Kurikan geologia

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Basics of Hydrogeology
Basics of Hydrogeology
Basics of Hydrogeology

Hydrogeology, Geology & Hydrology

Hydrogeology might sound like a complex concept, but once explained, the meaning is easy to understand. Hydrogeology is a branch of geology that focuses on underground water resources, such as groundwater.

Geology, on the other hand, is a science that studies the Earth and its solid matter: its history, structure, composition, and the processes that have formed it and occur within it.

Hydrogeology can easily be confused with hydrology (the science of water), which studies the Earth’s freshwater resources and the water cycle. In simplified terms, one could say that hydrogeology operates between geology and hydrology.

The Importance of Studying Water

A large part of the Earth is covered with water, yet there is still a shortage of it in many parts of the world. This is because 97% of the planet’s water is salty seawater, which is unsuitable for human use. The remaining 3% is freshwater, with a dissolved substance concentration of less than 0.5‰. Therefore, freshwater, which provides clean water for households, industry, and agriculture, is extremely valuable.

Freshwater resources can be found in underground aquifers, glaciers, rivers, and lakes. These water resources renew naturally through the water cycle. However, it is crucial not to consume water resources too quickly, as they need time to renew. Research helps improve the sustainability and availability of water resources

Natural Cycle of Water

Water is a renewable natural resource that undergoes an eternal cycle on Earth. It evaporates from the Earth’s surface into the atmosphere and returns as precipitation. Water is purified as it cycles through the atmosphere because evaporation only transfers water molecules into the atmosphere. Once it falls to the ground as rain, the water flows as runoff into surface and groundwater and eventually into the seas, evaporating along the way or ultimately from the sea back into the atmosphere. In the water cycle, the total amount of water on Earth remains constant. (Leppäranta et al., 2017)

Natural cycle of water: 1. Water evaporates 2. Then it is affected by condensation 3. It rains down to earth 4. Repeat
Natural cycle of water.

Forming of Groundwater

Groundwater forms when rainwater or surface water infiltrates the soil or flows into rock fractures. The soil must be coarse-grained and porous to allow water to be absorbed. Groundwater is usually very clean because it is filtered as it percolates through the layers of soil.

Tap Water

Water utilities produce drinking water, also known as tap water, from freshwater (raw water). The quality of drinking water has strict standards, and in Finland, the water from the tap is exceptionally clean. Water quality varies by region, depending on factors such as the source of the raw water and the condition of the pipelines.

The quality of drinking water is tested regularly, and the results of these tests can be accessed on the websites of the water utilities. Below is a link to the Kurikan Vesihuolto Oy website, where you can see the results of Kurikka’s drinking water quality tests.

Water Quality in Kurikka

Sources