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Groundwater. Chapter 10 Notes. Hydrosphere. Oceans (97%) Polar ice caps/glaciers (2.15%) Groundwater (0.31%) Lakes (0.009%) Atmosphere (0.001%) Rivers and streams (0.0001%). Groundwater. All water on land comes from the ocean, through evaporation and precipitation.
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Groundwater Chapter 10 Notes
Hydrosphere • Oceans (97%) • Polar ice caps/glaciers (2.15%) • Groundwater (0.31%) • Lakes (0.009%) • Atmosphere (0.001%) • Rivers and streams (0.0001%)
Groundwater • All water on land comes from the ocean, through evaporation and precipitation. • Infiltration: precipitation that trickles into the ground to become groundwater
Porosity • Water is stored in pore spaces in the ground • The percentage of pore spaces in a rock or sediment is the porosity • Can vary from 2% to 50%
Permeability • The ability of water to move through sediment and rock is called permeability • Aquifers are permeable rock layers that allow groundwater to flow through them • A layer that is impermeable to ground water is an aquiclude
Springs Emergence of springs Hot springs/geysers • Groundwater emerges wherever the water table intersects Earth’s surface • Springs tend to form where an aquifer and an aquiclude are in contact • Most often occur on a slope or hillside
Cave Formation • A cave is a natural underground opening with a connection to the surface • Most caves form in limestone bedrock when limestone is dissolved by groundwater: CO2 + H2O H2CO3 • Carbonic acid reacts with limestone to produce soluble ions
Groundwater Deposits • Calcite in ground water precipitates to form new mineral deposits (stalactites, stalagmites, etc.)
Wells • Wells are used to draw water out of an aquifer • Overpumping lowers the water table and creates a cone of depression
Artesian Wells • Artesian wells produce water under pressure due to recharge at a higher elevation
Threats to our Water Supply • Overuse: groundwater supplies can be depleted if pumped faster than the recharge rate (Ogallala Aquifer) • Subsidence: sinking of ground elevation when water table drops • Pollution (next slide)
Pollution • Chemicals, sewage, salt, radon