Ground Water

Any water that seeps under the surface of the Earth Important source of drinking water Divided into 2 zones

Zone of Aeration Upper zone that allows water to pass through it

Zone of Saturation Lower zone that traps the water in spaces between the rocks

Water Table The boundary between the 2 zones If the water table reaches the surface, it will form a lake

Aquifer Layer of rocks that allow water to collect in it and flow through it Found in the Zone of Saturation

Porosity Determined by the open spaces between rocks Bigger rocks have bigger openings = high porosity Smaller rocks have smaller openings = low porosity

Permeability The ability to let fluids pass through Zone of Aeration is permeable Something that does not allow water to pass through is Impermeable

Springs Water that naturally flows out of the Earths surface Important source of drinking water for most of the human population

Wells Man-made hole for the purpose of getting ground water

Point Source Pollution Pollution from a single identifiable source Often occurs due to factory, waste treatment plants discharge pollution before it is cleaned Examples: oil spills, manufacturing plants, chemical plants EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the Clean Water Act

Nonpoint Source Pollution Pollution from several locations that are not easily identified Occurs often due to runoff picking up pollution on the ground and moving it to a water source Examples: gas and oil from parking lots, animal waste from farms, fertilizers Not much being done but scientists are starting for focus on it

Nonpoint or Point Source?