The difference between surface and ground water

Groundwater is water that forms under the surface of the earth, and occupies all or part of the voids in the soil or geological layers, and it is called by this name to distinguish it from surface water, and both surface and ground water are linked through the hydrological cycle (the continuous circulation of water). in the terrestrial atmospheric system). Surface water is any body of water found above the surface of the earth, including streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, reservoirs, and streams. On the other hand, water evaporation and infiltration into the land leads to the loss of water bodies.

The difference in properties between surface water and ground water

The difference between surface and ground water is as follows: Groundwater generally contains more minerals than surface water, and therefore requires less treatment than surface water. To help ensure that people have access to only safe, high-quality water, chlorine is added to groundwater to prevent bacterial growth in water distribution system pipes and tanks.

Groundwater comes from aquifers through wells, and surface water comes from mountains, lakes, rivers, or precipitation.

Groundwater stores pesticides and nitrates in it, while surface water contains most bacteria and other microorganisms. Because of the interrelationship between groundwater and surface water, these pollutants can be shared between the two sources, and neither of the two water sources can be completely free of pollutants.

Surface water can be found above ground in streams, ponds, swamps, lakes, or other sources, while groundwater is found below ground.

Ground water moves much slower than surface water ; Because it experiences more friction through the pores of the soil.

Surface water is more polluted than groundwater , and water filtration through the soil helps clean the groundwater .

Surface water undergoes evaporation, but ground water does not.

Groundwater is typically used for drinking, cooking, and other uses, and surface water is used for drinking, washing, farming, and generating electricity.

Groundwater maintains a constant temperature, while surface water changes its temperature, depending on the surrounding atmosphere.

The relationship between ground and surface water

The water cycle links ground and surface waters ; This means that they can pollute each other. When rain or snow falls on the surface of the earth, some water flows from the land to surface waters, such as: rivers, lakes, streams, and oceans, and some water is also evaporated and absorbed by plants, or continues to Moving downward becomes groundwater, which moves very slowly toward lower areas such as streams and lakes that end back in surface water.

Surface water

The importance of surface water

The importance of surface water stems from its ease of access, so it is relied on for many human uses, as surface water is an important source of drinking water, cooking, and cleaning, as well as used to irrigate agricultural lands, and wetlands constitute a suitable environment for aquatic plants and wildlife, and maintain Ecosystems.

surface water forms

There are three forms of surface water, which are as follows:

Permanent surface water: is the water found in rivers, lakes, springs, and swamps throughout the year, and is replenished by rainwater.

Semi-permanent surface water: includes water bodies that retain water only during a period of the year; Such as small streams, lakes, or low areas in which water collects for a specific period.

Man-made surface water: includes water contained in man-made structures, such as dams and artificial ponds.

underground water

The importance of ground water

The importance of groundwater lies in several things, the most important of which are the following:

Groundwater accounts for about a third of the fresh water consumed by humans in the world.

Groundwater is the main source of irrigation water in agriculture; Globally, the use of groundwater for irrigation is estimated at 43%.

Groundwater is used in the food industries and plays an important role for human society and the economy.

Groundwater plays an important and pivotal role on the environmental level, in terms of maintaining the continuous flow of water to rivers, lakes, and wetlands, especially during the dry and hot months without rain.

How is ground water

Groundwater is formed through the infiltration of rainwater or surface water in rivers or lakes into the earth’s layers through microscopic pores of soil and rocks until it reaches water-containing rock formations known as aquifers , and this is known as the process of water recharge. Groundwater, which expresses the amount of water that fills the aquifer during a certain period of time, usually measured in mm/year, and often occurs in areas where aquifers are exposed or close to the surface of the earth.