Midterm part 2

Question 1

Fluid flow in geologic materials depends on (3):

Answer 1

Properties of the aquifer, properties of the water, driving force (gradient)

Question 2

What is an aquifer?

Answer 2

A body of rock or sediment that is capable of storing and transporting large volumes of water to a well, spring, or other discharge area

Question 3

Unconfined aquifer

Answer 3

Aquifer with no confining bed of material between the saturated zone and the land surface

Question 4

Water table

Answer 4

The surface of the unconfined layer (the top of the saturated zone I assume)

Question 5

Confined aquifer

Answer 5

Aquifer that is overlain by a confining bed of geologic material, can be pressurized

Question 6

Permeability

Answer 6

The measure of the ability of a material to transmit fluids through it

Question 7

Aquitard

Answer 7

Geologic material with a relatively low permeability that yields low amounts of groundwater. ex: clay and bedrock

Question 8

Aquiclude

Answer 8

An impermeable geologic material that prevents groundwater movement. ex. highly compacted clays and bedrock

Question 9

Descriptors for area above water table (4)

Answer 9

Vadose zone, unsaturated, aeration, variably saturated

Question 10

Descriptors for area below water table (3)

Answer 10

Groundwater, saturated, aquifer