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groundwater Water accumulated beneath the Earth's surface in the pores of rocks, spaces, crevices, etc. Groundwater may be meteoric, rainwater having soaked down from above, or juvenile, where water has risen from beneath. Permeable, water-bearing rocks are aquifers; rocks with pores small enough to inhibit the flow of water through them are aquicludes. Build-up of groundwater pressure beneath an aquiclude makes possible construction of an artesian well. The uppermost layer of groundwater saturation is the water table. Related categories • WATER SUPPLY Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Science Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) |