About Groundwater

Water has a vital role in all aspects of life, as there can be no life without it, as God Almighty said: "And We made out of water everything that lives" (Al-Anbiya 30). But what is the nature of water? How is it formed? Where is it found? How can it be searched for? What are its different types and characteristics?

The water cycle in nature: The cycle begins with the evaporation of water from the surface of the seas and oceans by the sun's heat, then it condenses into clouds, and then falls as rain. But there are other factors that affect the formation of water, such as mountains, as their cold peaks lead to the formation of waterfalls when clouds collide with them, as God Almighty said: "And We made high mountains and rains" (Al-Mursalat 27). The winds also play a role in pollinating the clouds, which leads to the formation of rain, as God Almighty stated: "And We sent the winds with freshness, and we watered you with fresh water" (Al-Furqan 48). Volcanoes also contribute to the formation of water by a large percentage of up to 70% through emissions on the surface of the earth or under the seas and oceans, as Allah says: "And We brought out of it water and its pasture" (Al-Naz'at 31).

After rainfall, porous rocks absorb water and store it in subsurface reservoirs (aquifers), and when the water is exposed to the pressure of the subsurface layers, it can seep to the surface of the earth in the form of springs, as Allah says: "And We burst rivers in the sky" (Al-Zamar 21).

Methods of water formation in nature:

1. The heat of the sun: The sun's rays that fall on seas, oceans, and rivers work to vaporize water, then condense it into clouds, and when the clouds are over cold areas, they fall in the form of rain.

2. Wind: The wind has a big role in pollinating clouds, as it carries dust and salt particles that condense around water droplets, which leads to the formation of electrical charges and thus the occurrence of lightning, thunder, and then rain.

3. Mountains: When clouds collide with cold mountain peaks, they form torrents that descend downward, forming rivers and some groundwater.

4. volcanoes: Volcanoes, both on the Earth's surface and under the seas, contribute a large percentage of water formation, containing 70% of water.

5. springs: When water seeps out of the subsurface layers, and a fault occurs in these layers, the water springs to the surface, forming springs.

Types of groundwater:

1. Unconfined Aquifer: The water is under the influence of atmospheric pressure and is in direct contact with the surface.
2. Confined Aquifer: The water is under high pressure between two impermeable layers.
3. Semi-confined Aquifer: The water is trapped between layers with low permeability.
4. Perched Aquifer: where water is confined by special geological formations.
5. Connate Aquifer: The water is trapped from the time of rock formation.

Groundwater exploration: Groundwater is explored through the porosity and permeability of rocks, where surface water (such as rainwater) helps form water reservoirs within the rocks. When a crack in the ground occurs, water can be extracted from these reservoirs.

Conclusion: Water is a blessing from God Almighty that we should be thankful for, and we must preserve it, as fresh water can turn into salt water if we do not thank God for this blessing.