Groundwater

1
Groundwater

• Chapter 10

2
Movement and Storage

• If precipitation doesnt runoff the surface it
  infiltrates into the ground.
• Well sorted sediments allow water to infiltrate
  into the ground more easily than poorly sorted
  sediments.
• Porosity- of pore space.

3
Zone of Saturation

• Zone of saturation- the depth below the Earths
  surface in which ground water fills all the pore
  spaces.

4
Ground water movement

• Permeability- the ability of a material to let
  water through.

5
Ground water movement

• Aquifers- permeable layers

6
Groundwater Erosion

• Dissolution- the process of dissolving calcium
  carbonate
• Caves- a natural underground opening with a
  connection to the earths surface
• Karst topography- limestone regions that have
  sinkholes, sinks, and sinking streams.

7
Groundwater Erosion

• Sinkhole- a depression in the ground caused by
  the collapse of a cave or by direct dissolution
  below the earths surface.

8
Groundwater deposits

• Hard Water- water that contains a high
  concentrations of calcium, magnesium, or iron.
• Stalactites- deposits that hang from a caves
  ceiling
• Stalagmites- drip stone deposit that forms below
  a stalactite.

9
Groundwater systems

• Springs- natural discharge of ground water at the
  earths surface

10
Groundwater systems

• Hot springs- springs that discharge water well
  above the average air temperature.
• Geysers- explosive hot springs

11
Wells

• Well- a hole dug or drilled into the ground to
  reach a reservoir of ground water

12
Wells

• Artesian Well- water is forced out of the round
  because of pressure from the recharge area.

13
Threats to water use

• Overuse-

14
Threats to water use

• Subsidence- sinking of land due to excessive
  withdrawal of groundwater
• Pollution

15
Threats to water use

• Chemicals-
• Salt-