Groundwater Flashcards
Groundwater
Subsurface water present in the saturated zone.
Unsaturated zone
Places in the ground not completely full of water (above saturated zone)
Saturated zone
Pores in the ground completely saturated of water.
Water table
Zone between saturated and unsaturated zone.
Aquifer
Rock or sediment bodies that absorb and transmit water very effectively.
Aquicludes
Rock or sediment bodies that absorb and transmit water very poorly.
Best aquifers.
Sandstone, limestone for rock. Sands and gravels for sediment (sediment ones compose most of Michigan)
Groundwater flow
Necessary to be aware of when evaluating for pollution.
Major sources of groundwater contamination.
Leaking septic systems, lining of landfill foundation, leaking gasoline tank, arsenic (natural) in Marshall sandstone.
