Question

Which of the following is the most reasonable explanation of why a well drilled into an aquifer would fail to produce water?

A) The aquifer has been over-pumped, leading to a drop in the water table.
B) The well was not drilled deep enough to reach the water-bearing layer.
C) There is a geological barrier, such as impermeable rock, blocking the flow of water.
D) The well was contaminated with pollutants, making the water unfit for consumption.

Answer 1

The most reasonable explanation for a well's inability to produce water from an aquifer is the over-pumping of the aquifer, which leads to a decreased water table and potentially other environmental issues such as saltwater intrusion and land subsidence.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most reasonable explanation of why a well drilled into an aquifer would fail to produce water is option A) The aquifer has been over-pumped, leading to a drop in the water table. Groundwater extraction can create a cone of depression around a well, which can lower the regional water table significantly - an effect known as groundwater mining. Over-pumping can also lead to other issues such as saltwater intrusion, where the decrease in freshwater causes saltwater to intrude into freshwater aquifers, particularly near coastlines.

Additionally, over-extraction of groundwater can cause land subsidence and the formation of sinkholes due to changes in underground support structures. It is important to maintain sustainable water use to prevent these kinds of environmental impacts and to keep groundwater sources reliable for future use.