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D6106-97 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide
🌍 Scope and Purpose of the Guide
This standard guide covers a series of options for establishing nomenclature of groundwater aquifers. It does not specify a course of action but provides instructions and suggestions for authors of hydrogeologic reports. The guide discusses water-bearing units ranked from largest to smallest: aquifer systems, aquifers, and zones, and suggests sources for aquifer names including lithologic terms, rock-stratigraphic units, and geographic names.
The guide is not a substitute for professional judgment and should be used in conjunction with education and experience. It is intended to assist authors in assigning appropriately derived and formatted aquifer nomenclature.
⚠️ Note: This guide should not be used as the sole criterion or basis of comparison and does not replace or relieve professional judgment. It is a modification of a previously published report.
📛 Nomenclature Hierarchy and Sources
The guide establishes a flexible hierarchy for water-yielding rocks. The terms used from largest to smallest are: aquifer system, aquifer, and zone. Suggested sources for aquifer names include lithologic terms, rock-stratigraphic units, and geographic names. Confining units should not be named unless it clearly promotes understanding of the aquifer system.
| 🟦 Term | 📏 Definition | 📐 Example |
|---|---|---|
| Aquifer System | Largest water-bearing unit | High Plains Aquifer System |
| Aquifer | Intermediate unit | Ogallala Aquifer |
| Zone | Smallest unit | Zone A |
It is suggested that authors consider first not naming aquifers in reports, unless necessary for clarity.
🚫 Categories to Avoid in Aquifer Naming
The guide identifies several categories that should be avoided as sources for aquifer names. These include:
- Time-stratigraphic names
- Relative position
- Alphanumeric designations
- Depositional environment
- Depth of occurrence
- Acronyms
- Hydrologic conditions
| 🚫 Category | 📌 Reason |
|---|---|
| Time-stratigraphic | Not recommended for aquifer naming |
| Relative position | Should be avoided |
| Alphanumeric | Should be avoided |
| Depositional environment | Not suggested |
| Depth of occurrence | Should be avoided |
| Acronyms | Not recommended |
| Hydrologic conditions | Should be avoided |
These categories occur in published documents but should be avoided to maintain consistency and clarity.
💡 Tip: When naming aquifers, prefer lithologic terms, rock-stratigraphic units, or geographic names as sources. This ensures a standardized approach.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔍 What is the purpose of ASTM D6106-97?
The guide provides options for establishing nomenclature of groundwater aquifers and offers instructions for hydrogeologic reports.
💡 What are the recommended sources for aquifer names?
Recommended sources include lithologic terms, rock-stratigraphic units, and geographic names.
⚡ Should confining units be named?
Confining units should not be named unless it clearly promotes understanding of the aquifer system.
📌 What categories should be avoided when naming aquifers?
Categories to avoid include time-stratigraphic names, relative position, alphanumeric designations, depositional environment, depth of occurrence, acronyms, and hydrologic conditions.