ECONOM 1051 Lecture : Chapter 17.docx
Document Summary
Chapter 17: groundwater: groundwater is water found in the pores of soil and sediment, plus narrow fractures in bedrock. Why is it important: it is the largest reservoir of fresh water that is readily available to humans, geological role: as an erosional agent, dissolving groundwater produces sinkholes and caverns, groundwater serves as an equalizer of streamflow. The law was formulated by henry darcy based on the results of experiments on the flow of water through beds of sand. Aquitards and aquifers: aquitards are materials with very small pore spaces like clay, whereas aquifers consist of materials with larger pore spaces like soil. Ogallala aquifer is largest in usa, young, tertiary): springs- occur whenever water table intersects land surface natural flow of groundwater results. Hot springs= water is 6-9 degrees celsius warmer than the mean annual air temperature of the locality. Intermittent hot springs; water erupts with great force. Often where extensive underground chambers exist within hot igneous rock.
