Summary and Final Tasks

Summary

Through Module 6, you've learned about the physical properties and types or aquifers; the driving forces that control where and how fast groundwater percolates in the subsurface; the interactions between surface water, groundwater, and pumping at wells; and the concepts that underlie groundwater budgets and sustainability. You've also explored these issues through case studies of regional aquifers that provide water for drinking and agriculture. You should now be able to describe the main types of aquifers and how they differ, and to explain the basic characteristics of aquifers that relate to storage and transmission of water, including porosity and permeability. Additionally, you should now understand the concept of hydraulic head, and how it is related to the direction and rate of groundwater movement. Finally, the concept of groundwater budgets and groundwater overdraft provide an important context for consideration of groundwater sustainability. In upcoming modules, we will draw upon your understanding of groundwater flow to consider risks to water quality and the impacts of contamination (Module 7), and the sustainability of groundwater extraction as one approach to address water scarcity by supplementing surface water supply (Modules 8-9).

Reminder - Complete all of the Lesson 6 tasks!

You have reached the end of Module 6.2! Double-check the to-do lists both on the Module 6.1 Roadmap and the Module 6.2 Roadmap to make sure you have completed all of the activities listed there before you begin Module 7.

References and Further Reading

All required readings are included in the course pages for Modules 6.1 and 6.2.