aquifer-is a wet underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock or unconsolidated materials (gravel, Sand, silt, or clay) from which groundwater can be usefully extracted using a water well.
WHILE
Aquiclude-An impermeable body of rock or stratum of sediment that acts as a barrier to the flow of groundwater
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An aquifer is a permeable underground layer that holds water and allows it to flow, while an aquitard is a dense, impermeable layer that restricts or inhibits the flow of water. Aquifers can store and transmit water easily, while aquitards act as barriers preventing water movement.
An aquifer is different from an aquitard because an aquifer allows water to pass through whereas an aquitard does not.
An aquitard is a geologic formation that has low permeability and restricts the flow of water, acting as a barrier to groundwater movement. It has the ability to slow down the movement of water but generally does not completely prevent water flow.
The bedrock below an aquifer is called the water table. For example if a hole is dug into sand, very wet and saturated sand at shallow depth this would represent the aquifer and the level to which the water rises in this hole would be called the water table.
The aquifer cannot be recharged fast enough
There are several problems: # This aquifer carries water to the oceans, just like above ground rivers do. This cuts off a nutrient and thermal source that ocean life depends on. # This aquifer commonly supports the land above it, so removing the water can create sink holes. # This aquifer commonly supplies multiple wells, so removing water at a new place may change how much and how deep others may have to go, and what contaminants they will see. # This aquifer frequently contains things that are unsafe to be drunk, so additional treament will be necessary. (Water quality usually changes more slowly for groundwater sources, than does a river, so that helps.) # Drawing water from this aquifer draws additional organisms from the vadose zone (and above), which will alter water quality over time. # The hole fails over time (ground settles, casings corrode, other wells lower water table), and additional expense has to be spent on into the future to maintain / repair / abandon it.
The Edwards Aquifer is located in south-central Texas, primarily under the San Antonio region, while the Ogallala Aquifer is located in the Great Plains region of the United States, extending from South Dakota to Texas. The Ogallala Aquifer is geographically north of the Edwards Aquifer.