Aquifer

An aquifer is a saturated formation of the earth. It not only stores the water but also yields
it in adequate quantity. Aquifers are highly permeable formations and hence they are considered
as main sources of groundwater applications. An aquifer is a ground-water reservoir composed of
geologic units that are saturated with water and sufficiently permeable to yield water in a usable
quantity to wells and springs.

Sand and gravel deposits, sandstone, limestone, and fractured, crystalline rocks are
examples of geological units that form aquifers.

The water route which forms the water channel, remains below the river bed. It is formed
through alluvium of river. Wells located in most permeable rocks on river banks yield water in
sufficient quantity because infiltration from the river maintains the quantity of groundwater. In
internal valleys their formation streams remain absent.
Replenishing of giant reservoirs takes place in those areas where infiltration of rain water
and reach of contemporary streams is up to lower levels of the earth. Volcanic rocks can also form
permeable aquifers. Basalt lava flow is more permeable as compared to limestone.
Other permeable parts found in volcanic rocks are mainly permeable parts in flow breccias
amidst lava layers, lava pipelines, fissures and joints are important. Big springs of the United
States of America are mostly with basalt. Revolute has lesser permeability in comparison to basalt.

Aquifers provide two important functions:

1. To transmit ground water from areas of recharge to areas of discharge

2. To provide a storage medium for useable quantities of ground water
The amount of water a material can hold depends upon its porosity.
Types of Aquifer
o Unconfined aquifer

An unconfined aquifer is an aquifer which has free water surface – which means the water
table exists for this type of aquifer. This is also called as water table aquifer or free aquifer or
phreatic aquifer. Unconfined aquifers are recharged by the infiltration of precipitation from the
ground surface.

An unconfined aquifer is one in which a water table varies in undulating form and in slope,
depending on areas of recharge and discharge, and permeability. Contour maps and profiles of the
water table can be prepared from elevations of water in wells that tap the aquifer to determine the
quantities of water available and their distribution and movement.

o Confined Aquifer

A confined aquifer is an aquifer confined between two impermeable beds such as aquifuge,
aquiclude, etc. The water in the confined aquifer will be under greater pressure which is greater
than atmospheric pressure. Hence, the water level shown by piezometer is always higher than the
top level of the confined aquifer. The recharge of confined aquifer occurs at a place where it
exposes to the ground surface.

Confined aquifers, also known as artesian or pressure aquifers, occur where groundwater
is confined under pressure greater than atmospheric by overlying relatively impermeable strata.
Water enters a confined aquifer in an area where the confining bed rises to the surface. Water may
also enter by leakage through a confining bed. Confined aquifers display only small changes in
storage and serve primarily as conduits for conveying water from recharge areas to locations of
natural or artificial discharge.

Aquiclude
An aquiclude is a geological formation which is impermeable to the flow of water. It
contains a large amount of water in it but it does not permit water through it and also does not yield
water. It is because of its high porosity. Clay is an example of aquiclude.

Formulas related to aquifer

Well Discharge Rate

𝑚3
𝑄=
𝑑

Transmissivity of aquifer

𝑚2
KD= 𝑑

r1, r2 = respective distances of the piezometers from the pumping well (m)

Transmissivity

T = KhD

Kh - average horizontal conductivity

D - aquifer thickness
Calculation of Discharge in Confined Aquifer Using Theim’s Formula for
Steady Radial Flow:
Discharge through confined aquifer can be calculated from the formula
𝑟
2.303𝑄 𝑙𝑜𝑔
𝑟𝑤
𝐾=
2𝜋 𝑚 (ℎ − 𝐻2 )

Consider that the recharge to the aquifer within the influence zone of the pumped well equals the
rate of discharge of the well so that the drawdown remains stabilized and therefore steady state
exists.

Where:
K = coefficient of permeability
m = thickness of aquifer
rw = radius of the well
T = transmissibility of aquifer = Km

The above equation is called equilibrium or Thiem’s equation and is used to determine
piezometric head at any point at a radial distance r from the center of the well. Carrying the logic
further if the piezometric heads in two observation wells say h1 and h2 at two points r1 and r2
distance radially away respectively from the center of the pumped well are measured during the
pumping test, coefficient of permeability ‘K can be easily calculated. The formula can be written
as follows (r2 > r1). The above method is popularly called Thiem’s method.
Calculation of Discharge in Unconfined Aquifer Using Theim’s Formula for Steady Flow:
Q = K A I = 2πr K h dh/dr

Integrating the equation (1) between limits h = H2 at r = rw h = head at any distance r

Equation (a) can be used to determine the distribution of head radially outward from the well. If
the values of head h1 and h2 at any two observation wells at a distance r1 and r2 respectively (r2 >
r1) from the test well are measured, coefficient of permeability K can be measured by
substituting values in equation (a) above.

Then taking limit when h = H1 at r = R, (the radius of influence) equation (a) will become

It may be mentioned that in equation (a) as well as (b) H2 is head at well and — therefore is
equal to the depth of water in the well.
Sichardt’s formula may be used to calculate radius of influence R.

It is expressed below to recapitulate:

R = 3000 s√K
Where:
R = radius of influence in meters
s = drawdown at well in meters
K = coefficient of permeability in m/sec.
Longno, Joanne Cristy October 11, 2019

CE593 / TF 7:30-9:00pm Signature

Activity 3
Aquifer and Aquiclude