Groundwater Chapter 10. Movement and Storage If precipitation doesn’t runoff the surface it infiltrates into the ground. Well sorted sediments allow water.

GroundwaterGroundwater

Chapter 10Chapter 10

Movement and StorageMovement and Storage

• If precipitation doesn’t 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.

Zone of SaturationZone of Saturation

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

Ground water movementGround water movement

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

Ground water movementGround water movement

• Aquifers- permeable layers

Groundwater ErosionGroundwater Erosion

• Dissolution- the process of dissolving calcium carbonate

• Caves- a natural underground opening with a connection to the earth’s surface

• Karst topography- limestone regions that have sinkholes, sinks, and sinking streams.

Groundwater ErosionGroundwater Erosion

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

Groundwater depositsGroundwater deposits

• Hard Water- water that contains a high concentrations of calcium, magnesium, or iron.

• Stalactites- deposits that hang from a cave’s ceiling

• Stalagmites- drip stone deposit that forms below a stalactite.

Groundwater systemsGroundwater systems

• Springs- natural discharge of ground water at the earth’s surface

Groundwater systemsGroundwater systems

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

• Geysers- explosive hot springs

WellsWells

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

WellsWells

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

Threats to water useThreats to water use

• Overuse-

Threats to water useThreats to water use

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

• Pollution

Threats to water useThreats to water use

• Chemicals-

• Salt-