Akvifeerissa

Akvifeerissa is a geological formation that contains and transmits groundwater. It is an underground layer of permeable rock, sediment, or soil from which groundwater can be extracted. The term is Finnish for aquifer. Aquifers are crucial for supplying drinking water, irrigation, and industrial processes in many regions. The presence and capacity of an aquifer are determined by the rock or sediment's porosity and permeability. Porosity refers to the amount of empty space within the material, while permeability describes how easily water can flow through it.

Aquifers can be unconfined or confined. Unconfined aquifers are directly connected to the surface and their upper boundary is the water table. Confined aquifers, on the other hand, are trapped between two impermeable layers, known as aquitards or aquicludes. Water in confined aquifers is under pressure, which can lead to artesian wells if the pressure is sufficient to cause water to rise above the aquifer's upper boundary. Groundwater within aquifers is replenished through a process called recharge, which typically occurs when precipitation infiltrates the ground and makes its way down to the aquifer. Over-extraction of groundwater can lead to a lowering of the water table, land subsidence, and in coastal areas, saltwater intrusion. Sustainable management of aquifers is therefore essential to ensure long-term water availability.