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Where the removal of groundwater is greater than replenishment, water can be replaced by ____________.

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Final answer:

Water can be replaced by artificially recharging aquifers using surface water or designated recharge areas to prevent negative effects such as land subsidence and saltwater intrusion.

Step-by-step explanation:

Where the removal of groundwater is greater than replenishment, water can be replaced by artificially recharging the aquifer, through methods such as surface water infiltration from rivers, lakes, reservoirs, or the deliberate use of recharge areas. These recharge areas allow surface water to infiltrate the ground and replenish the underground aquifers, countering the effects of groundwater mining, which includes the sinking of land (subsidence), the formation of sinkholes, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater zones.

It is important to manage water resources carefully, particularly in arid regions where groundwater serves as a critical source of fresh water. Additionally, changes such as global warming have the potential to shift precipitation patterns and accelerate glacier melting, further exacerbating water supply crises around the world.

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