Term
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Definition
| "fresh water contained in the open spaces of soil and rock; one of Earth's most important resources for drinking, irrigation, and washing" |
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Term
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Definition
| "any body of fresh water found on the surface of the earth like lakes, ponds, creeks, rivers, etc." |
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| "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." |
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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) |
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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 |
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Term
| Impermeable / Impermeability |
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Definition
| type of rock or soil that does not allow water to pass through |
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Term
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Definition
| type of rock or soil that does not allow water to pass through |
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Definition
| permeable rock layer or sediment through which water flows freely; acts as a groundwater reservoir. |
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Definition
| a layer of rock or soil that has no cracks or fractures and that therefore does not allow water to flow thru. |
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Term
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Definition
| "in an aquifer, the zone where the pores are full of water." |
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Term
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Definition
| the area above the water table line in which the pores are open and full of air. |
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Term
| Watershed / Drainage basin |
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Definition
| area of land that drains water from higher land to lower land and then into a stream / creek / or river. |
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Definition
| top surface of the zone of saturation; also the surface of lakes and rivers. |
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Definition
| anywhere the water table meets the Earth’s surface and water flows out onto the ground. Most commonly seen on hillsides |
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Term
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Definition
| "well drilled into a pressurized aquifer that supplies freshwater, usually without pumping." |
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Term
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Definition
| hot spring that erupts periodically and shoots water and steam into the air |
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Term
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Definition
| any change or contamination of the environment by introducing something that is harmful to organisms. There are 2 types of pollution |
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Term
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Definition
| refers to a direct place or spot where contaminates enter the ground or surface water. The source of pollution is easily found. |
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| Non-point source pollution |
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Definition
| occurs over a much larger area and is difficult to track down the exact source of the contaminate. |
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Term
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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." |
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Term
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Definition
| Waste products that contain materials that may be harmful to living things; also called toxic wastes |
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Definition
| process that uses living organisms to remove pollutants. |
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Term
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Definition
| occurs when water no longer fills the pores in an aquifer and the land above the aquifer sinks |
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Term
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Definition
| underground chamber that opens to the surface and is formed when slightly acidic groundwater dissolves compounds in rock |
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Definition
| The hobby of cave exploration. People that enjoy this sport are called spelunkers |
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Term
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Definition
| "deposits of calcium carbonate ( limestone), such as stalagmites and stalactites, that are left behind when groundwater drips and evaporates inside caves" |
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Term
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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! |
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Term
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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!" |
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Term
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Definition
| "are formed when a stalagmite and a stalactite join together to create one continuous ""column"" of rock" |
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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. |
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Term
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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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