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Activity G-1: | Mini-Groundwater Models |
This youth activity is one in a series of two activities that can be used to introduce groundwater concepts. It is a good introductory activity and can be adapted for all grades. | |
Purpose: | |
To demonstrate the concepts of groundwater, aquifer, infiltration, leaching, percolation, water table, and soil profile. | |
Background: | |
(This information was taken from GROUNDWATER: A VITAL RESOURCE Student Activities by the Cedar Creek Learning Center in cooperation with the Tennessee Valley Authority. 1986.) | |
Groundwater is defined as the water that seeps or
percolates into the soil and is stored in an aquifer (water bearing
material like gravel) where it can be pumped out for use.
Groundwater accumulates chiefly from rain that filters through the soil (also known as percolation, and leaching). It also forms from water that seeps into the ground from lakes and ponds. The water settles into the pores an cracks of underground rocks and into the spaces between grains of sand and pieces of gravel. A layer or bed of such porous materials that yields useful amounts of groundwater is called an aquifer. Wells are drilled down to an aquifer to draw groundwater to the surface. The surface of groundwater, called the water table, drops when more water is withdrawn than can be replaced naturally. In some areas that have large populations or little rainfall, the groundwater supply may have to recharged artificially. However, many regions of the world are using up the groundwater faster than aquifers are being recharged. Pollution of groundwater is a serious problem. Pollutants that seep into the ground can come from contaminated surface water, leaks from sewer pipes and septic tanks, and gasoline and chemical spills. Groundwater may also be polluted by chemical fertilizers and buried radioactive wastes. |
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This activity was adapted by Dr. Kitt Farrell-Poe from the Invitational Professional Development Workshop: Water Activities Teaching Environmental Responsibility. February 28-March 4, 1990. Camp Ocala, 4-H Center, Altoona, FL. | |
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, James A. Christenson, Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture, The University of Arizona. The University of Arizona College of Agriculture is an Equal Opportunity employer, authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to sex, race, religion, color, national origin, age, Viet Nam Era Veteran's status, or disability.
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