SCI207 Week 3 Lab Report
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Fort Valley State University *
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Dec 6, 2023
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Groundwater and Surface Water Interactions
SCI 207: Our Dependence Upon the Environment
Instructor: Duyen Nguyen
November 28, 2023
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Groundwater and Surface Water Interactions
Introduction
The purpose of the lab this week was to show how both groundwater and surface water
interact with each other and with external factors such as contaminants. Conducting this lab was
also to show how the water cycle, along with the withdrawal and recharge process can impact
and change the habitat. Also, with this lab we are able to see how the interactions that we have
with our environment can have either negative or positive impacts on it. When the groundwater
that people rely on becomes contaminated, it can have some serious effects on the health of
individuals. According to the
Groundwater Foundation
, long term effects such as cancer could
result from being exposed to polluted water. The main purpose of the lab was also to see how the
levels of groundwater are impacted by the processes of withdrawal and recharge and pollution
that in non-point or on point.
Results
Data Tables and Observations
Activity 1 Observation: With this activity, I hypothesized that the water level would decrease
once the aquifer was drained of water and that no sand would be left in the reservoir. Even when
drained directly, I believed that it would replenish on its own due to the sediments and layers.
Activity 2 Observation: With this activity, I hypothesized that the polluted water would get into
the groundwater causing it to become contaminated.
Activity 3 Observation: With this activity, I hypothesized that adding fertilizer to the
environment would produce a permeable layer within the well that would be different from the
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impermeable layer because it will be a blocker that won’t allow the contaminant to permeate via
the ground.
Graphs and Photographs
Activity 1 Water Levels
Activity 2 Point Source Pollution
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Activity 3 Non-Point Source
Analysis
For activity 1, I accepted my hypothesis of the water level decreasing after the aquifer
was drained. In the activity 1 image, it is made clear by the markings on the straw that prior
to training the level was higher. For activity 2, I rejected my hypothesis. I initially predicted
that the pollution would contaminate the groundwater, but it did not as shown in the image
for the activity. For activity 3, I rejected my hypothesis because the contaminate was able to
seep through the barrier and permeate within the ground.
Discussion
This lab was very interesting to conduct in that it showed the many different hypotheses
and methods that can be used in order to see if contamination is present in water and the source
in which it came from. The
Environmental Protection Agency
stated that the areas that surround
pumping wells generally see an increase in contamination when water from the zone moves into
the well and aquifer. This helps to see why certain water crises exist such as the recent one in
Flint, Michigan.
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I really didn’t have any significant challenges with the lab this week. I was mainly
worried about whether or not I was doing the correct thing and getting the right results according
to my hypothesis for each activity. Overall, I enjoyed working with the materials and learning
how certain measures either prevent or cause contamination of water sources.
References
Groundwater Contamination.
Groundwater Foundation.
https://groundwater.org/threats/contamination/
Ground Water Contamination.
United States Environmental Protection Agency.
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-08/documents/mgwc-gwc1.pdf