Groundwater & Aquifers

What is groundwater? When precipitation falls, it will runoff of IMPERMEABLE surfaces, and it will get absorbed by PERMEABLE surfaces.

Permeable vs. Impermeable Surfaces Impermeable- water CANNOT move through the object Impermeable Example: Asphalt or Concrete

Permeable vs. Impermeable Surfaces Permeable- water CAN move through the material Example: Sponge Surfaces that are more permeable absorb more water.

Porosity Porosity: Amount of open space in rocks and sediment that can hold water Rounded sediments of the same size can hold more water than odd shaped sediments of different sizes. High porosity Low porosity

How we access groundwater Water comes out of the ground through the discharge zone. This can be accessed through a spring, lake, stream, or well.

Aquifers What is an Aquifer? Why are they so important? Underground storage of water Why are they so important? Most drinking water comes from aquifers. A well is a man-made method of accessing water from an aquifer. Water flows in an aquifer the same way it would flow on earth’s surface. It flows down slope.

Parts of an Aquifer Unsaturated Zone – part of an aquifer that is not completely full of water Saturated Zone – part of an aquifer that is completely full of water Water Table – the boundary between saturated and unsaturated water Discharge Zone – The area where water leaves an aquifer (ex. a well) Recharge Zone – the area where water enters an aquifer (ex. streams, lakes, etc.) Capillary Action – the movement of water upward against gravity

Diagram of an Aquifer