Studied by 0 people
Looks like no one added any tags here yet for you.
actual evapotranspiration
the actual amount of evaporation and transpiration occurring at any given location
aquifer
a subsurface body of permeable oak or sediments through which water can flow in amounts adequate for wells and springs
artesian
pressurized groundwater that rises in a well or rock structure above local water table; may flow out onto the ground without pumping
baseflow
the portion of streamflow that consists of groundwater
cone of depression
the depressed shape of the water table around a well. after active pumping. the water table adjacent to the well is drawn down by the water removal
deficit
in the water balance, the amount of expected evapotranspiration exceeds the actual amount
drainage basin
the basic spatial geomorphic unit of a river system; distinguished from a neighboring basin by ridges and highlands that form divides, marking the limits of the catchment area
drawdown
the water table getting over because too much water is being pumped out
evaporation
the movement of free water molecules away from a wet surface into air that is less than saturated. the phase change from water to water vapor
gaining stream
a stream where groundwater flows into a stream. common in humid environments
groundwater mining
pumping out water from aquifers
hydrologic cycle
a simplified model to show the flow of water, ice, and water vapor from place to place. this model is powered by solar energy and gravity
infiltration
water access to subsurface regions of soil moisture storage through penetration of the soil surface
losing stream
a stream that is not connected to groundwater and gradually loses water
lysimeter
a device that measures the total water inputs and outputs by measuring a change in weight over time
percolation
the process by which water permeates the soil or porous rock into the subsurface environment
permeability
the ability of water to flow through soil or rock, a function of the texture and structure of the medium
porosity
the spaces, or voids, between particles in a material such as soil or rock
potential evapotranspiration
the amount of moisture that would evaporate and transpire under optimum moisture conditions.
precipitation
the moisture supply in the water balance. takes the form of rain, snow, sleet, and hail
recharge
the process of water moving downward to replenish groundwater reservoirs
renewable resource
a resource that can continue to exist despite being consumed. they replenish themselves at the same rate they are drained
saturated zone
the zone in which all pores and rock features are filled with water
subsidence
occurs when the ground sinks due to the removal of groundwater
surplus
in the water balance, it is the condition that occurs when all water demands are met and extra water remains, often in the form of runoff that recharges lakes and groundwater
transpiration
the movement of water vapor out through pores in leaves; the water is drawn by the plant roots from soil moisture storage
unsaturated zone
the portion of the subsurface above the water table
water balance
a water accounting system for an area of earths surface using inputs of precipitation and outputs of evapotranspiration and surface runoff
water table
the upper surface of groundwater; that contact point between the zone of saturation and the zone of aeration in an unconfined aquifer
wetland
an area that is permanently or seasonally saturated with water and characterized by vegetation adapted to hydrocarbons soils
