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Movement and Storage of Groundwater

Movement and Storage of Groundwater. Distribution of Earth’s Water. The Hydrosphere. Groundwater Infiltration and Storage. Determined by soil characteristics. Well sorted sediments High porosity. Poorly sorted sediments Low porosity. Porosity percentage of pore space in a material.

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Movement and Storage of Groundwater

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  1. Movement and Storage of Groundwater

  2. Distribution of Earth’s Water

  3. The Hydrosphere

  4. Groundwater Infiltration and Storage • Determined by soil characteristics

  5. Well sorted sediments High porosity Poorly sorted sediments Low porosity • Porosity • percentage of pore space in a material. •  porosity =  infiltration and  storage

  6. Permeability • ability of a material to let water pass through • well connected pores •  permeability =  infiltration &  groundwater movement

  7. Impermeable • pores not connected • water does not flow well

  8. Groundwater Storage

  9. zone of saturation • depth below Earth’s surface where groundwater completely fills all the pores. • water table • upper boundary of the zone of saturation • zone of aeration • above the water table • the pores contain mostly air

  10. The Water Table • Depth varies depending on local conditions • Follows the topography of the land above it • Fluctuates with seasonal and other weather conditions

  11. Groundwater Movement • Aquifers • underwater permeable layers where most groundwater flow takes place. • Aquicludes • impermeable layers • barriers to groundwater flow.

  12. Confined Aquifers • usually between two aquicludes • deep and less easily polluted

  13. Groundwater Erosion and Deposition • Most groundwater contains some acid. • Groundwater attacks (dissolves) carbonate rocks, especially limestone.

  14. Dissolution by Groundwater • Karst Topography • limestone regions that have caves, caverns, sinkholes, sinks, and sinking streams

  15. Dissolution by Groundwater • Caves • a natural underground opening with a connection to Earth’s surface • most formed when groundwater dissolves limestone • most develop in the zone of saturation

  16. Dissolution by Groundwater • Sink hole • depression in the ground caused by the collapse of a cave or by the direct dissolution of bedrock

  17. Dissolution by Groundwater

  18. Dripstone Formations • Stalactites • cone-shaped or cylindrical • hang from a cave’s ceiling. • Stalagmites • mound-shaped deposits • floor of a cave • dripstone columns • Stalactites and stalagmites grow together

  19. Dripstone Formations

  20. Springs • natural discharges of groundwater • tend to occur where an aquifer and an aquiclude come in contact with Earth’s surface

  21. Springs • Hot springs • temperatures higher than that of the human body. • Geysers • explosive hot springs that erupt at regular intervals

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