What are the springs

springs and wetlands

Some springs they were considered sacred in some ancient cultures. In fact, there are springs all over the world. These springs have their own characteristics, but they all have one thing in common: the spring water is of great purity. Many people misunderstand or do not know what springs are.

Therefore, we are going to dedicate this article to tell you what the springs are, what are their unique characteristics, flora, fauna and importance.

What are the springs

what are the springs

70% of the earth is water. This element, vital for life, is present in multiple states and in a wide variety of geographical features. Water can be found in oceans, lakes, rivers, or frozen in glaciers. However, water is also hidden underground, in aquifers or underground reservoirs. Understanding these types of sources will help us understand what a spring is and where the water that gushes from it comes from.

A spring is a stream of water that flows from an underground or rock source and springs to the surface. Some springs come from rainwater, snowwater, or seepage from igneous rocks to create hot springs. As a result, the flow of some springs will depend on the season and rainfall, causing seepage springs to dry up during periods of low rainfall. On the other hand, those with high flow can be used to supply the local population. The source of spring water is what allows us to build various types.

Types of springs

water purity

Three types of springs can be distinguished: perennial, intermittent or artesian springs. A perennial is a spring in which the water comes from a depth below the water table (the saturation zone) where flow occurs continuously.

An intermittent is a spring that is created when water comes from a level close to the water table. Therefore, its water only comes out when the water table reaches its highest level, that is, during the rainy season. Finally, artesian springs are man-made springs, the result of deep drilling where the water table is higher than the ground.

Experts can identify other types of springs based on the amount of water they discharge:

  • First magnitude. At least 2.800 liters per second (l/s). They are the oldest.
  • Second magnitude. From 280 to 2.800 l/s.
  • Third magnitude. From 28 to 280 l/s.
  • fourth magnitude. From 6,3 to 28 l/s.
  • fifth magnitude. From 0,63 to 6,3 l/s.
  • Sixth magnitude. From 63 to 630 ml/s.
  • seventh magnitude. From 8 to 63 ml/s.
  • Eighth magnitude. Less than 8ml/s.
  • zero magnitude. They don't flow, it's usually a historic flow site.

There are also seeps, which are small springs whose water filters through a permeable soil; fissures, which flow through cracks or faults in the earth; and pipes, through which water flows from underground cavities.

water purity

pristine natural places

The springs are characterized by having water that is pure enough to be considered fit for human consumption. This is because the water is taken directly from an underground reservoir. The so-called aquifers fulfill a natural protective function against water contamination from other sources, such as rivers or oceans.

However, this water is subject to very strict quality controls before it can be consumed. To carry out the extraction and commercialization of spring water, companies must register in the General Sanitary Food Registry administered by AESAN (Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition). Despite this, there are still many companies that work in bottled water in Spain. Only in Castilla y León More than 600 million liters of spring water are bottled each year, which represents barely 10,5% of the national production.

future of springs

Currently, the accumulation of groundwater or aquifers is being severely affected by human activities. Overexploitation of groundwater without giving it the necessary time to regenerate, which translates into less availability.

In addition, the overexploitation of groundwater sufficiently affects the quality of the water. Also, the water quality of these groundwater sources will be affected. If this continues, we could see these precious aquifers depleted. Experts in the field have warned of a worrying reduction in available groundwater resources, putting millions of people around the world at risk.

Today almost all bodies of water are threatened by pollution and springs in general are no exception. This is negative because they are an important water resource for a small number of humans and animals. Also, many are a constant supply from rivers and wetlands.

Recreational activities such as fishing, hiking, and camping that have flourished in and around the springs in recent years have been somewhat risky because debris could enter the waters and affect not only the quality of the springs, but also their beauty. Another hazard is pumping, which affects the amount of liquid in the spring.

Flora and fauna

Springs are not the most biodiverse bodies of water; often the perennial water types host some freshwater fish, including trout. Some amphibians and reptiles spend a lot of time there, and mammals and birds go there to drink, seek shade, or forage. Insects are much more common around them, the dragonfly, Somatochlora hineana, is a species that depends on the flow of spring water in a small area of ​​the United States.

Larger springs can support a wider variety of life forms. For example, the springs at Bennett Springs State Park in the United States are known for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brown trout (Salmo trutta). Others, due to the concentration of carbon dioxide or minerals in their waters, they cannot support fish or other animals, but they can harbor bacteria and other microbes.

Regarding vegetation, they can be surrounded by almost any type, including forests and grasslands, since they are not exclusive to biomes or ecosystems.

I hope that with this information you can learn more about what springs are and their characteristics.


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