Final answer:
An aquifer is an underground layer of rock or sediment that can store and transmit water. In order for a rock or sediment layer to be considered an aquifer, it needs to have permeability and porosity.
Step-by-step explanation:
An aquifer is an underground layer of rock or sediment that can store and transmit water.
For a rock or sediment layer to be considered an aquifer, it needs to have/be:
- Permeability: The ability of a geologic material to transport fluids. It depends on factors such as porosity (the open space within the rock) and the size and connectivity of the open spaces. Rocks that are permeable, such as sandstone and limestone, make good aquifers because they can yield significant water.
- Porosity: The percentage of volume of open space compared to the total rock volume. Sedimentary rocks formed from well-sorted sediment tend to have high porosity due to the abundant spaces between the grains. High porosity allows for more water to be stored in the rock.
Therefore, in order for a rock or sediment layer to be considered an aquifer, it needs to have both permeability and porosity.