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Objective
Groundwater is water that is found
underground in the spaces and cracks between soil, sand and gravel.
Often hidden from view, in this activity you will "see" what
groundwater looks like and learn some basic groundwater
vocabulary.
Materials
Needed
2 clear
cups
Sand
Gravel or aquarium rock
Pitcher of
water
Procedure
1. Fill both cups with layers of sand and gravel to about
3/4 from the top of each cup. Remember that in nature,
aquifers consist of layers of sand, gravel and
rock.
2. In one of the cups, pour
water slowly into it. Watch how the water fills the spaces between
the particles of sand and gravel. Does the water appear to move
faster through the sand or faster through the gravel?
Why?
3. Now continue to fill
this cup with water to the top (above the top of the sand and
gravel). Water that is located above ground, like rivers and lakes,
is called surface water. Water below the ground's surface is
called groundwater.
4. In the second cup,
slowly pour water into the cup until the water line is about one
inch below the top of the sand/gravel. Look closely at this line
created by the water. This line is called the water table.
Water below the water table is called the saturation
zone.
5. Now pretend that your
pitcher of water is a large rain cloud and pour some more water into
your second aquifer until the water table is about one half an inch
below the surface of the gravel. Your groundwater supply has just
been recharged. This is what happens when it rains or snows
and water infiltrates (or sinks) into the ground.
Optional
Extension
Use
colored water or powdered drink mix to represent a source
of groundwater contamination. Sprinkle or pour the contamination
on the top a cup filled with gravel and water. Sprinkle water (rain)
on top of the gravel. Observe and discuss what happens.
Conclusion
We have learned that groundwater is water that is found
underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand and gravel. We
have learned that groundwater is stored in--and moves through--the
layers of sand and gravel. This geologic formation of sand and
gravel which stores groundwater is called an aquifer. Aquifers get
more water when they are recharged by rain and snow.
Activity
Source
The
Groundwater Gazette, published by The Groundwater
Foundation |