Groundwater All subsurface water found in the pore space of soils and rocks.
Capillary Water
Moisture held in the soil by surface tension and hydrogen bonding with soil materials.
Gravity Water
Water in excess of capillary water that is able to flow down through a permeable earth layer.
Porosity
The amount of space between rock and soil particles (affects water storage)
Permeability
The ability of soil or rock to allow water to pass through (affects ground water movement)
Zone of Aeration
Upper soil/rock level in which pore space is a combination of capillary water and air
Zone of Saturation
Lower soil/rock level in which pore space is full of water.

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