An Underground River
How does water flow through the ground?Copyright Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Groundwater_(aquifer,_aquitard,_3_type_wells).PNG
Students learn how water flows through the ground, what an aquifer is, and what solid properties predict groundwater flow. Groundwater is one of the largest sources of drinking water, so environmental engineers need to understand groundwater flow in order to tap into this important resource. Environmental engineers also study groundwater to track the movement of pollution from the surface.
Groundwater is an important source of drinking water in the world, and one that is at growing risk of becoming polluted by fertilizers, pesticides and industrial pollutants such as dry cleaning chemicals and dyes. Environmental engineers are challenged to clean the groundwater and restore it to a natural or usable state so that it remains free of harmful chemicals that could contaminate the drinking water supply and make people sick.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Describe groundwater as a useful water resource for drinking water.
- Understand how porosity and permeability relate to groundwater flow.
- Describe the role of engineers in the study of groundwater.
- Describe the cause and effect relationship of chemical pollution on groundwater resources.