Groundwater

How does water get into the ground How does water get into the ground? Infiltration Considered “groundwater” when the water reaches the zone of saturation

Zone of Saturation: All spaces between sediment particles are full of water. Zone of Aeration: Most space is filled with air. The boundary between the two is called the water table. Aquifer – any rock layer where water is stored

Permeability: The ability of liquids or gasses to move through a substance. Porosity: How much space between particles there is. These two qualities are closely related. The fluids are able to permeate through a solid by passing through the pores it contains, and grater the number and size of pores in a given mass of solid, easier it is for the fluids to pas through. Thus in general higher porosity in a material is likely to be accompanied by higher permeability also.

Ordinary Well – No pressure; water doesn’t rise Artesian Well – Pressure; water rises Spring – where water naturally comes out onto the surface. Geysers**

Subsiding – too much water removed from ground, too quickly – ground sinking.

Karst Landscapes Areas of limestone dissolve away slowly creating unique features: Caves/Caverns: underground holes Stalactites: dripping water leaves deposition on ceiling Stalagmites: dripping water leaves deposition on ground Column/Pillar: when Stalactite and Stalagmite meet Disappearing Streams: streams that go into underground caves

Sinkholes: ground collapses Uvalas: multiple sinkholes joined together

Great Blue Hole, Belize

Explain the difference between porosity and permeability Explain the difference between porosity and permeability. Explain the difference between ordinary well and artesian wells What is subsiding and how can it impact humans? What is the cause of karst landscapes? What are some of their features?

How might humans affect the groundwater How might humans affect the groundwater? What could be some of the consequences? Read Chapter 15 in your booklet.