Aquifer
A body of rock or sediment that
stores groundwater and allows the
flow of groundwater
Factors That Affect Groundwater
Movement
Porosity
The amount of open spaces in rock or
sediment
Permeability
The ability of a rock or sediment to
let water pass through its pores and
open spaces
Parts of an Aquifer
Zone of Aeration
The zone that lies between the water
table and the Earth’s surface
Water Table
The upper surface of underground
water – the top of the zone of
saturation
Zone of Saturation
The layer of an aquifer where the
pore space is completely filled with
water
Permeable Layer
Porous materials from which ground
water can be extracted using a water
well
Impermeable Layer
Dense material like clay or shale that
stops groundwater from infiltrating
further downward
Confined
Aquifer which has an impermeable
dirt/rock layer that prevents water from
seeping into the aquifer from the
ground surface
Unconfined
Aquifer where water seeps from the
ground surface directly above the
aquifer
Confined and unconfined aquifers
Well, IT’S DEEP!
Draw and color a diagram of an aquifer, include and label the following: Zone of Aeration,
Zone of Saturation, Water Table, Lake or stream, Well, Confined aquifer, Unconfined aquifer,
Permeable Layer, and Impermeable Layer.
Analysis:
1. How can you tell where the water table is?
2. What do you notice about the level of the water in the well and the water table?
3. Why must the well be deeper than the water table?
4. What would happen to a basement built below the water table?
5. How does pollution of the surface of the land affect a well?
6. What property of water allows it to become polluted?
7. Why is clean water in wells important to the
people in Utah?
Conclusion: 2 things you learned: