GEOL 103 Study Guide - Comprehensive Final Guide: Radioactive Waste, Parent Material, Heat Capacity
Document Summary
Overuse: climate change, melting of glaciers, subsurface waters. Groundwater: majority of accessible fresh water is beneath the earth"s surface, about 10% of precipitation will infiltrate through soil and rock to become groundwater, permeable rock containing the zone of saturation is an aquifer. Porosity: percent of the total volume that is open space, affected by the size and shape of particles, increased by fracturing or dissolution, decreased by compaction and cementation, well sorted sediments have higher porosity than poorly sorted sediments. Groundwater problems: several issues of groundwater problems, loss of recharge, human activity can destroy and aquifer, buildings, asphalt and concrete serve as an impermeable cover and reduce recharge, discharge problems, groundwater pollution, withdrawal problems, land subsidence. The lowering of ground elevation can be caused by excess water removal. Occurs where groundwater depletion causes the water table to drop: the overlaying land tends to sink, which destabilizes roads and other structures, saltwater intrusion i ii.
