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Ground Water

Groundwater Terminology, Concepts, and Facts

Key Terms

  • Aquifer: A geological formation that can store and transmit significant quantities of water.
  • Water Table: The upper surface of the saturated zone in an aquifer.
  • Recharge: The process of replenishing groundwater through precipitation or other sources.
  • Discharge: The process of groundwater flowing out of an aquifer, typically into surface water bodies or through wells.
  • Hydraulic Gradient: The slope of the water table.
  • Darcy's Law: A law that describes the flow of groundwater through porous media.
  • Permeability: The ability of a material to transmit water.
  • Porosity: The amount of void space in a material.

Concepts

  • Groundwater Flow: Groundwater moves from areas of higher hydraulic head to areas of lower hydraulic head.
  • Groundwater Contamination: The introduction of pollutants into groundwater.
  • Groundwater Depletion: The excessive extraction of groundwater, leading to a decline in water table levels.
  • Saltwater Intrusion: The movement of saltwater into freshwater aquifers, often due to over-extraction.
  • Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems: Ecosystems that rely on groundwater for their survival, such as wetlands and forests.

Facts

  • Groundwater is a significant source of freshwater: It supplies billions of people with drinking water and is essential for agriculture and industry.
  • Groundwater is a slow-moving resource: It can take decades or even centuries for groundwater to recharge.
  • Groundwater is vulnerable to pollution: Contaminants can seep into aquifers from surface sources, such as landfills and agricultural fields.
  • Groundwater depletion is a global problem: Over-extraction of groundwater has led to water shortages and land subsidence in many parts of the world.
  • Sustainable groundwater management is crucial: Effective management practices can help ensure that groundwater resources are used wisely and protected from pollution.

Comments

  1. Core LaboratoryOctober 24, 2024 at 2:45 AM

    The preservation of coastal and marine resources for future generations is largely dependent on their sustainability, which raises the areas' social, economic, and environmental worth. In addition to the contributions of other sectors including history, marine habitats, and protected areas, these include tourism, transportation, oil and gas development, and commercial purposes (corelab.org).

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