ES 16.1 Groundwater

Front

What is an aquifer?

Back

An aquifer is a body of rock that can store and transmit water.

Front

What is the water table?

Back

The water table is the upper surface of the zone of saturation, where the ground is saturated with water.

Front

What is a recharge zone?

Back

A recharge zone is an area where water from the Earth's surface can enter an aquifer.

Front

What is a perched water table?

Back

A perched water table is a localized zone of saturation that occurs above the main water table due to an impermeable barrier.

Front

What are some sources of groundwater contamination?

Back

Groundwater can be contaminated by fertilizers, pesticides, leaking sewage systems, underground storage tanks, and saltwater intrusion.

Front

What is the zone of aeration?

Back

The zone of aeration is the area above the water table where soil and rock are not saturated with water.

Front

What is the zone of saturation?

Back

The zone of saturation is the area below the water table where all the spaces between soil and rock are filled with water.

Front

What is an impermeable layer?

Back

An impermeable layer is a layer of rock or soil that does not allow water to pass through.

Front

How does groundwater flow?

Back

Groundwater flows from areas of higher pressure to areas of lower pressure, often influenced by gravity.

Front

What is capillary fringe?

Back

The capillary fringe is the layer of soil above the water table where water is held by capillary action.