Water Resources
Geology 103 Laboratory Overview
Learning Goals
In this module, you will:
- revisit the water cycle and the role of groundwater in the water cycle,
- learn about the important properties of rocks and sediments that allow aquifers to form, and
- investigate the vulnerability of aquifers to anthropogenic contamination.
Groundwater is the largest reservoir of fresh liquid water that we have come to rely on. In many parts of the world rapid and unsustainable use of groundwater is putting pressure on this precious resource. Since this water resource is invisible unlike streams and other types of surface water, people have not been able to effectively track its usage.
Introduction
The Water Cycle
The water cycle is crucial in not only regulating Earth's climate system but also for making life possible on Earth. Since the water cycle occurs from a micro-scale to a global scale, it is difficult to get a good understanding of this phenomenon as well as how the water cycle is changing because of human pressures. In the videos below NASA highlights how they are helping monitor the state of water and groundwater from space.
15 Years of GRACE Earth Observations
For 15 Years, GRACE Tracked Freshwater Movements Around the World
Groundwater Use
Freshwater is critical for the survival of Earth's biosphere (that includes us!). Below are some examples - both local and international - of how groundwater resources are being tapped around the world. In some cases, these resources are being in an unsustainable way. We have a long way to go.
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1
Mount Pleasant, SC
Many towns along coastal Carolinas, including Mount Pleasant, rely on groundwater for drinking water. Because of a significant population increase resulting in increased tapping of coastal aquifers, saltwater intrusions (from oceans) are contaminating these coastal aquifers.
2
Memphis, TN
A major metropolis along the banks of the Mississippi River. The high sediment load in the river is too expensive to reduce using conventional water treatment. The city instead relies on groundwater for their citizens.
3
Midwestern farmland
Midwestern US is an arid part of the US and receives little precipitation compared to the Atlantic coastal US. However, farmers in this part of the US rely on groundwater aquifers for irrigating. The landscape in this region is covered in crop circles (pivot irrigation). Image: National Geographic.
4
Wādī ad Dawāsir, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is mining water in the extreme arid desert region in the Dawasir Valley to provide for their citizens. NASA has recorded dramatic change to these areas using satellites . Image: Wikipedia.
5
Phoenix, AZ
The megapolis in the arid southwestern US needs water for its citizens. They are "recycling" and "reclaiming" their wastewater for multiple uses . Commercial operations in the small agricultural and cattle towns such as those in Cochise County to the southeast of Phoenix are using too much groundwater too fast . Image: Wikipedia.
6
Central Valley, CA
The Central Valley region of CA is one of the most agriculturally productive regions of the world. This area is arid and has few surface water resources. The excessive groundwater used in this region has led to dramatic land subsidence. Image: Arizona State University
7
Windhoek, Namibia
This capital city of Namibia in the highlands region of central Namibia has little fresh water to waste. The city extensively recycles its wastewater for reuse as drinking water . Will this be a model for a sustainable future for the world. Image: Wikipedia
8
Flint, Michigan
The water crisis in this midwestern city in Michigan highlighted the state of drinking water infrastructure in our country. This PBS Documentary covers these issues. Many of our precious water resources are contaminated by a combination of industrial operations, natural disasters, and lax government oversight or priorities. Image source: NRDC
Major Aquifers of the US
Below is a map of all the major aquifers in the US. Click and interact with the map to discover the aquifers underlying your home.
Main surficial aquifers in the continental United States.
Resources for the Lab
Video Resources
The Water Cycle
What Is Groundwater?
Porosity and Permeability
Groundwater Model Demo