry but it only makes up less than 1% of the hydrosphere
Groundwater • Groundwater is recharged when precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, hale) infiltrate into the ground • Groundwater is stored in the ground in materials like gravel or sand. • Water can also move through rock formations like sandstone or through cracks in rocks.
Porosity and Permeability • The amount of pore spaces (holes) within a rock/soil that can hold water is referred to as a material’s porosity • Substances are defined due to the connectedness of the pore spaces • well connected pores it is referred to as a permeable surface • Poorly connected pores it is referred to as impermeable
Groundwater Zones • There are two zones • The zone of aeration has water and air filling pore spaces between rock and soil particle. • The zone of saturation has only water filling pore spaces between rock and soil particles. • The top of the zone of saturation is called the water table. • An aquifer is an underground layer of rock or soil that contains water
Groundwater Storage • There are two types of aquifers, which store groundwater • A confined aquifer has an impermeable layer above it • An unconfined aquifer has an impermeable layer below it • An aquitardlayer that prevents water from escaping; impenetrable • Artesian Aquifer groundwater rises on its own due to pressure
Groundwater Movement • Groundwater moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure • Groundwater can flow into • Oceans • Rivers (gaining streams) • Wetlands • Lakes
Removing Groundwater • Companies/homes draw groundwater from the ground using wells • There are unsuccessful wells and successful wells (the Goldie Locks complex) • Successful wells • Infiltrate the water table • Are found in the middle of the water tableso they do not pull pollutants or dirt
Removing Groundwater • When many wells are pulling water from an aquifer they can create a cone of depression • In coastal zones this can cause salt water intrusion, where salt water invades the freshwater aquifer