Chapter 28, Problem 19TE

To determine

Whether water in the unsaturated zone is called groundwater with the reason.

Answer to Problem 19TE

The water in the unsaturated zone is not called groundwater because in the unsaturated zone the voids are not completely filled with water.

Explanation of Solution

The rainwater that is present on the surface gets absorbed by the ground and gets stored beneath the Earth's surface. This groundwater is stored in two zones that are known as unsaturated and saturated zone. These zones have various open pores in which water gets stored.

In case of a saturated zone, these pores get completely filled with the water, and this is known as groundwater. Whereas, in the unsaturated zone, these pores are partially filled with water as well as air, and this is known as soil moisture.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the water in the unsaturated zone is not called groundwater because in the unsaturated zone the voids are not completely filled with water.