Groundwater: Difference between revisions
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'''Groundwater''' is [[water]] which occurs below the solid surface of the [[earth]]. The term | '''Groundwater''' is [[water]] which occurs below the solid surface of the [[earth]]. The term ''groundwater'' usually refers to as subsurface water which occurs in fully [[saturation|saturated]] soil, sediments and rock formations, but may also include water occurring in partially-saturated formations. | ||
[[Soil]] and [[Rock (geology)|rock]] formations contain void spaces, as pores between individual soil or sediment particles or fractures in rocks, which water can enter and move through. The body of rock or sediment bearing groundwater is called [[aquifer]]. Water can enter the aquifer from neighboring saturated aquifers, from infiltration from surface water flow and precipitation, and from deliberate groundwater recharge. | [[Soil]] and [[Rock (geology)|rock]] formations contain void spaces, as pores between individual soil or sediment particles or fractures in rocks, which water can enter and move through. The body of rock or sediment bearing groundwater is called [[aquifer]]. Water can enter the aquifer from neighboring saturated aquifers, from infiltration from surface water flow and precipitation, and from deliberate groundwater recharge. | ||
Naturally-occurring groundwater is about 4% of the total water on the | Naturally-occurring groundwater is about 4% of the total water on the earth, and is about two-thirds of the total [[fresh water]] in the world.<ref>{{cite paper|author=Nace, R. L.|title=Scientific framework of world water balance|publication=Technical papers in hydrology|publisher=UNESCO|date=1971|format=pdf|accessdate=2007-10-09|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0007/000730/073095eo.pdf}}</ref> As a result, it is an important resource for drinking and irrigation in many areas of the world. Depletion of groundwater at faster rates than natural recharge, and pollution of groundwater resources are significant concerns around the world. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
Revision as of 17:04, 17 October 2007
Groundwater is water which occurs below the solid surface of the earth. The term groundwater usually refers to as subsurface water which occurs in fully saturated soil, sediments and rock formations, but may also include water occurring in partially-saturated formations.
Soil and rock formations contain void spaces, as pores between individual soil or sediment particles or fractures in rocks, which water can enter and move through. The body of rock or sediment bearing groundwater is called aquifer. Water can enter the aquifer from neighboring saturated aquifers, from infiltration from surface water flow and precipitation, and from deliberate groundwater recharge.
Naturally-occurring groundwater is about 4% of the total water on the earth, and is about two-thirds of the total fresh water in the world.[1] As a result, it is an important resource for drinking and irrigation in many areas of the world. Depletion of groundwater at faster rates than natural recharge, and pollution of groundwater resources are significant concerns around the world.
References
- ↑ Nace, R. L. (1971). Scientific framework of world water balance (pdf). UNESCO. Retrieved on 2007-10-09.