1/17/2021 4 Different Types of Geological Formations of Groundwater

An aquifer is a saturated formation of the earth. It not only stores the water but also yields it in adequate quantity. Aquifers ar
highly permeable formations and hence they are considered as main sources of groundwater applications. Unconsolidated
deposits of sand and gravel are examples of an aquifer.

Aquifers are classi ed into two types based on their occurrence which are as follows :

Uncon ned aquifer

Con ned Aquifer

Uncon ned aquifer

An uncon ned aquifer is an aquifer which has free water surface – which means the water table exists for this type of aquife
This is also called as water table aquifer or free aquifer or phreatic aquifer. Uncon ned aquifers are recharged by the in ltrat
of precipitation from the ground surface.

Fig 1: Aquifers – Con ned, Uncon ned

Con ned Aquifer

A con ned aquifer is an aquifer con ned between two impermeable beds such as aquifuge, aquiclude, etc. The water in the
con ned 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 con ned aquifer. The recharge of con ned aquifer occurs at a place whe
it exposes to the ground surface.

2. Aquitard
An aquitard is also a saturated formation. It permits the water through it but does not yield water in su cient quantity as mu
as aquifer does. It is because of their partly permeable nature. But however, if there is an aquifer under the aquitard then the
water from aquitard may seep into the aquifer. Sandy clay is a perfect example of an aquitard. Here, the clay particles block th
voids present in the sand and make it partly permeable.

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1/17/2021 4 Different Types of Geological Formations of Groundwater

Fig 2: Aquitard and Aquiclude

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

4. Aquifuge
An aquifuge is an impermeable geological formation which is neither porous nor permeable – which means it cannot store
water in it and at the same time it cannot permit water through it. Compact rock is an example of aquifuge.

Fig 3: Aquiclude and Aquifuge

Comparison of Groundwater formations

The above-described geological groundwater formations are compared in the table below which gives a better idea about the
properties.

Geological formations/ Properties Aquifer Aquitard Aquiclude Aquifuge

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1/17/2021 4 Different Types of Geological Formations of Groundwater

Water storage Yes Yes Yes No

Permeability of water Permeable Partly permeable Impermeable Impermeable

Yield of water Yes Yes but slow yielding Do not yield Do not yield

Examples Sand, Gravel Sandy clay Clay Compact rocks such as granite, basalt etc

Read More: Bioswale – Design, Applications and Advantages

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Sadanandam Anupoju
EDITOR

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