This week, as a part of National Science Week, we're focussing on groundwater sampling and why it's an important piece of work being delivered by Resources Victoria.
Groundwater is water stored beneath the earth's surface in porous rock formations known as aquifers.
It's important that we understand groundwater as it allows us to monitor changes in the natural environment due to activities such as mining.
Groundwater is a key component of the water cycle and is an important resource used for irrigation and drinking water in many parts of Australia.
The composition of groundwater can tell us about the geology the water has been in contact with, how it entered the aquifer and how fast it moves underground.
Groundwater chemistry can also tell us about the quality and potential uses of the water.
Through the Victorian Critical Minerals Roadmap, our scientists get samples of groundwater from deep holes drilled into aquifers known as bores.
These samples are then sent to specialist laboratories to measure the concentrations of major and trace elements in the water.
This data is made publicly available and can be used by other government departments, farmers, Traditional Owners, environmental groups and researchers to help understand and monitor the state's water resources.
For example, farmers and local communities can use soil and groundwater data to better understand nutrient profiles and the quality of local groundwater resources.
