groundwater flow
Quick Summary
Groundwater is water found beneath the Earth's surface, filling the spaces within soils and rock layers. It originates primarily from precipitation that infiltrates the ground. This water moves slowly through porous rock formations called aquifers.
The movement of groundwater is governed by principles like Darcy's Law, which relates flow rate to the properties of the porous medium and the pressure gradient. Groundwater contributes significantly to river runoff, acting as a base flow that sustains streams between rain events. While generally clean, groundwater sources are vulnerable to pollution from various human activities, including agriculture and industrial waste.12
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