1. this is where it all begins
the Water Cycle
this is where it all begins

2. water cannot pass through
Infiltration (also called percolation) only happens when the ground is permeable
Permeable
Impermeable
water can pass through
water cannot pass through
sedimentary rock
sand & silt
loam
compost / humus
igneous & metamorphic rock
*bedrock layer
clay
asphalt / concrete

3. Groundwater water stored underground
Zone of aeration
Unsaturated zone
Pore spaces in the material are filled mainly with air
Zone of saturation (also called an Aquifer)
Pore spaces in the material are filled with water
Water within the pores is groundwater
Water table --the upper limit of the zone of saturation
water table can move up when it rains or down during a drought

4. Aquitard – an impermeable layer of material
Aquifer – a permeable layer of material

5. unconfined confined Two Types of Aquifers type of aquifer description
water rests on an impermeable layer; ground above it is permeable; can be refilled from rainwater that infiltrates
water trapped between 2 impermeable layers; water becomes pressurized; cannot be refilled from rainwater infiltration
type of well
regular well (water needs to be drawn or pumped out)
Artesian well (water rises under its own pressure)

6. Springs Spring groundwater that emerges naturally from the surface
when the water table intersects with the surface of Earth

7. Porosity & Permeability
Porosity – amount of water that can be stored in the pore spaces
Permeability – ability of water to flow through connected pore spaces
pore spaces
are air !!!

8. Wells
Well - hole drilled into the zone of saturation for extracting water
Artesian Well – well drilled into a confined aquifer; rises under its own pressure

9. Cone of depression – lowering of the water table around a well due to large amounts of water being pumped out

11. Groundwater Overuse (cont’d)
Ground subsidence (sinking) can occur if water is used faster than it is replenished
Creates depressions or sinkholes

12. Sources of Groundwater Contamination
Sewage from septic tanks, farm wastes, inadequate or broken sewers
Fertilizers and pesticides from agriculture
Residential runoff
Highway salts
Chemical and industrial materials that leak from pipelines, storage tanks, landfills, or holding tanks
Saltwater in coastal areas
Minerals and nutrients from dissolved rock and other natural materials

13. Types of Groundwater Pollution
Point Source Pollution – contaminants have an identifiable source
Smokestacks, car tailpipe
Nonpoint Source Pollution – contaminant source cannot be found
Several farmlands in the same area

14. Contaminant Spreading
Flow downhill – contaminants leaked into the ground at the top of a hill will flow downhill
Rainwater runoff – runs through the contaminant, absorbs it, and transfers it to another area

15. Groundwater Cleaning
Infiltration/Percolation - if water travels slowly through permeable sediment, the water is purified

16. River Basins
the land surface that drains surface water into one large river which takes the water to the ocean

17. River Basins (cont’d)
Watersheds (river basins) separated from each other by areas of higher elevation (divides).
Tributaries - small streams branching from larger streams and rivers

18. North Carolina’s River Basins
There are 17 river basins in North Carolina
Four of these river basins are found only in NC
The Hiwassee, Little Tennessee, French Broad, Watauga, and New River Basins empty into the Mississippi River while all the others empty into the Atlantic Ocean.

19. Catawba River Basin
In 2006, over 1.7 million people lived within the Catawba River Basin
Includes 15.6% of North Carolina’s population
Covers 6.24% of NC’s land
8th largest river basin in NC

20. Assignment River Basin Posters Include: Size of basin
Miles of streams/rivers
What part of NC
Draw a plant or animal
Describe a water quality issue
Explain or propose a solution
A unique geological or water feature
Draw you and your partner doing one of the recreational activities

22. Wetlands Land that is covered by water all or part of the year.
Includes swamps, marshes and bogs

23. Why Wetlands are Important
Provide flood protection during storms
Filter pollution & urban runoff
Habitat for many animals

24. Types of Wetlands Swamp Mostly trees & bushes Marsh
Tall grasses, some trees & bushes
Carolina Bays
Unique to East Coast
Oval-shaped lakes that often fill with plants & sediment

25. Headwater Swamp
January 2002

26. Swamp Forest
January 2002

27. Wet Pine Flat
Hard Wood Flat
January 2002

28. Tidal Salt Marsh
January 2002

29. Disappearing Wetlands
Drained for development
New homes, roads and schools
Laws now prevent the destruction of wetlands
Developers must create new wetlands if they destroy old ones
“In nature there are no rewards or punishments, only consequences”