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Groundwater Resources
Groundwater, pollution/overuse, and caves vocabulary
31
Science
6th Grade
01/23/2006

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Term
Ground Water
Definition
"fresh water contained in the open spaces of soil and rock; one of Earth's most important resources for drinking, irrigation, and washing"
Term
Surface Water
Definition
"any body of fresh water found on the surface of the earth like lakes, ponds, creeks, rivers, etc."
Term
Pore Space
Definition
"any air pocket or hole found in between rocks, or soil , or fragments of broken rock. Pore size varies between almost microscopic to extremely large."
Term
Porosity
Definition
a measurement of the volume of pore space divided by the volume of a rock or soil sample. (how much space is in a sample)
Term
Permeable / Permeability
Definition
describes rock that allows groundwater to flow through it because it contains many well-connected pores or cracks. Has levels of permeability from low to high
Term
Impermeable / Impermeability
Definition
type of rock or soil that does not allow water to pass through
Term
Impermeability
Definition
type of rock or soil that does not allow water to pass through
Term
Aquifer
Definition
permeable rock layer or sediment through which water flows freely; acts as a groundwater reservoir.
Term
Aquitard
Definition
a layer of rock or soil that has no cracks or fractures and that therefore does not allow water to flow thru.
Term
Zone of Saturation
Definition
"in an aquifer, the zone where the pores are full of water."
Term
Zone of Aeration
Definition
the area above the water table line in which the pores are open and full of air.
Term
Watershed / Drainage basin
Definition
area of land that drains water from higher land to lower land and then into a stream / creek / or river.
Term
Water Table
Definition
top surface of the zone of saturation; also the surface of lakes and rivers.
Term
Spring
Definition
anywhere the water table meets the Earth’s surface and water flows out onto the ground. Most commonly seen on hillsides
Term
Artesian Well
Definition
"well drilled into a pressurized aquifer that supplies freshwater, usually without pumping."
Term
Geyser
Definition
hot spring that erupts periodically and shoots water and steam into the air
Term
Pollution
Definition
any change or contamination of the environment by introducing something that is harmful to organisms. There are 2 types of pollution
Term
Point source pollution
Definition
refers to a direct place or spot where contaminates enter the ground or surface water. The source of pollution is easily found.
Term
Non-point source pollution
Definition
occurs over a much larger area and is difficult to track down the exact source of the contaminate.
Term
Sanitary landfill
Definition
"landfill lined with plastic or concrete, or located in clay-rich soil; reduces the chance of hazardous wastes leaking into the surrounding soil and groundwater."
Term
Hazardous Waste
Definition
Waste products that contain materials that may be harmful to living things; also called toxic wastes
Term
Bioremediation
Definition
process that uses living organisms to remove pollutants.
Term
Subsidence
Definition
occurs when water no longer fills the pores in an aquifer and the land above the aquifer sinks
Term
Cave
Definition
underground chamber that opens to the surface and is formed when slightly acidic groundwater dissolves compounds in rock
Term
Spelunking
Definition
The hobby of cave exploration. People that enjoy this sport are called spelunkers
Term
Dripstone
Definition
"deposits of calcium carbonate ( limestone), such as stalagmites and stalactites, that are left behind when groundwater drips and evaporates inside caves"
Term
Stalagmites
Definition
caused by water dripping down from the cave ceiling and the mineral deposits begin to pile up on the floor. Stalagmites might grow up!
Term
Stalactites
Definition
"a cave formation made from mineral deposits that hangs down from the ceiling in a cave. Originally formed as a “soda straw” and when the straw gets plugged, water trickles down the outside of the straw increasing its size. Stalagtites hold on tight!"
Term
Columns
Definition
"are formed when a stalagmite and a stalactite join together to create one continuous ""column"" of rock"
Term
Sinkholes
Definition
depression formed when a cave's roof is no longer able to support the land above it and the land collapses into the cave.
Term
Karst Topography
Definition
"an area of land that contains numerous sinkholes, depressions and or caves. Occurs where rainfall is abundant and so is the limestone. ( Texas Hill Country!)"
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