Akvifers

Akvifers are underground layers of permeable rock, sediment, or soil that hold and transmit groundwater. They are crucial sources of fresh water for drinking, agriculture, and industry. The term "akvifer" comes from the Latin words "aqua" meaning water and "ferre" meaning to bear or carry. The ability of an akvifer to store and yield water depends on its porosity, which is the amount of empty space within the material, and its permeability, which is the ease with which water can flow through it. Common akvifer materials include sandstone, gravel, and fractured bedrock.

Groundwater within an akvifer is replenished through a process called recharge, which occurs when precipitation seeps into the ground. In some cases, akvifers can be recharged by rivers or lakes. The extraction of groundwater from an akvifer is known as abstraction. Over-abstraction can lead to a decline in the water table, potentially causing wells to run dry and land subsidence. Akvifers can be classified as unconfined, where the water table is exposed to the atmosphere, or confined, where the groundwater is trapped between impermeable layers of rock or sediment. Understanding akvifer systems is essential for sustainable water management.