Term | Meaning |
aquifers | an underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock, sand, or gravel. the upper boundary of the topmost(open) aquifer is known as the water table. When a water-bearing rock readily transmits water to wells and springs, it is called an aquifer. |
water table | The upper limit of abundant groundwater |
riparian | the area of land connected with or immediately adjacent to the banks of a stream. the varieties of plants found in the riparion zone. |
wells | provides a reliable and ample supply of water for home uses, irrigation, and industries. |
water cycle | refers to the change of states between liquid, solid, and gas. It may be divided into four main phases: evaporation, precipitation, infriltration and runoff. Infiltration into the ground is the transition from surface water to groundwater. |
groundwater | any water found below the land surface. Groundwater flows to the surface naturally at springs and seeps, and can form oases or swamps. may be tapped artificially by digging wells. |
wet lands | Transition zone/ dry land and water, saturation with water is dominant factor. |
water table | the upper boundary of the topmost aquifer. |
artesian well | a well that taps groundwater under sufficient pressure to create a natural flow to the surface. |
porosity | the amount of space or pores within soil or rock, relative to the total volume of that substance. |
confined aquifer | groundwater capped with an impervious layer |
permeability | to penetrate throught openings; soak through |
moss | nonvascular plant with a stem, small overlapping leaves, and rhizoids;it reproduces by spores |
osmosis | diffusion of water through a membrane;the overall direction of movement is controlled by concentrations of solutions on either side of the membrane |
transpiration | process of losing water vapor through the stomata of a leaf |
depletion | occurs when water is used faster than it can be replaced; can cause a shortage |
biodegradable | capable of being broken down by living things like microorganisms and bacteria |
fertilizer | any chemical used to improve soil and promote plant growth |
overuse | using more than mecessary; wasteful |
runoff | water that does not become absorbed by the earth but flows across the surface of the land into a stream or lake |
storage tank | container that stores potentially hazardous chaemicals above or below ground |
seepage | to leak from |
recharge | to increase the amount of groundwater through precipitation or surface water that absorbs into the aquifer, also called infiltration; plus its all in the hips |