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4 Differences in Shallow Groundwater and Deep Groundwater

by Widiya

Water is one of the most important factors in human life. It can be said that every joint of human life cannot be separated and kept away from what is called water. The existence of water can be found anywhere. There are some reliefs of the Earth’s surface that might look dry as a desert. However, if we dig deeper in the ground, we are still able to find water.

This can be proven by the oasis in some parts of the desert. Water can be found on its own and can be divided into various types. All depends on the nature, condition, and location of the water. Even though it still has the same shape, the name that is owned is far different.

This time we will discuss the differences in shallow groundwater and deep groundwater. Basically, these two groups are a very common type for us to find. Although both are basically water. However, there are some things that are fundamental factors that can be used to distinguish such as:

  1. Location

As we have said before, there are many types of groundwater that we can find. Each groundwater has different locations depending on the type and characteristics of the groundwater. The location of the water can be the main determinant to distinguish between shallow groundwater and deep groundwater. In deep groundwater, the location is usually several tens to hundred meters in the ground.

Deep groundwater is between two layers of rock that cannot be penetrated by water or can also be said as a layer of water-resistant rock. This is what makes the groundwater deep; very few can reach the surface.

Shallow groundwater basically has several different types. An example is well water which is widely used by the human. This shallow groundwater itself is usually located above a layer of watertight rock. The river is one type of shallow water that has appeared on the surface.

  1. Utilization

When talking about the use of groundwater itself, there are several factors that affect the potential of groundwater. One of them is method of utilizing groundwater. Shallow groundwater is a type of groundwater that can be said to be very commonly used. This type of groundwater is widely used by the community in general, especially the household.

Shallow groundwater is very easy to use because the depth is not too excessive, besides the cost used to dig the water source is also not too much.

Utilization of deep groundwater sources can be said to be more specific and different. Usually, this groundwater source is mostly used on a larger and narrower scale. This one source of groundwater is widely used by souvenir companies or hotel businesses that need more water sources. The use of deep groundwater sources is one of the factors causing a reduction in water catchment areas that usually occur in large cities.

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  1. Water Discharge

Water discharge is one that we can use as a point to discuss the differences in shallow ground water and deep ground water. Each layer of water certainly has a different flow system. In the shallow ground water layer, the water discharge rate will be greatly influenced by the weather on the surface of the Earth. The dynamics of atmospheric change is one of the factors that can affect the rate and availability of shallow groundwater itself whereas, in the deep groundwater layer, it can be said that the existing rate is quite stable and not affected.

This is because this deep water source is not completely dependent on rainwater. In addition, it is very rare to use water sources in this area.

  1. Possibly Polluted

Pollution of water at a water source is one of the things that are very carefully considered. There are so many factors that cause water pollution. One of the most important is careless waste disposal. If talking about the possibility of being polluted, then shallow groundwater has a much greater possibility. This is very closely related to the depth of this water source that is not too deep. In addition, shallow groundwater is also very easy to absorb any substances that enter the soil. This is because shallow groundwater is not protected by a waterproof layer on both sides as in the deep groundwater layer.

Those are some of the differences in shallow groundwater and deep groundwater. Both have differences and also affect each other. Although it has a fairly far apart location, both of them basically influence each other in different ways. Hopefully, this information will be useful for all of us.

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