Chapter 16 Groundwater
Groundwater Water that fills and moves through pores in rock and sediment Important part of fresh water
Aquifer Body of rock or sediment where large amounts of water flow or is stored
Porosity % of the rock or sediment with open space Sorting affects porosity
Permeability Ability of a rock or sediment to let fluids pass through Impermeable – water cannot flow Clay
Aquifers Gravity pulls water down until it reaches an impermeable layer
Zones of Aquifers Saturation – pore space is completely filled with water Water table – upper layer of zone
Aeration – Between surface and water table 3 layers 1. Soil moisture 2. Dry 3. Capillary fringe – attraction of water molecules
Water Tables Change
Conserving Groundwater Water moves slowly Years to replace Recharge zone – water travels to reach an aquifer Sensitive to pollution
Ordinary Well
Ordinary Spring
Cone of Depression
Artesian Formation Permeable rock between impermeable rock Sloped No pumping
Geysers and Hot Springs 16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Hard vs Soft Water Hard – lots of minerals Soft – low amounts
Cavern Large cave with smaller chambers
Stalactites – top Stalagmites – bottom Column - connect
Sinkholes Water dissolves rock
Karst Topography Caverns and sinkholes in limestone