Question

Which problems can mining groundwater cause for an aquifer?

A. It adds pollution to wells.
B. It removes water more quickly than it can be replaced.
C. It becomes too expensive to maintain the aquifer.
D. It causes porous rock to suddenly harden.

Answer 1

Groundwater mining can lead to depletion of an aquifer, saltwater intrusion, and subsidence/sinkholes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Groundwater mining can cause several problems for an aquifer. Firstly, it removes water more quickly than it can be replaced, leading to a drop in the water table. This can result in the depletion of the aquifer and the need to drill deeper, more expensive wells. Secondly, overpumping of fresh water aquifers near ocean coastlines can cause saltwater intrusion, where saltwater enters the fresh water zones. Finally, a drop in the water table can lead to problems of subsidence and sinkholes.