Which of the following parameters is mainly influenced by hydraulic conductivity?

Transmissivity is predominantly influenced by hydraulic conductivity because it represents the ability of a material to transmit water through it. In essence, transmissivity is a measure of how much water can be transmitted horizontally through a unit width of the aquifer. It is calculated by multiplying the thickness of the aquifer by the hydraulic conductivity of the material.

Hydraulic conductivity reflects the ease with which water can move through porous materials and is a function of several factors, including the size and arrangement of the pores, the fluid viscosity, and the properties of the solid matrix. Therefore, changes in hydraulic conductivity directly affect transmissivity values, making it an essential parameter in groundwater studies and engineering applications concerning aquifers and well design.

The remaining parameters—porosity, specific yield, and piping—are not directly influenced by hydraulic conductivity in the same manner. Porosity refers to the void spaces in a material, specific yield relates to the amount of water that can be drained from the material under gravity, and piping is an erosion process related to flow dynamics, not directly linked to hydraulic conductivity. Thus, focusing on the relationship between hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity provides clarity on the significant role that hydraulic conductivity plays in water movement through geological formations.