Groundwater
Introduction
-Groundwater is that part of the surface water which fully saturates the pores of
rock or its overburden and which behaves in response to gravitational force.
-Water drawn downward by gravity through the soil zone becomes part of the
groundwater body.
-Groundwater in the zone of saturation moves under the force of gravity and
therefore its upper surface (water table) tends to be horizontal. Because of slow
movement water table maintains a sloping surface.
Porosity and permeability(1/4)
-Groundwater can saturate a geat variety of geological material. Porosity of the rock
determines the amount of water that can be contained within a given volume of rock.
-Porosity = 100X(Vv/Vo)
-Most porous rocks are sandstone, conglomerate, limestone and scoracious lava
(primary porosity).
Porosity and Permeability(2/4)
-Fractures, joints, faults offer a large number of interconnected
openings in which water can be stored (secondary porosity) and
move.
-Permeability is a measure of the ease with which water may be
forced throth the rock.
Porosity and Permeability(3/4)
-Pore spaces may not offer free passage if each pore is sealed off from its neighbour
by mineral matter.
-Thus high porosity does not necessarily imply high permeability.
-Degree of interconnection is important in determing permeability. Size of openings
exert a strong influence upon rate of flow.
Porosity and Permeability(4/4)
-Highly permeable materials include course sands and gravel.
-Impermeable material include clay.
-Jointing, fractures influence permeability.
Aquifers(1/2)
-Sandstone (porous and permeable) sandwitched between shale may provide large groundwater storage
through which water may move easily – such zones are referred to as aquifers.
-Zones which prevents flow – in this case shale is an [Link] have confined and unconfined aquifers.
Thin beds of shale or clay may effectively block the downward percolation of water to the main water
table below. This create a perched water table separated from the main water table
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Aquifers(2/2)
Artesian well(1/3)
Where strata are inclined a favourable situation may exist for
developing an artesian well. This is a well in which water flows
upwards towards the surface through its own pressure. The height
to which the water will rise depends on distance of recharge area,
height of that area above the well head and the permeability of
the aquifer.
Artesian well(2/3)
Artesian well(3/3)
Aquifer recharge(1/2)
It is important to know how aquifers are
recharged. This is mainly from the adjacent
highland areas. Withdrawal has to be in
harmony with recharge.
Aquifer recharge(2/2)
Risks of overpumping
-Excessive withdrawal from aquifer over recharge may lead to compaction and
permanent destruction of aquifer.
-Water in the pores suport load, when removed collapse may occur. – For these
reasons we have conservation areas
Groundwater pollusion
-Most vulnerable to pollution are unconfined aquifers.
-Pollution arise from the effects of sewage,fertilizers, industrial waste, acid rain
-If water travels some distance it gets purified through:
Mechanical filtering out of bacteria
Oxidation
Destruction of bacteria by other organisms
Purification goes on in the zone of aeration and zone of saturation
Salt water intrusion(1/6)
-Since fresh water is less dense than salt water, fresh water will float on sea water
-Density relationship establishes the elevation of fresh water surface above sea level.
-Lowering of fresh water level through ground water withdrawal causes a corresponding rise
in salt water level.
-If salt water level rises to the well groundwater quality deteroriates and water supply is lost
Saltwater intrusion(2/6)
Saltwater intrusion(3/6)
Saltwater intrusion(4/6)
Saltwater intrusion(5/6)
Saltwater intrusion(6/6)
Perched aquifer risk(1/3)
-Discontinous bodies of permeable and impermeable material result in variation
in yields in wells.
-We have also perched water bodies occupying basins in impermeable material.
-We may have perched aquifers in higher positions than the main water table.
Perched aquifer risks(2/3)
Perched aquifer risk(3/3)
The impermeable layer catches and holds the water reaching it from above
Risks: may be destroyed
May be mistaken for real aquifer.
Underground erosion
Subterranrean erosion may be caused by:
Eating away of loose materials into faults.
Dissolution of chemicals of rocks e.g limestone (gives rise to carvens, sinkholes, ground collapse and
susidence)
Groundwater Exploration
Methods used:
Geology and hydrogeology
Electrical resistivity methods (most used in Kenya)
Seismic refraction methods
Use of some type of vegetation(trees) as indicators
………
Groundwater management
issues(1/2)
Transnational aquifers and sharing of resource.
Separation distance between boreholes
How to monitor and control that pumping rates are not exceeded –overpumping risks.
Threats of owners increasing depths of their boreholes
Proximity of boreholes close to sewage systems for water table aquifers.
Risks of aquifer pollution from industries, dampsites or landfills.
Problems of hard water.
Groundwater management issues
Increased reliance on groundwater.
Surface sources highly polluted.
Managed aquifer Recharge (the future)
Groundwater management issues
Increased reliance on groundwater.
Surface sources highly polluted.
Managed aquifer Recharge (the future)
Groundwater management issues
Increased reliance on groundwater.
Surface sources highly polluted.
Managed aquifer Recharge (the future)
