The letters following each Review Question refer to the corresponding Learning Objective from the Chapter Opener. What is groundwater, and where does it reside on the Earth? (A)

Short Answer

Expert verified
Groundwater is the water found underground, filling spaces and cracks in soil, sand, and rocks, and moving slowly through layers called aquifers. It resides mainly in the saturated zone below the Earth's surface, known as the water table, providing a vital source of freshwater for humans, agriculture, and ecosystems.

Step by step solution

01

1.Definition of Groundwater

Groundwater is the water that is found underground, filling the spaces and cracks in soil, sand, and rock. It is stored in and moves slowly through layers of soil, sand, and rocks called aquifers.
02

2.Where Groundwater Resides on Earth

Groundwater resides in the subsurface, mostly in the saturated zone below the Earth's surface, where water fills all the available spaces in rocks and soil. This saturated zone where groundwater can be found is known as the water table. The water table level can vary, depending on factors such as precipitation, season, and human activities (like pumping water from wells). In summary, groundwater is water that is stored underground in the spaces of soil, sand, and rocks, mainly in the saturated zone known as the water table. It is a crucial source of freshwater for human use, agriculture, and ecosystems on Earth.

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