artesien

Artésien is a term used in geology and hydrology to describe groundwater that is stored under pressure in a confined aquifer. When a well is drilled into such an aquifer, the natural pressure can force water up the borehole and, in favorable cases, to the surface without pumping, producing a flowing artesian well. If the pressure is insufficient to reach the surface, the water level within the borehole rises above the surrounding aquifer, forming a non-flowing artesian well.

Key conditions for artesian water include a confined aquifer bounded above by an impermeable or nearly impermeable layer, and a recharge area located at a higher elevation relative to the well. The aquifer must be recharged slowly enough that the overlying layer can trap the water’s pressure. The term artésien derives from French, linked to the Artois region, and the English form artesian entered scientific usage to describe these pressurized systems.

Global occurrences and significance vary, but major examples include large artesian basins such as the Great Artesian Basin in Australia, one of the world’s most important groundwater resources. Artesian conditions occur in many regions and have historically provided reliable water supplies in arid and semi-arid areas, supporting communities, agriculture, and industry.

Management of artesian systems emphasizes sustainable withdrawal to maintain hydraulic head and natural discharge. Over-extraction can lower pressure, reduce surface flow, and cause subsidence or depletion of springs. In practice, engineers and hydrologists monitor water levels, regulate pumping, and consider recharge and climatic factors in water-resource planning. In English, artesian is the standard term; artesien appears mainly in non-English language contexts.