Which option best describes the soil texture CL as related to aquitards?

Which option best describes the soil texture CL as related to aquitards?

• A. A coarse-grained, high-permeability soil
• B. A gravel-dominated soil with rapid drainage
• C. A silt-dominated soil with moderate permeability
• D. A clay-dominated soil with very low permeability

Answer: (D)

In aquifer behavior, an aquitard is a layer that restricts groundwater flow because its permeability is very low. Clay-rich textures impede water movement because clay minerals swell and create a tortuous, highly retentive pore structure, which reduces hydraulic conductivity. The texture code CL stands for clay loam, meaning a soil with a substantial clay fraction but some other minerals mixed in. This combination tends to produce low permeability, so it behaves like an aquitard. Coarse-grained or gravel-dominated soils drain and transmit water readily, not restricting flow, while a silt-dominated soil typically has moderate permeability. The clay-dominated, very low permeability description best fits the aquitard concept for CL.

In aquifer behavior, an aquitard is a layer that restricts groundwater flow because its permeability is very low. Clay-rich textures impede water movement because clay minerals swell and create a tortuous, highly retentive pore structure, which reduces hydraulic conductivity. The texture code CL stands for clay loam, meaning a soil with a substantial clay fraction but some other minerals mixed in. This combination tends to produce low permeability, so it behaves like an aquitard. Coarse-grained or gravel-dominated soils drain and transmit water readily, not restricting flow, while a silt-dominated soil typically has moderate permeability. The clay-dominated, very low permeability description best fits the aquitard concept for CL.