Groundwater and Its Characteristics

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to groundwater, its properties, and its significance.

Groundwater

A supply of water located beneath the Earth's surface.

Porosity

The percentage of a material that is open space.

Permeability

How easily a fluid passes through a material.

Aquifer

A layer of rock or sediment that can transmit water.

Aquitard

A layer of rock or sediment that restricts water flow.

Water Table

The upper surface of the zone of saturation where water fills all the pores in the soil.

Dowsing

A method used to locate ground water using divining rods.

Spring

A natural source of water that flows from the ground where the water table intersects the surface.

Cone of Depression

An area where the water table has dropped due to pumping from a well.

Subsidence

The sinking of the ground caused by the removal of groundwater.

Karst

A type of topography resulting from the dissolution of soluble rocks, characterized by sinkholes and caverns.

Recharge

The process by which water is added to an aquifer through precipitation, rivers, or lakes.

Discharge

The flow of groundwater from an aquifer to the surface.

Saltwater Encroachment

The movement of saline water into freshwater aquifers, which can occur when groundwater is pumped at a rate that exceeds its natural recharge.