Discuss the different aspects of groundwater storage and movement below the surface. Include the ways in which groundwater comes to the surface on its own, and is drawn to the surface by humans, along with the consequences
What will be an ideal response?
Precipitation is the main source of groundwater, percolating downward as gravitational water from the soil moisture zone, moving through the zone of aeration and, eventually, accumulating in the zone of saturation. The upper limit of the zone of saturation is the water table.
An aquifer is a subsurface layer of permeable rock or unconsolidated materials through which groundwater can flow. The two types are confined (bounded by impermeable layers above and below) and unconfined (bounded by permeable surface only below).
Humans extract groundwater from aquifers via wells. In unconfined aquifers, the water is not under pressure and must be pumped. In confined aquifers, the water is under pressure and may rise under its own pressure to the potentiometric surface.
Overconsumption of groundwater can lead to the lowering of the water table (drawdown) and a cone of depression. When water is used beyond the flow and recharge capacities of an aquifer, groundwater mining occurs.
You might also like to view...
An area that experiences a high rate of erosion, such as a near shore cliff, will have which type of sediments in the
surrounding waters? a. well-sorted sediments b. poorly-sorted sediments c. one size of sediment d. mostly gravel sediment e. mostly clay sediment
If surface pressure readings were plotted on weather maps, they would give a false representation of the atmosphere because
A) high elevations have higher surface pressures than low elevations, even if the sea-level pressures are the same B) high elevations have lower surface pressures than low elevations, even if the sea-level pressures are the same C) the surface pressure at high elevations is often greater than sea-level pressure D) the surface pressure at high elevations is often the same as sea-level pressure
In the cumulus stage of an ordinary single-cell thunderstorm
A) warm air near the ground rises at the moist adiabatic lapse rate. B) moist air rushes upward, forming the updraft. C) entrainment is not yet occurring. D) hail formation is most prevalent. E) thunder and lightning are common.
Santa Clara County and the City of San Jose are centers of what industry?
A) Oil refining B) High technology C) Ranching D) Tourism