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hydrology
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The science that deals with water on and beneath the Earth surface.
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water cycle
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The transfer of water between numerous temporary storage reservoir. These include the ocean, rivers and streams, glacial ice, groundwater and the atmosphere.
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hydrologic cycle
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The constant circulation of water from the sea, through the atmosphere, to the land, and its eventual return to the atmosphere by way of transpiration and evaporation from the sea and the land surfaces
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hydrologic cycle
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The cyclical movement of water from the ocean to the atmosphere, through rain to the surface, through runoff and groundwater to streams, and back to the sea.
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hydrologic system
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The cycle occuring between rain and return to the sea,
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condensation
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The change of state of water from the vapor to the liquid phase. Results in liberation of 80 calories per cubic centimeter.
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dew point
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The temperature (elevation) where adiabatic cooling results in the initiation of condensation of water vapor into cloud droplets.
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runoff
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The amount of rain water directly leaving an area in surface drainage, as opposed to the amount that seep out as groundwater.
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percolation
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The movement of water downward and radially through the subsurface soil layer, usually continuing downward to the groundwater.
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water mass
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A mass of water that fills part of an ocean or lake and is distinguished by its uniform physical and chemical properties, such as temperature and salinity.
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groundwater
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The supply of fresh water found beneath the surface of the Earth (usually in aquifer) that often supplies well and spring.
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water table
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Surface along which fluid pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure.
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spring
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A surface flow of groundwater which occurs any time the water table intersects the surface.
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hot spring
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A spring whose waters are above both human body and soil temperature as a result ofpluto-nism at depth.
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potable water
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Water that is agreeable to the taste and not dangerous to the health.
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aquifer
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Saturated permeable geologic unit that can store and transmit significant quantities of groundwater.
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potentiometric surface
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Imaginary surface defined by the levels to which water will rise in well that are open at the same elevation. The slope of the potentiometric surface determines the horizontal direction of groundwater flow.
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aquitard
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A geologic formation or stratum that significantly retards fluid movement.
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geopressured systems
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Hydrothermal systems contained in sedimentary rock in regions of normal geothermal gradient. They represent a special case in which the pore fluid are under pressure exceeding the hydrostatic pressure.
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artesian well
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A well in an aquifer where the groundwater is confined under pressure and the water level will rise above the top of the confined aquifer.
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connate water
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Water included in the groundwater which is derived from the rock itself, as opposed to water which has percolated down from the surface.
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permeability
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The ability of a rock or other material to allow water to flow through its interconnected spaces. Permeable bedrock makes a good aquifer, a rock layer that yields water to well.
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hydraulic conductivity
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A measure of the permeability of a rock or soil
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impermeable
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Rock or sediment that does not allow passage of water.
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unsaturated zone
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Zone between the land surface and the water table in which fluid pressures are less than atmospheric.
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transpiration
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The removal of water from the ground into plants, ultimately to be evaporated into the atmosphere by them.
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artificial recharge
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The unnatural addition of surface waters to groundwater. Recharge could result from reservoir storage basin, leaky canals, direct injection of water into an aquifer, or by spreading water over a large land surface.
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evapotranspiration
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Water used by plants and animals and subsequently returned directly to the atmosphere.
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