17: Groundwater
- Page ID
- 29169
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- Explain the concepts of porosity and permeability and the importance of these to groundwater storage and movement.
- Describe the relative porosities and permeabilities of some common geological materials.
- Define aquifers, aquitards, confining layers, and the differences between confined and unconfined aquifers.
- Explain the concepts of hydraulic head, the water table, potentiometric surface, and hydraulic gradient, and apply the Darcy equation to estimation of groundwater flow rates.
- Describe the flow of groundwater from recharge areas to discharge areas.
- Describe the nature of groundwater flow in karst systems.
- Explain how wells are used to extract groundwater and the implications of over-pumping a well.
- Describe how observation wells are used to monitor groundwater levels and the importance of protecting groundwater resources.
- Distinguish between natural and anthropogenic contamination of groundwater.
- Describe some of the ways that groundwater can become contaminated, and how contamination can be minimized.
- 17.1: Groundwater and Aquifers
- This page explains groundwater characteristics, emphasizing its presence in rocks and sediments, particularly within the first 100 meters. It defines porosity and permeability, noting how they differ across materials, with unconsolidated sediments generally having higher porosity. Key insights include the role of aquifers in facilitating water movement versus aquitards that restrict it.
- 17.2: Groundwater Flow
- This page covers groundwater dynamics, detailing the unsaturated and saturated zones, water tables, and aquifers. It describes how precipitation infiltrates, moving from recharge to discharge areas influenced by gravity and pressure. Key topics include confined aquifers, potentiometric surfaces, artesian wells, and Darcy's law for estimating groundwater flow.
- 17.3: Groundwater Extraction
- This page covers groundwater extraction, emphasizing the need for properly constructed wells and monitoring systems due to the effects of pumping on water levels. It highlights the 2016 Water Sustainability Act in British Columbia for regulating groundwater use and contrasts it with California's groundwater management efforts during a severe drought from 2013 to 2015.
- 17.4: Groundwater Quality
- This page addresses groundwater contamination from both natural and human sources, including harmful elements from geological materials and pollution from agriculture and waste disposal. It highlights the risks associated with landfills, industrial operations, mining, and septic systems, while emphasizing the importance of strong regulations and responsible management practices.
- 17.5: Chapter 17 Summary
- This page provides an overview of groundwater and aquifers, explaining essential concepts such as porosity, permeability, and the differences between confined and unconfined aquifers. It details groundwater flow dynamics, including the water table, hydraulic gradient, and Darcy's law.