Groundwater Hydrology MCQ with answer and solution

Concept

An aquifer is an underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock or soil. When an impermeable layer of rock or soil overlies the aquifer, it is called a confined bed or aquiclude, but the confined bed itself as a geological formation of overburden is termed an aquiclude or confining layer.

Step-by-step solution

1. Understand the geological formations related to groundwater. An aquifer is a water-bearing stratum. 2. When an aquifer is sealed from above by an impermeable layer of material (such as clay), this confining layer is known as an aquiclude. 3. Let us look at the options given in the question. Option (A) is Aquiclude, option (B) is Artesian Aquifer, and option (C) is Perched Aquifer. 4. The confined bed of impervious material itself is called an aquiclude. Answer: (A) Aquiclude

Explanation

An aquiclude is an impermeable geological formation that contains water but cannot transmit it significantly. When it acts as an overburden confining an aquifer, it is referred to as the aquiclude or confining bed.

Why the other options are wrong

B: Artesian aquifer is the water-bearing stratum under pressure, not the bed itself. C: Perched aquifer is a localized body of water above the main water table. D: Incorrect because option A is correct.

Shortcut

Remember: 'Aquiclude' contains 'clude' like 'exclude' – it excludes water flow.

Common mistake

Students often confuse the confined aquifer itself with the confining layer (aquiclude).