APES Individual Water Systems Vocab 1

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary related to groundwater and aquifers, including definitions and explanations of concepts.

Ground water

Water stored underground in soil and rock.

Aquifer

An underground layer that holds and moves groundwater.

Well

A hole dug to reach groundwater.

Well casing

Pipe lining the well to keep it open and clean.

Well screen

A filter at the bottom of the well that lets water in but keeps dirt out.

Porosity

How much space a rock or soil has.

Permeability

How easily water can flow through a material.

Impermeable layer

A layer of water that cannot pass through.

Zone of saturation

An area underground where all pores are filled with water.

Zone of aeration

Area underground with air in the pores, above the water.

Water table

The top of the zone of saturation.

Capillary

Tiny spaces that pull water upward.

Capillary fringe

The thin layer where water is pulled above the water table.

Drawdown

Lowering of the water table from pumping.

Recharge

Water refilling an aquifer.

Usage

How much groundwater people use.

Groundwater overdraft

Using groundwater faster than it refills.

Land Subsidence

Ground sinks when too much water is removed.

Saltwater intrusion

Saltwater is moving into freshwater aquifers.