Groundwater

Hydrologic Cycle: Precipitation, Runoff, Infiltration, Evaporation, Transpiration

Controls on infiltration (recharge): rainfall, gradient, rock type - aquifers and aquitards, porosity, permeability, vegetation, human factors

Distribution: zone of aeration, water table, zone of saturation

Local features: influent stream, effluent stream, perched water table, spring, artesian wells, caves/sinkholes/karst topography, hot spring, geyser

Problems: drawdown and cone of depression around a well, subsidence, saltwater incursion, pollution
 

Describe the hydrologic cycle. Include a sketch

Describe the factors that control the depth to the water table. Define the water table. How is this different from a perched water table?

What is an artesian well? What conditions are required for its formation?

Define the term spring. How is this different from a stream? How do springs relate to the water table? How do they relate to a perched water table?

How does an influent stream differ from an effluent stream? How is each related to the water table and climate?

Describe three potential problems associated with groundwater.

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