Which becomes a problem when mining groundwater continues?(1 point)
Responses
It causes porous rock to suddenly harden.
It causes porous rock to suddenly harden.
It becomes too expensive to maintain the aquifer.
It becomes too expensive to maintain the aquifer.
It removes water more quickly than it can be replaced.
It removes water more quickly than it can be replaced.
It adds pollution to wells.
It removes water more quickly than it can be replaced.
The correct response is: It removes water more quickly than it can be replaced.
The correct answer is: It removes water more quickly than it can be replaced.
To determine the answer, we need to understand the process of mining groundwater and its impact on the aquifer.
Groundwater mining refers to the excessive extraction of groundwater from an aquifer, which is an underground layer of water-bearing rock or sediment. When groundwater is extracted at a faster rate than it can be naturally replenished, it leads to a variety of problems, including:
1. Depletion of the aquifer: Continuous and excessive extraction of groundwater reduces the water level in the aquifer, resulting in its depletion. This means that the amount of water being removed is greater than the amount being replenished by natural processes such as rainfall or underground flows.
2. Subsidence: When groundwater is removed, the pore spaces in the underground geological formations become empty, causing the sediments and rocks to compact. This compaction leads to subsidence, which is the sinking or settling of the land surface. Subsidence can have severe consequences such as damage to infrastructure, including buildings, roads, and pipelines.
3. Saltwater intrusion: In coastal areas, excessive groundwater pumping can cause saltwater from the ocean to infiltrate the aquifer. As the freshwater is depleted, the saltwater moves in to fill the void, resulting in the contamination of groundwater and rendering it unsuitable for drinking or irrigation purposes.
4. Ecosystem impacts: Groundwater extraction impacts the ecological balance by affecting surface water bodies and wetland systems that rely on groundwater for stability. Reduced groundwater levels can lead to the drying up of streams, lakes, and wetlands, which can harm fish and wildlife habitats.
So, out of the given options, the correct answer is: It removes water more quickly than it can be replaced.