Laserfiche WebLink
<br />'aquifer will have minimal or no affect on the water level in the <br />confined aquifer. The reverse is also true. <br /> <br />However, if the well in the confined aquifer is not properly sealed <br />through the confining layer and unconfined zone, leakage can occur and <br />pumping from one aquifer could affect the water level in the other <br />aquifer. Occasionally there will be a slight change in the water level <br />in the confined aquifer owing to pressure adjustments due to slight <br />compaction of material in the unconffned aquifer as water is withdrawn. <br /> <br />CONCEPT 17: Human activities at or near the earth's surface can contaminate <br />qroundwater. <br /> <br />Action: Use one of the wash bottles containing diluted dye to add <br />colored water to the lagoon. <br /> <br />Discussion: The dye should move out of the lagoon, into the unsaturated <br />sand and into the groundwater. The dye may move toward the lake. The <br />lagoon represents various sources of groundwater contamination and could <br />be a landfill, a chemical disposal site, a sewage lagoon, or a manure <br />storage area. <br /> <br />Action: Use one of the wash bottles containing a different colored <br />diluted dye. Add colored water to the underground storage tank. <br /> <br />Discussion: The dye should move out of the storage tank and into the <br />sand. The underground storage tank represents another source of <br />groundwater contamination and could be a gasoline tank or a septic tank. <br /> <br />Action: Use 3 different wash bottles to add diluted dye to the <br />injection wells. The injection well ~earest the edge of the model will <br />inject dye into the confined aquifer, the middle injection well should <br />add dye to the lens of coarse sand, and the remaining injection well <br />should add dye to the fine sand about 3 inches below the surface. Watch <br />closely for the color to show up (not easy to see if use very diluted <br />dye). <br /> <br />Discussion: Injection wells represent another source of groundwater <br />contamination. Contamination can occur if the contaminant is injected <br />directly into the aquifer through an injection well. Improperly sealed <br />wells can allow surface contamination to enter the aquifer through <br />seepage down the outside of the well casing. <br /> <br />Action: Use one of the wash bottles containing diluted dye. This time <br />carefully squirt the diluted dye on the surface (can add to the sand as <br />well as the lake). The dye will move into the sand. <br /> <br />Discussion: This is a good opportunity to talk about what we do in our <br />homes and everyday lives that can lead to groundwater contamination. <br />Consider littering, boating, use of fertilizers and pesticides, improper <br />disposal of household chemicals, etc. <br /> <br />6 <br />