Week 7: Hydrogeology and Surface-Ground Water Interaction

Question 1

Aquifer

Answer 1

A body of permeable rock which can contain or transmit groundwater.

Question 2

Aquiclude

Answer 2

A zone within the earth that is completely impermeable to water. Prevents water from moving between aquifers. Often the upper or lower boundary of a groundwater flow system.

Question 3

Aquitard

Answer 3

A zone within the earth that restricts the flow of groundwater from one aquifer to another. Low permeability and slow transfer of water.

Question 4

Confined vs unconfined

Answer 4

Confined aquifers have an impermeable rock/dirt layer above them that prevents seepage from the ground surface.
Unconfined aquifers have no confining beds between the surface and zone of saturation. There will be a water table in an unconfined aquifer.

Question 5

Seepage

Answer 5

The slow escape of a liquid through porous material.

Question 6

Salt Water Intrusion

Answer 6

The movement of saline water into freshwater aquifers. Can lead to the contamination of drinking water sources.

Question 7

Artesian

Answer 7

A low-lying district where groundwater is confined under pressure from surrounding rock. Extraction requires little to no pumping.

Question 8

Wetland

-3H’s

Answer 8

Land consisting of marshes or swamps; saturated land. Where water is the key ingredient in each of the three characteristics:
• Hydrology: water is present at or just below the surface year-round.
• Hydric soils: soil types formed as a result of frequent presence of water, with anaerobic conditions at the root zone.
• Hydrophytes: plants that tolerate flooded conditions.

Question 9

Groundwater-dependent ecosystem (GDE)

Answer 9

An ecosystem dependant on groundwater.