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Geology & Earth Sciences vocabulary · Water Cycle & Hydrology

Groundwater

Meaning in geology & earth sciences, with examples

/ˈɡraʊndwɔːtər/nounCore term

In geology & earth sciences, groundwater means: Water held underground in the pores and cracks of soil, sediment and rock below the water table. It feeds wells and springs.

In Turkish: yeraltı suyu

How it is used

Used in hydrogeology, water management and environmental reports. Groundwater is pumped, extracted, recharged, polluted or depleted. It is usually written as one word.

Example sentences

  1. Over-pumping of groundwater has lowered the water table across the plain.

  2. Farmers here rely on groundwater for irrigation.

Common collocations

  • groundwater level
  • groundwater recharge
  • groundwater pollution
  • pump groundwater
  • groundwater resources
  • aquiferAn underground body of permeable rock or sediment that holds groundwater and lets it flow, so that it can supply wells and springs.
  • water tableThe upper surface of groundwater, below which soil and rock are fully saturated with water. Its depth rises and falls with rainfall and pumping.
  • permeableAllowing water or other fluids to pass through easily. Sand, gravel and cracked limestone are permeable, while clay and shale let very little water through.
  • water cycleThe continuous movement of water between the oceans, the atmosphere and the land through evaporation, condensation, precipitation and runoff.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Water Cycle & Hydrology

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