Surface and groundwater processes

Surface Processes

Weathering: This is the breakdown of rocks at the Earth’s surface, by the action of rainwater, extremes of temperature, and biological activity. It does not involve the removal of rock material.
Erosion and Transportation: These processes involve the wearing away and removal of material by mobile agents such as water, wind, or ice.
Deposition: This happens when the agents of transportation lose energy and drop the material they were carrying. Understanding context of deposition can further reveal geological history.
Soil formation: The process of soil formation involves the weathering of rock and the accumulation and decomposition of organic material, which provides an important context for understanding the near-surface geological history.

Infiltration: The process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil. Infiltration is governed by two forces, gravity and capillary action.
Percolation: The movement of water through the pores in soil or rocks. The rate of percolation will affect the ability of groundwater to carry and deposit dissolved minerals and nutrients.
Transpiration: The process by which moisture is carried through plants from roots to small openings on the undersides of leaves and evaporated to the atmosphere. Transpiration plays a key role in the water cycle.
Recharge: This is the natural method for replenishing an aquifer. It is part of the water cycle, and a critical part of sustainable groundwater management.

Spring formation: A spring is a point where groundwater flows out from the ground. Springs may be the result of karst processes, where acidic water has carved out caverns in soluble rocks like limestone.
River baseflow: Rivers receive a significant portion of their flow from groundwater, especially during dry periods. This ground to surface water flow is known as baseflow.
Groundwater pollution: Not a natural process but an important consideration in geology. Understanding the potential for pollution transport through groundwater is vital when considering the sustainability of water resources and environmental impact assessments.
Vegetation and groundwater: Vegetation can impact the groundwater level and vice versa. It’s important to understand this interaction for any geological investigation.