Which process describes water movement from the surface into the soil, replenishing groundwater?

Which process describes water movement from the surface into the soil, replenishing groundwater?

• A. Infiltration
• B. Runoff
• C. Evaporation
• D. Transpiration

Answer: (A)

Water moving from the surface into the soil and downward to help refill groundwater is infiltration. It describes how surface water enters the soil’s pore spaces and percolates downward toward the water table, gradually becoming groundwater. This process is how the hydrologic cycle restores aquifers after rainfall or meltwater. In contrast, runoff is water that travels over the land surface without soaking in, evaporation is the transformation of liquid water into vapor at the surface, and transpiration is water lost by plants. Infiltration rates vary with soil properties: permeable soils allow more infiltration, while impermeable surfaces slow it down.

Water moving from the surface into the soil and downward to help refill groundwater is infiltration. It describes how surface water enters the soil’s pore spaces and percolates downward toward the water table, gradually becoming groundwater. This process is how the hydrologic cycle restores aquifers after rainfall or meltwater. In contrast, runoff is water that travels over the land surface without soaking in, evaporation is the transformation of liquid water into vapor at the surface, and transpiration is water lost by plants. Infiltration rates vary with soil properties: permeable soils allow more infiltration, while impermeable surfaces slow it down.