What is an aquifer in your own words?
An aquifer is a body of rock and/or sediment that holds groundwater. Groundwater is the word used to describe precipitation that has infiltrated the soil beyond the surface and collected in empty spaces underground.
Why are aquifers so important?
Aquifers are critically important Municipal, irrigation, and industrial water supplies are provided through large wells. Multiple wells for one water supply source are called wellfields. Using ground water from deep, confined aquifers provides more protection from surface water contamination.
What is aquifer in water?
When a water-bearing rock readily transmits water to wells and springs, it is called an aquifer. Wells can be drilled into the aquifers and water can be pumped out. Precipitation eventually adds water (recharge) into the porous rock of the aquifer.
How aquifers are formed?
Similar to a below-ground sponge, aquifers are the natural accumulation of runoff and precipitation. Below the surface, this runoff then percolates into crevices between rocks, silt and other material.
How are aquifers affecting earth?
Some deep aquifers may take thousands of years to replenish. Some consequences of aquifer depletion include: Lower lake levels or—in extreme cases—intermittent or totally dry perennial streams. These effects can harm aquatic and riparian plants and animals that depend on regular surface flows.
What is the main characteristic of an aquifer?
Aquifers are characterized by petro-physical properties such as hydraulic conductivity (alternatively called permeability ), transmissivity (product of hydraulic conductivity and aquifer thickness) and diffusivity (ratio of transmissivity and storage coefficient).
What is an aquifer and why is it important to the region?
Aquifers are underground layers of rock that are saturated with water that can be brought to the surface through natural springs or by pumping.
Why aquifer is important in groundwater source?
Aquifers are underground reservoirs. Worldwide, 97% of the planet’s liquid fresh water is stored in aquifers. Major aquifers are tapped on every continent, and groundwater is the primary source of drinking water for more than 1.5 billion people worldwide.
What is aquifer and its type?
An aquifer is an underground layer of porous rocks or permeable rocks that store and retain groundwater levels in the soil. The underground aquifer is built with all types of porous or permeable rock materials, such as sand, gravel, or silt, making it a suitable water absorber.
How deep is an aquifer?
Aquifers occur from near-surface to deeper than 9,000 metres (30,000 ft). Those closer to the surface are not only more likely to be used for water supply and irrigation, but are also more likely to be replenished by local rainfall.
What is aquifer and its types?