Transcript Groundwater and Atmosphere

Groundwater
Groundwater
• Water Table: The upper surface of
underground water; the upper boundary of
the zone of saturation.
• Zone of saturation: Spaces between rocks
and soil are filled with water
• Zone of aeration: Spaces between rocks
and soil are filled with air.
Groundwater
• Aquifer: A body of
rock or sediment that
stores groundwater
and allows the flow of
groundwater.
Groundwater
• Porosity: The percentage of the total
volume of a rock or sediment that consists
of open spaces.
• Porosity measures how much water the
aquifer could hold.
Groundwater
• Permeability: The ability of a rock or
sediment to let fluids pass through its open
spaces, or pores.
– Large particles have less surface area, so
there will be less friction to slow water down.
= More permeable
– Small particles have more surface area,
therefore more friction. = Less permeable
• A rock that stops the flow of water is
impermeable.
Groundwater
• Recharge Zone: An
area in which water
travels downward to
become part of an
aquifer.
Groundwater
• Artesian Spring: A spring whose water
flows from a crack in the cap rock over the
aquifer
• Well: A human-made hole that is deeper
than the level of the water table.
Groundwater
• Sinkhole: When the
water table is lower
than the level of a
cave, the cave is no
longer supported by
the water underneath.
The roof of the cave
can then collapse,
which leaves a
sinkhole.
Groundwater Questions
1. What is the relationship between the
zone of aeration, the zone of saturation,
and the water table?
2. Describe the difference between porosity
and permeability.
3. Explain how urban growth might affect
the recharge zone of an aquifer.
4. Explain the difference between a spring
and a well.