Water in the subsurface - a schematic representation
Water in the subsurface - a schematic representation
Earth’s surface
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Vadose Zone
pores are non saturated, sometimes referred to as “soil water”. Very significant in terms of crop irrigation and contaminant migration.
Perched aquifer
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Local Basal confinement
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Saturated Zone
Unconfined aquifers - Shallow
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Aquicludes or confining units
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Confined aquifers - Fresh water where active recharge
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aquitards or confining units
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Deeper confined aquifers - Brines with no active recharge - significant in terms of petroleum development and waste disposal
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Deep Crust and mantle
Crypto hydrology
