SPECIFIC RETENTION (OF A WATER-TABLE AQUIFER)

Generally, a measure of the water-retaining capacity of a porous medium. The amount of water held in saturated rock or soil after the excess gravitational water has drained away as compared to the total volume of the rock or soil. Specific retention is dependent on both pore characteristics as well as factors affecting the surface tension, such as temperature, viscosity, mineral composition of the water, etc. Also referred to as Field Capacity or Water-Holding Capacity. Also see Porosity and Effective Porosity.