OK, We have been studying sediments and soil. More specifically, the percolation and absorption of soil. We looked at how different soils percolated and absorbed water. Now, we are studying groundwater, water tables, and aquifers. So I understand what all that is and that an aquifer is either confined or unconfined.

 

A confined aquifer is an aquifer that is surrounded by impermeable layers, or layers that the water cannot percolate through.

 

An unconfined aquifer is an aquifer that has an impermeable layer at the bottom; and the sides? Anyway, it has no layer or a permeable layer of soil above it.

 

Therefore, my question:

 

If it rains on an impermeable layer (the layer is the top layer of soil) and the rainwater collects in a puddle (of an undetermined size) and sits there, is it an unconfined aquifer?

By your terms, yes, it is. I don't know about other people's terms.

But, officially. Scienctifically, would it be considered an aquifer?

Soil is not impermeable, so I'd have to say no. The rate of absorbtion of water may slow to undetectable by the eye, but rest assured its still a whole lot faster than an actual impermeable surface.

I thought aquifers were specifically subsurface.

Clay is considered impermeable. And naturally, bedrock, the solid rock layer (R horizon) is impermeable. Isn't that considered soil?

Clay can be considered a type of soil (soil contains grains of rock and humus).

 

But still I wouldn't call a puddle an aquifer because I think aquifers are sposed to be under the ground.

Yeah, it would make more sense if it were defined as being underground.