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Groundwater

Groundwater

Groundwater includes all water in soil and in lower formations except for water which is connected with rocks chemically. It usually fills in empty spaces within rocks permeating them like a sponge. Special cases include underground rivers or water bodies similar to lakes. It is possible in places where water hollowed out vast caverns in rocks. Hydrogeology studies groundwater.

Groundwater classification

Groundwater can be classified in terms of the place it is found in ground. Water vapor, membrane and hygroscopic water, capillary water which fill micropores and suspended water lying on surfaces spatially restricted by impermeable rocks are found near surface - in the aeration zone.

  • Subsoil water - it is closely related to the aeration zone. As it is found near surface and lacks impermeable water level, which would isolate it from the surface, it is easily influenced by the atmosphere - temperature changes and resource changes. This water can freeze. It is usually unfit for using since it is very liable to pollution.
  • Groundwater - it is found below the aeration zone. It has free water table which undergoes considerable periodic fluctuations. After persistent rain its table rises whereas after drought it goes down and often causes wells to dry. Owing to infiltration through several or sometimes even about fifteen kilometers of permeable rocks, water is naturally filtered and becomes relatively clean.
  • Deep-seated water - is found in water-bearing layers covered with impermeable formations. It is characterized by having a water table whose shape is affected by the lower surface of incumbent layer. Temperature of deep-seated water corresponds to the yearly average temperature of the given areas whereas deeper it rises according to geothermal degree.
  • Abyssal water - is completely isolated from the surface by impermeable formations. It does not take part in hydrological cycle. Abyssal water is usually highly mineralized and it has relatively low temperature due to which it can be used for energetic purposes.