Download Ground Water Zones

11: Ground Water
Hydrogeology:
The study of
ground-water/earth-material
interactions
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Geology controls ground-water recharge, flow,
discharge and availability
Ground water acts as a geologic agent:
Weathering, dissolution, volcanism,
metamorphism, slope stability, earthquakes….
Ground Water
The Unseen Part of the Water Cycle
Aquifer
Salt Groundwater
Hydrogeology Defined
Water/Earth Interactions
Earth materials
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Rock
Sediment (Soil)
Fluids (Water)
Geologic processes
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Form,
Distribute and
Change Earth materials
Water is a primary agent of
many (all?) geologic processes
Hydrogeology Defined
Water/Earth Interactions
Interactions go both ways
• Groundwater controls
geologic processes
• Geology controls flow
and availability of
groundwater
Hydrogeology Defined
Water/Earth Interactions
Geology controls groundwater flow
 Permeable pathways are controlled by
distributions of geological materials
Hydrogeology Defined
Water/Earth Interactions
Geology controls groundwater flow
 Permeable pathways are controlled by
distributions of geological materials
 Where groundwater is available as a
resource is controlled by geology
Hydrogeology Defined
Water/Earth Interactions
Geology controls groundwater flow
 Permeable pathways are
controlled by distributions
of geological materials
 Where groundwater is
available as a resource is
controlled by geology
 Contaminant transport in
the subsurface is
controlled by geology
Hydrogeology Defined
Water/Earth Interactions
Groundwater controls geologic processes
 Volcanic Processes:
 Igneous Rocks:
Groundwater controls water
content of magmas
 Metamorphic Rocks:
Groundwater injected by
magmas can metamorphose
country rocks
 Volcanism: Geysers are an
example of volcanic activity
interacting with groundwater
Hydrogeology Defined
Water/Earth Interactions
Groundwater controls geologic processes
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Earthquakes: fluids control fracturing and fault
movement, lubrication and pressures
Landslides: groundwater controls slope failure
Landforms: Valley development and karst topography
Ground Water Zones

Degree of saturation
defines different soil
water zones
Soil and Groundwater Zones
Unsaturated Zone:
Water in pendular
saturation
Caplillary Fringe:
Water is pulled above
the water table by
capilary suction
Water Table: where
fluid pressure is equal to
atmospheric pressure
Saturated Zone:
Where all pores are
completely filled with water.
Phreatic Zone: Saturated zone below the water table
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Ground water and
the Water cycle
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Infiltration
Infiltration capacity
Overland flow
Ground water
recharge
GW flow
GW discharge
Bedrock Hydrogeology

Hydraulic
Conductivity
of bedrock is
controlled by
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Size of fracture openings
Spacing of fractures
Interconnectedness of fractures
Potentiometric Surfaces
Potentiometric Surfaces
Ground Water as a Geologic Agent
Ground Water as a Geologic Agent
Ground Water as a Geologic Agent
Ground Water Contamination
Contaminant Transport
Ohio Groundwater Law

1843: Acton v. Blundell
“English Rule”
The landowner can pump
groundwater at any rate
even if an adjoining
property owner were
harmed.
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1861: Frazier v. Brown
English Rule in Ohio
Groundwater is
“…occult and concealed…”
and legislation of its use is
“…practically impossible.”
Wisconsin Groundwater Law
1903: Huber v. Merkel
English Rule in Wisconsin
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1974: Wisconsin v. Michels
Pipeline Constructors Inc.
English Rule Overturned
A property owner can
pump unlimited amounts
of groundwater,
even with malicious harm  Landowners no longer have
“an absolute right to use with
to a neighbor.
impunity all water that can be
pumped from the subsoil
underneath.”
English Rule Overturned in Ohio
1984: Cline v. American Aggregates
English Rule overturned in Ohio
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Justice Holmes: “Scientific
knowledge in the field of hydrology
has advanced in the past
Today: Lingering effects
decade…” so it
of English Rule
“…can establish the cause and  It is very difficult to prove
effect relationship of the tapping of cause and effect to be
underground water to the existing
defensible in court.
water level.”