apollo2011 Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap'n Refsmmat Posted February 13, 2004 Share Posted February 13, 2004 By your terms, yes, it is. I don't know about other people's terms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apollo2011 Posted February 14, 2004 Author Share Posted February 14, 2004 But, officially. Scienctifically, would it be considered an aquifer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fafalone Posted February 14, 2004 Share Posted February 14, 2004 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skye Posted February 14, 2004 Share Posted February 14, 2004 I thought aquifers were specifically subsurface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apollo2011 Posted February 14, 2004 Author Share Posted February 14, 2004 Clay is considered impermeable. And naturally, bedrock, the solid rock layer (R horizon) is impermeable. Isn't that considered soil? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skye Posted February 14, 2004 Share Posted February 14, 2004 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apollo2011 Posted February 15, 2004 Author Share Posted February 15, 2004 Yeah, it would make more sense if it were defined as being underground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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