Vadose zone
The vadose zone, also known as the unsaturated zone, is the layer of soil and rock that lies above the water table and below the land surface. In this zone, the spaces between soil particles contain both air and water, but the water is not fully saturated. This area plays a crucial role in the movement of water from the surface into the groundwater, affecting agriculture, ecosystems, and water quality. The vadose zone acts as a buffer, filtering pollutants and regulating water supply before it reaches the aquifers below.
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The vadose zone, also known as the unsaturated zone, is the layer of soil and rock located between the land surface and the groundwater table. In this area, soil pores contain both air and water, but the water is not fully saturated. The vadose zone plays a crucial role in the hydrological cycle, affecting water movement, plant growth, and the filtering of pollutants. It acts as a buffer, helping to protect groundwater from contamination while facilitating the natural process of water infiltration into the deeper aquifers below.