Porosity and Permeability of Soil and Rock — Passage
Porosity and permeability are two key properties of soil and rock that affect how water moves underground.
Porosity refers to the amount of empty space, or pores, within a material. Materials with high porosity, like sand, can hold more water. Permeability refers to how easily water can flow through a material. For example, gravel is highly permeable because water flows through it quickly, while clay has low permeability because water moves through it slowly.
These properties are important for groundwater storage and recharge. High porosity allows rocks and soil to store more water, while high permeability allows water to flow into aquifers. However, materials with high porosity but low permeability, like clay, can trap water and prevent it from reaching aquifers.
Understanding porosity and permeability helps scientists manage water resources, predict flooding, and design effective irrigation systems. For example, farmers use permeable soils to ensure water reaches plant roots, while engineers use impermeable materials to build dams and prevent leaks.
Fun fact: The Ogallala Aquifer, one of the largest aquifers in the world, has high porosity and permeability, allowing it to store and supply vast amounts of groundwater to the central United States.
What is porosity?
The ability of water to flow through a materialThe amount of empty space within a materialThe type of soilThe process of water evaporationWhat is permeability?
The amount of empty space within a materialThe ability of water to flow through a materialThe type of rockThe process of water freezingWhich material has high porosity?
ClaySandGravelGraniteWhich material has high permeability?
ClaySandGravelGraniteWhat is one importance of porosity and permeability?
They increase air pressureThey affect groundwater storage and rechargeThey stop water flowThey reduce soil qualityWhat is one example of a material with low permeability?
GravelSandClayGraniteWhat is the fun fact mentioned in the passage?
The Ogallala Aquifer has high porosity and permeabilityPorosity and permeability are the sameClay has high permeabilitySand has low porosityWhat is one use of impermeable materials?
Building damsIncreasing water flowImproving soil qualityReducing groundwater storageCommon core standards covered
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