Aquifers

• What is an Aquifer?

  Aquifers are underground layers of permeable rock, soil, or sediment that store large amounts of water.
• What is an aquifer?

  An underground layer of rock and soil that can hold and transmit groundwater.
• Why are aquifers essential sources of freshwater?

  They store and supply groundwater for various uses.
• How does natural filtration in aquifers work?

  Water seeps through soil and rock layers, filtering impurities.
• How do wells relate to aquifers?

  Wells are drilled to extract water from aquifers.
• What are the key uses of aquifer water?

  • Drinking Water: Over 2 billion people depend on it.
  • Agriculture: Used for irrigation in dry regions.
  • Industry: Water for manufacturing and cooling processes.
• What is a confined aquifer?

  An aquifer under pressure between layers of impermeable rock.
• What is an unconfined aquifer?


  An aquifer with an open top directly in contact with the surface.
• What are the main differences between confined and unconfined aquifers?

  | Feature | Confined Aquifer | Unconfined Aquifer |

  |---|---|---|

  | Depth | Deeper | Shallower |

  | Pressure | High | Low |

  | Containment | Bounded top/bottom | Open top |

  | Water Table | Not directly in contact | Directly in contact |
• What happens to groundwater in confined aquifers?

  It is under pressure and does not move freely.
• If you were to drill a well into a confined aquifer, what would you expect to happen?

  Water would flow out under pressure.
• How does pollution affect aquifers?

  It can contaminate the water, making it unsafe.
• What is the significance of aquifers in terms of sustainability?

  They provide a reliable water source but can be depleted.