GROUNDWATER

Water table Zone of aeration- pore spaces filled with air Zone of saturation- pore spaces filled with water Dividing line is called the water table Zone of aeration Zone of saturation Water table

Groundwater affects surface water

Permeability how easily water flow through

AQUIFERS Ogallala AquiferSaturated layer (below water table) Need high permeability

WELLS Hole or pipe that is under the water table

PUMPING WELLS Creates cone of depression Lowers water table Draw diagram below:

Formation of a cone of depression in the water table

Artesian wells Flow to the surface naturally w/o pumps Under pressure “sandwiched” between two impermeable layers

GROUNDWATER POLLUTION SOURCES –Septic tanks –Landfills –Fertilizers/pesticides –Underground storage tanks (gas stations)

Septic tanks

landfills

HARD WATER Calcium, magnesium creates “hard water’ Will not suds up Creates white film in hot water pipes

Hot springs and geysers Groundwater heated by magma reaches the surface

OLD FAITHFUL

Caves Dissolution of limestone Lowering of water table

sinkholes

Corvette museum 2014

Montezuma's well

subsidence Ground slowly sinks Due to GW depleation

Karst topography Acid groundwater dissolves limestone Series of sinkholes, disappearing streams, caves Common in KY, WV, TN, IN

GEODES Formed from groundwater dissolution recrystallization