Final answer:
Groundwater storage and movement are influenced by the hydraulic gradient, porosity and permeability of materials, aquifers and aquitards, recharge and infiltration rates, and features like karst topography. Discharge zones, artesian springs, and the geothermal gradient also play roles, as do gaining streams that add to river discharge.
Step-by-step explanation:
The storage and movement of groundwater are influenced by factors that include the hydraulic gradient, which is the slope of the water table or potentiometric surface that drives the flow of groundwater from areas of high to low potential. The porosity of the rock or sediment determines the amount of water that can be stored, while the permeability controls the ease with which water can flow through the subsurface materials. Aquifers and aquitards also play critical roles: aquifers are the subsurface layers that can store and transmit groundwater effectively, while aquitards are relatively impermeable layers that hinder water movement.
Other factors include recharge rate, which is the speed at which water percolates down to the aquifer, and capillary fringe, which is the area above the water table where water can rise due to capillary action. The cone of depression occurs around wells during extraction, indicating the lowering of the water table, and hydrostatic pressure is the force exerted by the weight of the water above a point. The karst topography, characterized by soluble rock such as limestone, greatly affects groundwater flow due to its unique underground drainage systems. Infiltration capacity is the ground's ability to absorb water, which, along with the infiltration rate, affects how much water reaches the aquifer.
Discharge zones are where groundwater flows to the surface naturally, contributing to streams and creating features like artesian springs. The geothermal gradient can affect water temperature and its ability to dissolve minerals, influencing groundwater quality. Gaining streams receive additional water from groundwater, contributing to the overall volume of river discharge.