Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes the term 'groundwater'?
Which of the following best describes the term 'groundwater'?
- Water found on the surface of the Earth, such as in rivers and lakes.
- All water located below the Earth's surface within the saturated zone. (correct)
- Atmospheric moisture that condenses and falls as precipitation.
- Water that is chemically bound within the crystal structure of certain minerals.
Connate waters are a reliable and sustainable source of exploitable groundwater.
Connate waters are a reliable and sustainable source of exploitable groundwater.
False (B)
What is meteoric water, in the context of groundwater origin?
What is meteoric water, in the context of groundwater origin?
Precipitation that infiltrates and percolates into the soil.
The term hydrogeology refers to the nature, distribution, and movement of groundwater in soils and rocks, including in ______.
The term hydrogeology refers to the nature, distribution, and movement of groundwater in soils and rocks, including in ______.
Match the following types of water with their origin:
Match the following types of water with their origin:
Which of the following is NOT a typical use of groundwater?
Which of the following is NOT a typical use of groundwater?
Groundwater contamination poses no threat to human health as it is naturally filtered by the earth.
Groundwater contamination poses no threat to human health as it is naturally filtered by the earth.
Name two man-made products that can cause groundwater contamination.
Name two man-made products that can cause groundwater contamination.
Excessive pumping of groundwater can lead to the ______ of the water table.
Excessive pumping of groundwater can lead to the ______ of the water table.
Match the threat to groundwater with its consequence:
Match the threat to groundwater with its consequence:
Approximately what percentage of the rural population in the US relies on groundwater for drinking water?
Approximately what percentage of the rural population in the US relies on groundwater for drinking water?
The volume of modern groundwater is negligible compared to surface water resources.
The volume of modern groundwater is negligible compared to surface water resources.
Name two ways groundwater impacts structural stability.
Name two ways groundwater impacts structural stability.
One way civil engineers address groundwater-related problems is by preventing ______ formation through soil stabilization.
One way civil engineers address groundwater-related problems is by preventing ______ formation through soil stabilization.
Match the action with the correct way to protect groundwater:
Match the action with the correct way to protect groundwater:
Flashcards
Groundwater
Groundwater
Water beneath the Earth's surface within a permanently saturated zone.
Hydrogeology
Hydrogeology
The study of the nature, distribution, and movement of groundwater in soils and rocks.
Meteoric water
Meteoric water
Precipitation that infiltrates through the soil and percolates downward.
Connate waters
Connate waters
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Fossil water
Fossil water
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Juvenile Water
Juvenile Water
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Source of recharge
Source of recharge
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Groundwater contamination
Groundwater contamination
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Groundwater Overuse and Depletion
Groundwater Overuse and Depletion
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Land Subsidence
Land Subsidence
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Water Quality Concerns
Water Quality Concerns
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Groundwater Importance
Groundwater Importance
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Groundwater impact to Civil Engineering
Groundwater impact to Civil Engineering
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Protect Groundwater
Protect Groundwater
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Study Notes
- Groundwater refers to all water below the Earth's surface within the permanently saturated zone.
- A groundwater body is a distinct volume of groundwater within an aquifer.
- Hydrogeology is the study of the nature, distribution, and movement of groundwater in soils and rocks, specifically in aquifers.
Origin of Groundwater
- Meteoric water originates from precipitation, like rainfall or snow, which infiltrates through the soil and percolates downward.
- Connate waters are trapped in marine sediments during their time of deposition within sedimentary rocks.
- Connate waters are saline, so they are not used as a source of exploitable groundwater.
- Fossil water refers to underground water reservoirs that have been geologically sealed.
- Juvenile water is magmatic water found in the cracks or crevices of rocks due to condensation of steam emanating from hot molten masses.
- Hot springs and geysers are types of juvenile water.
Uses of Groundwater
- Irrigation purposes
- To supply water to the public
- Groundwater is a source of recharge for lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
Threats to Groundwater
- Groundwater contamination can occur when man-made products, such as gasoline, oil, road salts, and chemicals, enter the groundwater, making it unsafe for human use.
- Overuse and depletion can lower the water table.
- Excessive pumping can cause wells to no longer reach groundwater.
- Overuse and depletion lead to increased costs, as the water table lowers, requiring more energy to pump water to the surface.
- Overuse and depletion will reduce surface water supplies because lakes, streams, and rivers connected to groundwater can have their supply diminished.
- Removing water can cause Land subsidence, which happens when there is a loss of support below ground.
- Overuse and depletion leads to Water quality concerns because excessive pumping in coastal areas can cause saltwater to move inland and upward.
General Importance
- Groundwater is a drinking water source for over 90% of the rural population in the US.
- Groundwater is used for irrigation processes.
- Groundwater comprises 99% of all the freshwater in the world.
- The volume of modern groundwater is equivalent to a layer of water about 3 meters deep spread across all the continents.
Connection to Civil Engineering
- Groundwater impacts the Structural Stability of Buildings and Foundation systems.
- Capillary Rise of groundwater
- Groundwater contribute to Flooding, which reduce strength of soil
- Sinkhole formation can occur
- Slope Instability can occur
Ways to Protect Groundwater
- Go Native
- Reduce Chemical Use
- Manage Waste
- Do not let run off water flow
- Fix any driping issues with watering
- Wash Smarter
- Water Wisely
- Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
- Use Natural Alternatives
- Learn and Do More to help
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