Groundwater occurrence and flow in varying geological formations

Abstract

Groundwater includes water that is formed within the unsaturated zone (soil), above the water table (capillary fringe) and below the water table. Its occurrence is everywhere, and it is restricted to a maximum of 750 m depth in the near surface. Groundwater availability within the subsurface formation has become a primary concern to the geoscientists because the dependency of surface water has been limited and declined due to it inadequate yield during the period of a year and also the surface contaminant which affect its quality and potential. The investigation of groundwater in the near surface has been a major principal discovery which has served both the domestic, commercial, agricultural and industrial purposes and to understand the continuity of groundwater availability within the subsurface, a study on occurrence and flow of groundwater is highly significant. Understanding the flow pattern is a major constituent in productive groundwater exploitation and exploration. Therefore, this review has been design to place emphasis on the occurrence and flow of groundwater in the near surface, which is one of the agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals.