Groundwater and Erosion Exam Review

These flashcards cover key concepts related to groundwater, aquifers, erosion, and sediment deposition from the lecture notes.

What is the difference between an ordinary well and an artesian well?

An ordinary well must pump water, while an artesian well allows water to reach the surface through pressure.

What is a cone of depression?

A cone of depression is the lowering of the water table around a well due to pumping.

What process allows water to get into the ground?

Infiltration.

What are four things that can affect the height of the water table?

Precipitation, pumping groundwater, surface water, and soil type.

How is porosity related to runoff?

Higher porosity leads to less runoff.

How is porosity related to infiltration?

Higher porosity leads to a higher rate of infiltration.

What do we call the place where water and pollution enter the ground?

Recharge zone.

What are sources of groundwater pollution besides farms?

Factories, landfills, road salt, and pollutant runoff.

What type of aquifer provides the cleanest water and why?

Confined aquifers provide clean water because they are between layers of impermeable rock.

What are ways to prevent groundwater contamination?

Don't litter and use fertilizers responsibly.

What is an aquifer?

An area in the ground that can hold water.

What is an aquiclude?

A layer of impermeable rock or sediment that stops the flow of groundwater.

What characteristics make a good aquifer?

High porosity and permeability.

What type of sediments can make aquifers and aquicludes?

Aquifers: gravel and sand; Aquicludes: clay and shale.

What is the zone of aeration?

The part of the aquifer that doesn't have water.

What is the zone of saturation?

The part of the aquifer that holds water.

What is a water table?

The top of the water in the ground, located between the zone of aeration and saturation.

How does water flow in aquifers?

Groundwater typically flows from areas of higher pressure to areas of lower pressure.

What is the difference between well-sorted and poorly-sorted sediment?

Well-sorted sediment has particles of about the same size, while poorly-sorted sediment has a combination of different sizes.

Which type of sediment is better for holding water?

Well-sorted sediment has higher porosity.

How does sediment size affect porosity and permeability?

Larger sediment generally has higher porosity and permeability.

What is erosion?

Erosion is the process that moves sediment.

What are other natural elements that can erode rock besides water?

Ice and living things.

What does rock break down into?

Smaller sediments.

Where is water moving the fastest in a straight channel?

In the center of the channel.

Where is water moving the fastest in a curved channel?

On the outside of the bend.

What happens to the shape of the river over time?

It will curve.

What is an oxbow lake?

A C-shaped lake that forms when a bend in a river is cut off from the main channel.

How is elevation related to the speed of water?

The steeper the elevation, the faster the water flows.

How is the speed of water related to the rate of erosion?

The higher the speed of water, the greater the rate of erosion.

what is erosion

moves the sediment

what is deposition

dropping off sediment

if you had a choice would you rather live in a cut bank or a depostional bank and why

depositional cause they are more stable and less prone to erosion